Siegwerk introduces water-based inks for paper and board with high renewable carbon content

24 Jun 2021 --- Siegwerk is introducing next-generation water-based inks for paper and board applications, containing high Bio Renewable Content (BRC). 

The UniNature ink and coating range builds on the company’s existing portfolio of inks with renewable content in line with its strategy to develop circular packaging solutions.

The new product range is formulated with renewable and natural components, providing a more environmentally-friendly alternative to conventional inks commonly containing microplastics without impacting paper and board’s recyclability.

“UniNature is our third generation of sustainable water-based inks and coatings for paper and board applications, meeting the requirements of brand owners and packaging converters,” says Hanns Martin Kaiser, vice president for business units paper and board EMEA and liquid food packaging at Siegwerk.

“With its launch, we again deliver on our commitment to enabling the development of new packaging innovations in line with a circular economy.”

High Bio Renewable Content
The new water-based ink and coating solutions are formulated with a high BRC measured according to the ASTM 6866 method.

UniNature products incorporate up to 50 percent renewable carbon content – often 8-9 times more than standard water-based inks. 

Siegwerk’s water-based ink range also provides “excellent” ink performance and color strengths, offering similar resistance levels as current water-based technologies.

User tests have shown improved dot shape, comparable dot gain, high resolubility, and easy cleaning on press, meaning it can be easily exchanged with current products without the need to change equipment, processes or color matches.

Furthermore, high printing speeds are possible on both coated and uncoated papers.

Various paper and board applications
The new ink and coating series is applicable for many paper and board applications, including corrugated board boxes, trays and displays, fast-food packaging, sacks and bags, and cups and wraps.

“Paper is not only already one of the most recycled packaging materials globally, but it also holds great potential to offer a viable substitution for plastic for several packaging uses,” explains Paul Pain, head of water-based technology at Siegwerk.

“And with UniNature, we concretely support the defossilization of fiber-based packaging by reducing the use of fossil-based raw materials in inks.”

Kotkamills partnership
With the Finnish paper and paperboard manufacturer Kotkamills, Siegwerk has proven the high performance of UniNature on a fully recyclable paper cup made of Kotkamills’ ISLA Duo barrier board.

Designed for use with Siegwerk’s Unibase and Uni T colored bases, UniNature inks can be supplied as ready-to-use inks directly from Siegwerk.

However, UniNature extenders and Unibase or Uni T colorbases are more frequently supplied to customers to be mixed on demand to dispense equipment directly to the customer.

“We provide our customers with clear formulation guidelines compliant with relevant regulations for the end use of the packaging,” adds Pain.

“Training and support provided to customers through our OPS program enable the most efficient use of our products in their operations.”

Edited by Joshua Poole