Zeller+Gmelin launches MetaCure U30

New ink was developed to future-proof print shops in the metal printing sector.

Printing ink manufacturer, Zeller+Gmelin has launched MetalCure U30, an innovative ink series developed to help print shops in the metal printing sector to be up to date regarding application technology and legislation for the near future.

The newly developed product is the successor generation to the Uvalux U3 series, incorporating more than 20 years of practical experience.

Michael Rakoci, product manager for metal decoration at Zeller+Gmelin, said: ‘One of the reasons for developing the new ink series is the ongoing development of printing machines and processing systems. At the same time, the technical application requirements of print shops have increased.

‘Another major challenge is the constantly growing number of legal regulations. This regularly restricts the choice of raw materials available, meaning that we have to constantly take both current and future requirements into account when formulating printing inks and coatings. With the new generation, we are therefore providing our customers with a future-proof product.’

The ink series is suitable for use in food packaging, as confirmed by an analysis carried out by an independent institute.

The formulation of MetalCure U30 was selected so that although lower layer thicknesses are transferred to the sheet, the density is still within the range of the previous generation.

The optimized ink transfer enables a print result with rich colors and a homogeneous ink layer.

Improvements have also been made in terms of formability and curing properties, so that the thermoforming results are also impressive in practice. One advantage for users who have already been using the Uvalux U3 ink series is the identical pigmentation. This means that both products are fully compatible, so that existing mixing formulas can be used unchanged.