Siegwerk, Henkel, Comexi, ESI Demonstrate Printing with EB 730 Curable Inks

Siegwerk, Henkel, Comexi, and ESI joined for a demonstration in Comexi’s Technological Center to show and analyze the benefits that printers can achieve by using GelFlex EB Technology.

Minimum dot gain, consistency and improved mechanical resistances are some of the key advantages of printing with Siegwerk’s EB 730 curable inks rather than conventional solvent inks, which were shown during a one-day event at Comexi’s Technological Centre Manel Xifra Boada (CTEC) on July 19.

The event started with a presentation from PepsiCo. Project Management and Execution Specialist Todd Fayne discussed his company’s Performance with Purpose sustainability agenda.
Energy Sciences Inc.’s Market Development Manager Im Rangwalla explained the GelFlex Intellectual Property Licensing program.

The printing tests were completed on a Comexi F2 WB – capable of printing both water-based and solvent-based inks – that was mechanically modified to print with Siegwerk’s EB 730 inks.
The configuration of aniloxes, tapes and plates was also the result of months of tests, analysis and deep deliberation from the different experts comprising the team.

Additionally, a 7-color job using Siegwerk inks plus a High Gloss EB Curable overprint varnish from Henkel, was printed. The wet on wet flexo application allows for high gloss and superior abrasion resistance as compared to conventional solvent or water-based lacquers.

A total of 8 experts from the 5 different companies collaborated in the event to showcase the results that can be achieved with EB curable inks:

• Single downstream EB unit. Eliminates the need for multiple curing stations vs UV flexo;
• Excellent print quality and great dot gain control;
• A large reduction in VOC;
• Very low energy required to cure;
• Absolute optical control (gloss / COF);
• Printable on both surface and laminated structures;
• EB cure able inks & lacquer meets and exceeds the strict food regulations required by PepsiCo.

“The increased interest for sustainable technologies from converters, the pressure from big brand owners on finding eco-friendly solutions, the appearance of different players competing on EB curable inks for flexo printing and the always present menace of a possible restriction, or even ban, on the solvents is creating a huge momentum on the utilization of this technology that has helped to quickly move it forward,” said Raúl El-Fakdi, flexo brand manager from Comexi.