Marken Imaje introduces color-changing thermochromic ink for accurate food sterilization indication

24 Nov 2020 --- Switzerland-based packaging equipment manufacturer Markem Imaje is releasing a thermochromic ink for food packaging, which the company says offers a more noticeable color change to indicate proper sterilization of food products.

Designed for retort sterilization of filled cans or plastic pouches, the ink – branded MS596 – changes from black to blue when the food package reaches the correct temperature between 115 and 125°C.

With growing government regulatory demands for proper coding and marking on cooked food products, there is an increasing interest in product authenticity and quality assurance, says the company.

The ink is designed for manufacturers in search of a highly reliable coding method that can help improve product safety while also achieving a high production rate and high accuracy, it claims.

While thermochromic inks cannot guarantee sterilization has occurred, they assist manufacturers by indicating the process has taken place.

The ink is formulated and manufactured in accordance with the EuPIA (European Printing Ink Association) “Guideline on printing inks applied to the non-food contact surface of food packaging materials and articles” and complies with the EuPIA Exclusion Policy.

Erasing ink problems
Imaje’s new ink looks to improve on previous generations of thermochromic ink, which have presented problems for packaging manufacturers in the past.

MS596 ink changes from blue to black when the safe, correct temperature of a product is reached.One such issue was the smearing of ink codes, leading to illegibility and potentially dangerous outcomes for consumers.

Another problem is the use of methanol in many forms of industry ink. Imaje has not used methanol in any of its inks for the past ten years, saying the company is anticipating necessary regulation on the substance due to the threat it can pose to human health.

Metal cans and plastic films
Markem-Imaje’s MS596 thermochromic ink can be used to print on both metal cans and plastic films. With adhesion to polyolefin pouches, no pre-or post-treatment of the packaging material is required.

The ink offers good contrast on the dedicated white printing area and provides a more apparent color change from black to blue at retort temperature, details the company.

It has an operating temperature from 5 to 40°C, ensuring it can work effectively in a wide range of environmental conditions.

Used in the company’s 9450 continuous inkjet printer, the ink also contributes to printing reliability.

Unlike some earlier generations of thermochromic ink, this innovation will not change color prematurely due to the printer’s temperature effects, rather than the sterilization process, the company notes.

Highlighting colors
Imaje’s latest product joins a growing trend of thermochromic ink and other design features intended to lend quality assurance and draw consumer engagement.

In 2018, Coca-Cola released the first commercial of thermochromic “reveal” ink on its beverage cans, unveiling images that disappeared as the drink was consumed.

Last year, aluminum can giant Ball showcased a myriad of design possibilities for beverage packaging, including tactile printing for a unique touch, glow in the dark ink and high definition printing.

Edited

By Louis Gore-Langton

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