Sun Chemical’s WetFlex Makes First Public Demonstration at drupa

Sun Chemical is partnering with Energy Sciences Inc (ESI), the world’s leading electron beam supplier, and Comexi Group, a global supplier of machines dedicated to the flexible packaging sector, to showcase the WetFlex flexographic printing technology at drupa – its first public demonstration.
 
Being shown on the Comexi stand (Hall 10, Stand C62), WetFlex is a breakthrough technology which delivers wet-on-wet flexographic printing. It is designed to meet the needs of the flexible packaging market for improved print quality, efficiency, and low environmental impact. WetFlex uses the inks, a new generation energy curable ink technology specially developed and patented by Sun Chemical for the process.
 
At drupa, the inks will be wet trapped using Comexi’s new iF2 Icube concept Central Impression (CI) cylinder press and cured instantly by exposure to ESI’s EZCure-DF EB in-line electron beam, which is installed in an innovative ‘short  web path’ press layout. Comexi will show the new optimized EVertical EB inking system and, the system on display will also feature a state-of-the-art nitrogen delivery system from Air Liquide, a world-leading industrial gas supplier.
 
The WetFlex process can be adapted to specially designed modern presses in order to get the maximum performance from the new technology. Under the slogan “Ready for the Future,” Comexi Group will also show a wide range of new devices and processes to reach “efficiency through technology,” one of which is the potential capabilities of inks.
 
One customer already using the WetFlex process and in the process of retro-fitting a second press is Schulz Konstantin Druck GmbH.  
 
“Since we started using the Wetflex process, we have opened up a number of new business opportunities,” said Jürgen Schulz, the owner of Schulz Konstantin Druck GmbH.  “We are now able to offer high quality, VOC-free low migration printing for food packaging quickly and efficiently. The process also allows us to comply easily with the increasing number of environmental regulations as well as helping lower our carbon footprint. In our experience, printers can achieve many advantages from a relatively small investment.”
 
Under the theme “Working for You,” Sun Chemical, a PrintCity alliance member, produces a range of innovative printing inks, pigments and coatings solutions for the whole packaging market.  These include flexo, gravure, energy curable, digital and offset inks as well as broader industry workflow solutions including SmartColour color management solutions, brand protection, FastJet digital presses and new functional barrier coating technologies.  
 
The breadth of these capabilities, combined with Sun Chemical’s wealth of expertise across a wide range of applications, means its customers benefit from increased speed to market, inspirational design and print solutions, and right first-time capabilities day in day out.