Acrylic resins have long been a staple in the printing inks industry. However, with increasing demands for sustainability and efficiency, traditional formulations are being increasingly questioned. Printing ink manufacturer Siegwerk has developed a new solution, UniLeaf, which dispenses with the use of acrylic resins.
UniLeaf is based on Siegwerk's tried-and-tested UniNature product range, which already utilises renewable raw materials. The new formulation completely replaces conventional acrylic resins with polymers derived from bio-based raw materials. Thibaud Liard, Business Unit Head Paper & Board EMEA at Siegwerk, emphasises that UniLeaf therefore represents a fundamental shift in the formulation of water-based flexographic inks. This conversion allows for the modernisation of ink production without significant investment in new technologies, as the bio-based resin system can be integrated into existing processes.
Focus on Sustainability Advantages
UniLeaf's environmental benefits can be measured. Initial industrial tests show that the new printing ink reduces the CO₂ footprint by 50 percent compared to previous solutions. This is achieved through the increased proportion of biogenic carbon, which more than doubles by doing without acrylic resins. Furthermore, UniLeaf enables energy savings of over 15 percent in the drying process without affecting production speed. Thomas Lehnen, Head of Technology Paper & Board EMEA at Siegwerk, highlights that these properties help packaging manufacturers and printers achieve their sustainability goals while simultaneously reducing operating costs.
Source: Siegwerk
