Solutions

Sustainable inks, adhesives and functional coatings

The sustainability requirements that apply to packaging also apply to the ancillary materials that are used in it, such as inks, adhesives and coatings.

Bio-based inks that contribute to packaging biodegradability and compostability, and to reducing the number of layers in multilayer materials to enhance their recyclability and reusability, are just some of the functionalities that these developments provide.

Inks, adhesives and coatings for sustainable packaging
tintas
tintas y adhesivos para envase

Meeting the requirements of the circular economy:

Compliance with the 2030 European strategy states that inks, adhesives and coatings must follow the same criteria as packaging to demonstrate their overall sustainability.

    • Using inks that are bio-based, biodegradable and compostable without any loss of print quality.
    • Reducing layers or thicknesses in multilayer packaging.
    • Making it easier to separate layers in multilayer packaging.
    • Making it easier to empty packaging.
    • Making it easier to empty packaging.
    • Replacing multilayers with monolayers.

Sustainable ink solutions

Bio-based coloured inks that could prove to be fully biodegradable and compostable.

These inks have been validated at industrial level by partner companies with satisfactory results in terms of covering power and adhesion.

Advantages:

  • They could be printed without weight limits, thus facilitating printing designs.
  • They make it easier to obtain compostability certificates for the goods on which they are printed.
  • They help to reduce the carbon footprint, the non-emission of volatile organic compounds and reduce the dependence on fossil fuels to obtain inks for the printing industry.
tintas del proyecto biosurfink

These inks were tested following ASTM D6866 standard test methods for determining the bio-based content of solid, liquid, and gaseous samples using radiocarbon analysis. The analysis of the bio-based carbon content was performed by BETA Analytic, an ISO 17025 accredited laboratory.

Microwavable printed susceptor ink for snacks and pre-prepared convenience food products

Susceptor ink based on compounds that facilitate food heating. This is a monolayer development based on a paper substrate that replaces aluminised PET.

envase para palomitas con tinta susceptora

Advantages:

  • More sustainable solution and alternative to standard commercial susceptor packaging.
  • Suitable for bakery, pastry, pizza products, etc.
  • Suitable for use on substrates other than paper, which increases its usability for ready-to-heat products.

Adhesives to facilitate multi-layer packaging recyclability

The formulation of the adhesives has been modified so that they can respond to external stimuli which causes them to lose their bonding capacity, thus enabling layer separation.

This development paves the way for high-quality multilayer materials that only delaminate when certain stimuli are applied, which means that this can be controlled.

This solution also dovetails with existing recycling technologies, eliminating the need to modify current processes.

adhesivos para envase

Functional treatments to make it easier to empty and recycle packaging

superficie modificada para facilitar el vaciado de envases

Strategies have been developed to chemically modify the surface of a material. This modification could lower the material’s free surface energy, among other properties, and could be directly applied to making packaging emptying easier, as well to as other related applications such as easy surface cleaning.

This surface treatment does away with laminates, varnishes and coatings and contributes to packaging recycling, as well as reducing food waste.

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  • How can I help you?

    Jesús Palenzuela

    Head of Printing technologies and Functional surfaces Unit

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