The labels and packaging industry has seen an influx of new ink sets, and L&NW recently discussed this topic and more with Niklas Olsson, product manager, Flint Group.

L&NW: How can converters benefit from dual cure inks?
NO: There are a number of benefits for printers using the latest UV LED dual cure ink and coating technologies. The main advantages lie in the quality, flexibility, and cost savings that dual cure inks can offer.

Flint Group was a pioneer in the development of UV LED technology more than 10 years ago, and a forerunner with its revolutionary dual cure technology for over five years. As a result, the EkoCure range is rapidly being adopted across the global label printing market.

LED curing technology, made more accessible through dual cure ink technologies, brings a diverse host of benefits to converters. Where traditional mercury-based UV curing requires time and energy to reach operating temperatures, LED curing benefits from instant on-off operation to support consistent print quality. In addition to this advantage, LED lamps dramatically reduce the demand on maintenance and energy, and come with a service life that can extend beyond 20,000 operating hours.

As label printers assess the benefits of switching from UV to UV LED curing, dual cure ink and coating solutions also enable switching unit by unit, or press by press, thereby enabling the converter’s business to operate with one streamlined ink inventory, minimizing waste and costs.

L&NW:  How do these inks promote sustainability and energy savings?
NO:  Dual cure inks, specifically Flint Group’s EkoCure range, promote sustainability and energy savings through the efficient integration of UV LED curing technology. Compared to traditional UV lamps, UV LED curing units consume significantly less energy and benefit from a much lower operating temperature. Estimates suggest that UV LED curing can result in energy savings of up to 80%.

As well as helping converters to control costs, this reduction in energy consumption contributes to a lower carbon footprint, and helps converters meet their business-wide Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) obligations. Additionally, as international legislation gradually phases out broad-spectrum UV curing lamps due to their mercury content, LED curing becomes an even more appealing alternative. The move toward LED ensures compliance with changing regulations and helps printers avoid potential difficulties in disposing of traditional UV lamps responsibly.

L&NW: What should be known about FCM capabilities for food labels?
NO: When it comes to the printing of food contact materials (FCM), safety and compliance are of utmost importance and therefore converters must use specifically-designed inks and coatings with low migration performance to ensure mitigation of any contamination risk.

Migration can occur in a number of ways – direct migration by having food in contact with the printed surface; penetration migration, where contaminants pass through the printed substrate to the food non-contact side; offset migration, where the printed side of the substrate comes into contact with the non-printed side during storage as a reel or in a stack; or during a cooking or sterilization process, where contaminants are transferred through a gas phase.

Flint Group’s EkoCure ANCORA range of inks with dual cure technology is specifically designed for the printing of food packaging and labels. With documented low migration properties, this ink series meets specific migration levels below 10 ppb or SML (Specific Migration Limit) and is suitable for the most stringent food label and packaging requirements. In addition, EkoCure ANCORA is fully compliant to Swiss Ordinance and Nestle Guidance Note.

The ink is tested using food simulants, such as 95% ethanol, Tenax, and acetic acid at 40°C for 10 days, ensuring it meets food safety standards. Additionally, EkoCure ANCORA demonstrates excellent color strength and adhesion to a wide range of synthetic substrates.

L&NW: How should converters get started in making the transition?
NO:  As with any change to a printing process, it is wise to always work with your supplier partners to ensure a smooth and supported switch. In this case, engaging with your chosen lamp and ink suppliers to gain their insight and expertise will enable a smooth transition.  

As a leader in dual cure technology, converters can work with Flint Group’s technical experts to determine the suitable EkoCure inks and coatings for their specific print applications. Since EkoCure inks are formulated to cure well under different UV LED lamp wavelengths, converters can be assured of consistent and precise color performance.

L&NW: How has Flint Group prioritized sustainability?
NO: Sustainability has become paramount in the packaging and label industry today, driven by consumers’ increasing demand for more sustainable products. It is also clear that just because a product has been designed to be more sustainable from a material perspective, if it has not been produced in a sustainable way, i.e., with a sustainable supply chain, prepress, and print process, then it is not really fulfilling its promise. As a global organization working locally with our customers, we take our commitment to the environment seriously. We have a commitment to support packaging and label markets with responsibly-built products and sustainable solutions designed for circular economies.