Sun Chemical Gains RecyClass Flexible Packaging Certification

Sun Chemical secured RecyClass certification for its solvent-based nitrocellulose (NC) alternative solutions for flexible packaging. 

Sun Chemical is the first to offer a complete recycling-compatible system combining NC-alternative inks and certified lamination adhesives. It is also among the first suppliers to achieve RecyClass certification for solvent-based NC-alternative inks.

The certification strengthens Sun Chemical’s position as an innovator of solutions across flexographic and gravure printing, ensuring packaging producers can increase their and their customers’ recyclability credentials.

Romain Cleret, Product Director, Flexible Packaging, Sun Chemical EMEA, comments: “We are proud to be among the first in Europe to achieve RecyClass certification for versatile solvent-based NC alternative inks and to provide a range of certified solutions for printers of flexible packaging. This system enables our customers to move forward with greater confidence as the industry transitions toward more recyclable packaging systems. We remain focused on continuing this momentum in developing solutions for our customers as the market continues to evolve.”

Sun Chemical developed NC-alternative technologies for flexographic and gravure printing, with its SunUno SoliCycle polyurethane (PU)-based ink range, designed specifically for flexible packaging applications. The system complies with regulatory requirements, without compromising on the performance required for high-quality flexible packaging.

The SunUno SoliCycle ink range is a versatile solution, designed for both surface printing and lamination printing. It is available as ready-made inks and through modular systems with concentrates and technology varnishes, giving converters flexibility to adapt formulations to their production requirements.

With the company’s PU supply chain through its parent company DIC, Sun Chemical can combine internally produced PU resins with its pigments. This allows customers to have a stable printing system with consistent viscosity, together with improved recycling compatibility in comparison to traditional NC-based inks.

Alongside these inks, Sun Chemical offers RecyClass-certified lamination adhesives within its SunLam portfolio. These adhesives are suitable for the PE flexibles recycling streams, including full compatibility with colored PE. 

The ULM adhesives range delivers performance levels ranging from medium to high performance, depending on the structure used. By combining NC-alternative inks with RecyClass-certified SunLam adhesives, Sun Chemical offers converters a complete single-supplier solution designed to support recyclable flexible packaging structures.