INX Intl. is introducing a new product, INXhrc RC high-performance UV- and LED-curable inks. The “hrc” stands for high-renewable content and “RC” is for rigid container. The products are manufactured with clean, renewable, and sustainable ingredients that can be applied for a range of plastics and other surfaces.
“Sustainability is fundamental to the packaging value chain,” says Jim Wegemer, INX director of national accounts. “Printers, package converters and brand owners need to deliver great packaging that follows the guidelines and standards set by retailers, ensures regulatory compliance, and balances sustainability goals with safety and security. The key to creating a sustainable package is ensuring the inks and coatings have a minimal impact on the environment and support the circular economy model of Reduction, Reuse and Recycle for packaging.”
The new product meets Nestlé food packaging standards, meaning that standard “references the Nestlé Guidance Note that outlines the requirements for producing packaging goods acceptable to Nestlé. Any inks used on the package must be formulated with materials that also comply with the guidelines. Some chemicals or compounds may only be allowed to a certain level, and others may not be allowed at all.”
Renee Schouten, director of marketing, noted that the inks are made without volatile organic compounds (VOC) solvents. “The natural components are not derived from food crops. They are non-allergenic and do not include nanomaterials, fluorochemicals, fanal pigments, heavy metals or PTFE.”
The new ink system has been used successfully on rigid plastic and foam drinking cups, Wegemer says. “This is relatively new, and we are also looking at the system for suitability with other packaging such as yogurt, cream cheese, margarine, and other such uses. It’s important to remember that by providing a system with higher renewable content, the solution must also offer excellent printing characteristics and end-product performance, along with great value for the customer.”
INXhrc RC has shown great results. Printers experienced high strength, excellent gloss, and true consistency with vibrant colors on all types of dry-offset rigid packaging presses. It also had superior adhesion and abrasion resistance. Thirteen blending bases, plus opaque white and dense black, are available to be printed on nonporous substrates such as polyester (PET), polystyrene (PS), polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), expanded polystyrene (EPS) and polylactic acid (PLA).
INX reached an agreement with packaging innovator HAVI, which counts McDonald’s as one of its largest customers.
