Siegwerk, a provider of printing inks and coatings for packaging applications and labels, has introduced its first full UV flexo deinking system for the European market.  

Named CIRKIT CLEARPRIME UV E02, this new primer technology is tailored for non-food packaging applications and is a validated solution for the efficient deinking of UV-printed self-adhesive labels.

The new system is claimed to improve the recyclability of labelled plastic packaging and facilitate the recovery of quality recyclates that can be reused in non-food packaging applications.  

During a debut field test with Masterpress, a supplier of labels and printed decorative packaging solutions, the effectiveness of Siegwerk’s new deinking primer was confirmed in all aspects. 

The new system eliminates the need for prior label removal if the used plastics are compatible, by enabling easy and safe deinking of UV-printed self-adhesive labels. 

The in-house laboratory tests at Masterpress and Siegwerk claim to have demonstrated the primer's effectiveness, with excellent recyclate results.  

Siegwerk EMEA Technology Narrow head Marc Larvor said: “Such combined mechanical recycling of labels and plastic packaging can not only help to increase recycling rates, but also to save time and costs.

"Thereby, our new UV flexo deinking primer actively contributes to realise high-quality recyclates for circular waste streams.” 

The new system is compatible with Siegwerk’s established Sicura flexo series, including the non-low migration Sicura Flex 39-8 and the dual-curing Sicura Flex Dual Cure.  

It is also compliant with different film materials and allows for the inline printing of deinkable materials in a 100% UV flexo press setup, simplifying the process for users. 

Masterpress research and development manager Katarzyna Wasilewska said: “Our tests confirmed an impressive recyclability of the UV-printed PE [polyethylene] labels.

"Compared to other labels with no deinking technology, we could observe that contaminations of plastic recyclates due to discolouration could be massively reduced by using Siegwerk's UV Deinking Primer.” 

With the launch of CIRKIT CLEARPRIME UV E02, Siegwerk continues to expand its CIRKIT product portfolio for packaging designs while driving deinking as a new industry standard to further improve the recyclability of plastic packaging. 

In May this year, Siegwerk announced that its new coatings enable recyclable monomaterial pet food packaging.