Sun Chemical to Highlight Eco-Friendly Inks at INFO*FLEX 2017

During FTA INFO*FLEX 2017, Sun Chemical will introduce a new portfolio of eco-friendly inks and showcase how its coatings, inks and HD plate technology can produce packaging that pops off the shelf while enhancing pressroom efficiency.
 
“With more high-speed/high-quality printing demands, tighter regulations on food contact packaging and brand owner requirements for packaging that is unique, brand owners need solutions to meet the changing demands of the industry,” said Penny Holland, VP of marketing, North American Inks, Sun Chemical. “During INFO*FLEX, we look forward to showcasing how our ‘Brighter Ideas’ can help take our customers from concept to shelf to meet their unique packaging needs.”
 
Visitors will be introduced to a new portfolio of eco-friendly inks that provide printers with an expanded offering in the marketplace as current trends move toward greener living, including a new solvent-based ink for lamination applications as well as water- and solvent-based inks for surface printing applications.
 
Flexographic printers looking to integrate sustainable practices into their workflow can also consider SunGraphics SunLite In-Position Plates. Shown to reduce a printer’s carbon footprint, these alternatives to conventional mounted plates are produced using up to 50% less photopolymer, eliminating solvents, VOCs and PVC materials. Printers using the SunLite In-Position plates can take advantage of accurate color-to-color registration and improved safety in handling and durability due to a 70% lower weight than conventional plates.
 
Sun Chemical will highlight a variety of ink systems designed to enhance productivity and meet print quality requirements, including SunUno Solimax. Suitable for surface print applications on a number of the commonly used flexible packaging substrates, this multi-purpose ink system maximizes press room efficiency while simplifying the overall print production process by providing a single platform that can cover multiple end use applications.
 
Designed for flexographic printing on polypropylene and polyethylene films at high speeds, Sun Chemical’s SunStrato Sunester laminating solvent-based family of inks offer maximum color strength, low solvent retention, excellent adhesive and extrusion bonds, clean printing, film versatility, and are suitable for use with conventional and high-performance printing plates.
 
Sun Chemical’s SunStrato Flexo Pure Ultra White for multi-film, high bonds lamination applications, as well as SunSpectro Sunsharp White for surface print applications, are opaque white inks that provide the high opacity needed for improved package appeal.
 
Developed for high-speed flexographic printing on polyethylene film, SunSpectro Sunsharp HR water- and solvent-based inks provide moderate heat resistance of up to 350°F.
 
Sun Chemical’s water-based ink product portfolio addresses the growing use of water-based products for a variety of flexible packaging applications, ranging from surface print on polyethylene and polypropylene to complex lamination structures.
 
Formulated to match GCMI X color standards, Sun Chemical’s SunVisto water-based inks portfolio for paper and paperboard applications are PH stable with excellent coverage and mileage. The low-VOC inks meet the requirements of the Coalition of Northeastern Governors (CONEG).
 
Sun Chemical’s range of coatings will be on display during the show, including a variety of options for satin, matte and gloss printing, in addition to its SunInspire sensory coatings line, which offers special effects that allow a customers’ product packaging to stand out on store shelves visually through high luster metallic, fluorescent, glitter, pearlescent, as well as iridescent finishes. SunInspire tactile coatings, ranging from coarse and gritty to soft and smooth, appeal to the sense of touch. Other coatings in the line can create an interactive experience with color shifting, reticulating, and other aromatic coatings.
 
Designed to enable lightweighting of packaging by removing EVOH polymer layers from packaging, as well as offering improved laminate flexibility, Sun Chemical’s SunBar (Aerobloc) oxygen barrier coatings provide a smooth, homogenous, pinhole-free layer that can be easily overprinted with inks and laminated to a variety of secondary films. SunBar (Aerobloc) is cost-effective, recyclable, biodegradable and press-ready.
 
Through its partnership with acpo, ltd., Sun Chemical can also deliver SunBar (Aerobloc) pre-coated films to converters.
 
Certified by ESKO through a rigorous process, Sun Chemical’s SunGraphics high definition flexographic plate technology, with Esko HD software and CDI high resolution imaging, allows for printing an image quality of up to 4,000 ppi.