Sun Chemical Launches New Sheetfed Offset Ink Technologies

Sun Chemical announces the launch of its new groundbreaking ‘Pace’ technology platform for sheetfed offset inks. SunPak FSP, Sun Chemical’s flagship sheetfed offset low migration ink for food packaging, will be the first ink to transition to the new technology with the launch of SunPak FSP EcoPace.

The inks are designed to support optimal productivity on high-speed modern printing machines and have strong sustainability credentials.

In an era marked by faster machines, lower-quality papers, cost pressures, and sustainability goals, printers are encountering more challenges than ever before. Sun Chemical recognizes these challenges and, as a result, is introducing this revolutionary ink based on innovative binder technology providing higher body and lower tack.

The benefit of the new technology has been proven through rigorous long-term testing to deliver the highest levels of productivity, the lowest applied cost, and the best overall sustainability benefits. Sun Chemical’s dedication to compliance and certifications also ensures that Sun Chemical’s products not only meet but exceed current regulatory requirements.

Pace technology delivers Sun Chemical’s most sustainable offerings yet. This is achieved through a dual approach of selecting vegetable oil-based formulations in which PTFE wax is not used. These formulations deliver the highest bio-renewable content (BRC) supplemented by exceptional performance on press that ensures minimal wastage of paper/board and subsequently reduced usage of energy and solvent wash through fewer stoppages.

The SunPak FSP EcoPace ink range is based on a modular approach that allows printers to interchange the process colors in order to optimize sustainability credentials. For example, in the standard CMYK offering, the inks have a C2C Certified Material Health Certificate at Bronze level but this can be upgraded to Platinum by interchanging the process yellow to a special version.

Additionally, the process inks have a high average bio-renewable content (BRC) rating of 78%, which can be increased further with the introduction of an optional special high BRC process Black that is based on non-fossil fuel sourced carbon, achieving a BRC of 89%.

These inks are designed to perform impressively across a wide range of paper and board materials, ensuring flexibility and outstanding results for customers.

“Sun Chemical recognizes that in such a challenging market, high level productivity is vital to success,” Jim Buchanan, global product director Sheetfed Systems, Sun Chemical, said. “The primary objective for the development of this novel technology was to deliver the most stable high-quality performance across a diverse range of printing requirements, including the most challenging of substrates, while ensuring low misting on high-speed modern printing machines.

“The technology ensures robust, lithographically stable inks that also support short run production due to its fast responsive nature on both closed loop and manually adjusted color control systems,” added Buchanan. “We are grateful to our loyal customers who have partnered with us on this development and validated the technology over a significant period of time across many diverse printing conditions. We are delighted that they are now reaping the benefits and pushing the boundaries in terms of productivity and efficiency.”