Linx Printing Technologies, a coding and marking solutions manufacturer, has unveiled two new inks specifically designed to address the challenges of coding on flexible plastic packaging.
The Linx Black Strong Plastic-Film Ink 1015 and 3415 are formulated to provide reliable code adhesion and readability on various plastic film pack formats.
They are suitable for various pack formats, including plastic flow wrap for dry foods, and plastic pouches for food sauces, household chemicals, confectionery, and pet foods.
Linx Printing Technologies inks product manager Simon Millett said: “Legislative changes including new plastic taxes, together with retailer and consumer demands, are driving manufacturers to reduce their use of plastic, and this has led to a move towards stronger laminated plastic films and more recycled and recyclable packaging.
“As a result, we are seeing the introduction of thin flexible plastic wrapping and pouches of OPP [oriented polypropylene/PP], BOPP [biaxially-oriented PP], HDPE [high-density polyethylene/PE] and LDPE [low-density PE], but these can present a challenge for ink adhesion, and many general-purpose inks do not stick effectively to these lower surface energy plastics. This means that codes may smudge, scratch, or rub off in production or transit, which can lead to reworking, rejects and even fines.”
Linx's new offerings are said to be free from per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances and carcinogenic, mutagenic, and reprotoxic and meet the European Printing Ink Association Exclusion Policy.
The 3415 variant is also a non-MEK ink.
Extensive global testing was conducted to ensure the inks' effectiveness across a wide range of packaging formats, including in France Australia, the UK, China, India, the Philippines, and Poland.
The introduction of Linx Black Strong Plastic-Film Inks 1015 and 3415 is set to assist customers in achieving full traceability for their products.
Linx Printing Technologies ink development manager and principal chemist Dr Amy Ruddlesden said: “Our team of scientists designed and tested over 100 formulations during the development process, to ensure we devised a truly versatile solution for the widest variety of pack types and applications.”
