Sun Chemical has introduced AquaHeat, a new line of food-safe, bio-based printing inks for packaging used in high-temperature food applications.
The inks are intended to support full-colour printing for uses such as commercial baking and food-service packaging, including products baked in their final packs.
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Sun Chemical stated that the inks are made with food-safe ingredients and have been tested at temperatures of up to 220°C.
The range is aimed at products, including bread, pastries and ready meals.
According to the company, the inks’ components, including pigments, were selected for their ability to withstand high temperatures and maintain safe migration levels for near-food applications.
The company added that the inks support the manufacture of materials that meet relevant EU rules.
AquaHeat can be used in high-speed printing and is compatible with standard water-based ink printing through rotogravure and flexographic methods, allowing use within current production configurations.
The inks are suitable for paper, board and film substrates.
The range consists of ten base inks, which the company said provide a broader colour gamut than other products currently available.
Sun Chemical also said it offers design support tools, including The GamutViewer software and SunDigiGuide books, to help estimate and display achievable colours, to limit reworks and shorten product development timelines.
The AquaHeat range contains up to 60% bio-renewable content.
It added that the inks can be used with its recommended non-self-supported liquid functional coatings, with optional heat-sealing features, in a system designed to support recyclable paper and board packaging for applications involving traditional oven temperatures.
Eric Dejean, product manager for water-based products at Sun Chemical Europe, said: “Brand owners and food packaging manufacturers have long sought to design unique packaging that can carry processed food products through their entire life cycle while maintaining safety and visual appeal.
“At Sun Chemical, we are dedicated to supporting them with value-led solutions that enhance brands, improve efficiency, mitigate risk and boost sustainability.”
In January, Sun Chemical introduced nitrocellulose-free inks for the flexible packaging sector, aimed at converters, retailers and consumer packaged goods companies.
