Siegwerk launches first NC-free surface ink series

Siegwerk has introduced the first nitrocellulose (NC) free ink series specifically designed for surface printing on polyethylene (PE) and polypropylene (PP) packaging.  

The new offering includes NC-free surface solutions for both flexo and gravure printing and has been developed to meet the latest packaging design guidelines, for example from RecyClass and Ceflex, set to actively drive packaging design in the sense of a circular economy.  

‘We have already been offering NC-free inks for lamination for a long time,’ said Björn Ewig, head of technology flexible packaging EMEA at Siegwerk. Together with the company’s newest generation of NC-free solutions for lamination, these new surface ink systems will be part of the company’s recently introduced NC-free toolbox for flexible packaging, initially available to customers in the EMEA region.  

‘With our new NC-free toolbox we now enable printers and converters to better meet the demand for NC-free flexible packaging, ensuring excellent recyclate quality  that meets the latest Design for Recycling (D4R) guidelines without compromising on print or packaging performance,’ added Ewig. 

With their high printability, high heat resistance, quick drying capabilities, and adhesion to various surfaces, inks based on nitrocellulose have long been a commonly used solvent ink type in flexo and gravure printing. However, NC-based inks also happen to be a major concern in recycling. Due to the limited thermal stability of nitrocellulose, they can lead to an unpleasant odor, discoloration, and a lower mechanical strength of the recyclate, which can hinder the material recycling process. That’s why more and more stakeholders along the value chain have already adapted their regulations to further restrict NC content in packaging, according Siegwerk.  

‘With our latest solutions, we have now developed NC-free ink alternatives specifically for surface printing that offer the same technical and mechanical performances as comparable NC-based inks, but with the added benefit of being recyclable,’ said Ewig. All the solutions are fully compliant with current recycling guidelines and are available as either ready-to-use ink or masterbatch systems. 

For all its NC-free solutions, Siegwerk relies on a set of proprietary, self-developed polyurethane binders as a replacement for nitrocellulose, which has already proven itself in terms of excellent printability and high heat and mechanical resistance. Industrial applications of the new flexo and gravure surface inks have already shown good sealing resistance and high rub resistance, confirming suitability for surface printing without the use of an additional OPV, the company reported. 

‘It’s this innovative power that brings pioneering inks and coatings to life, always with the goal to support our customers in realizing sustainable and efficient packaging solutions that comply with existing and upcoming regulatory requirements,’ added Ewig.  

Siegwerk’s new NC-free surface ink systems complement the company’s portfolio of inks and coatings with a sustainable yet economical alternative for the realization of NC-free recyclable packaging.