Siegwerk introduces NC-free toolbox for flexible packaging

Siegwerk has launched nitrocellulose (NC)-free toolbox bundling all its NC-free ink products for flexible packaging applications. The new offering combines new developments with Siegwerk’s proven NC-free ink portfolio and includes lamination products and surface applications in gravure and flexo printing. The toolbox is designed to enable customers and brand owners – initially in the EMEA region – to realize recyclable flexible packaging across the full range of application segments.

'Focused on further improving packaging recyclability in the sense of a circular economy, the packaging regulatory landscape is continuously evolving, particularly in the European Union. In this context, packaging structures with NC-based inks are getting increasingly under pressure,' explained Dr Björn Ewig, head of technology flexible packaging EMEA at Siegwerk. Although inks based on nitrocellulose offer many advantages such as high resistance, fast drying and excellent adhesion, making them a standard product in packaging printing for a long time, they can also significantly hinder the material recycling process. For example, they can cause unpleasant odors and discoloration, leading to a lower mechanical strength of the recyclates and, thus, reduced film quality. Consequently, an increasing number of stakeholders along the value chain, such as RecyClass or the German minimum standard, have already adapted their regulations for polyolefin packaging structures, further restricting the use of NC content in packaging. 'Here, our NC-free toolbox comes into play. The new ink series set in the toolbox is a milestone in the development of NC replacement. They are based on a new generation of polyurethane (PU) resins that, for example, give them much better surface resistance. This enables our customers to realize NC-free flexible packaging that is not only recyclable but also offers comparable high packaging performance in lamination and surface applications,' added Ewig.

As one of the leading ink experts worldwide, Siegwerk has been offering NC-free inks for a long time. The newly introduced toolbox for flexible packaging is now bundling its latest generations of NC-free inks, especially for realizing recyclable polyolefin packaging. The toolbox offers customers the full range of color, white, and overprint varnishes for lamination and surface applications in gravure and flexo printing. All the products comply with current recycling guidelines and are available as either ready-to-use ink or masterbatch systems. 'With our toolbox, customers can now easily find the right NC-free inks they need to realize recyclable PE and PP structures but without compromising on packaging or process performance,' said Dr Hanns Martin Kaiser, vice president of flexible packaging EMEA at Siegwerk.

The company’s proprietary PU resin technology, which replaces nitrocellulose, is a significant enabler for the new NC-free toolbox. 'The in-house development of a binder substitute that, on the one hand, enables high performances of our NC-free inks and, on the other hand, supports a safe and easy recycling, once again proves the inventiveness and technology know-how of our ink experts,' said Kaiser.

The company continuously optimizes its formulations toward recyclability to proactively support its customers in developing pioneering sustainable packaging products in a circular economy. Introducing the NC-free toolbox for flexible packaging is another step to meet the demand for circular packaging designs that ensure an excellent recyclate outcome and comply with the latest Design for Recycling guidelines.