Siegwerk, a global provider of printing inks and coatings, has introduced its first nitrocellulose (NC)-free ink designed for surface printing on polyethylene (PE) and polypropylene (PP) packaging.

The company noted that its new offering aligns with the latest packaging design guidelines aimed at improving recyclability. The new ink systems are available for both flexographic and gravure printing processes.

NC-based inks have been favoured for their printability, rapid drying, and adhesive properties.

However, their limited thermal stability poses challenges during recycling, leading to potential odour, discolouration, and weakened mechanical properties of recycled materials.

Siegwerk's NC-free solutions address these concerns, being fully compliant with current recycling guidelines.

The company's NC-free inks utilise proprietary polyurethane (PU) binders developed in-house, replacing NC.

These binders are claimed to have demonstrated both printability and resistance to heat and mechanical stress.

Siegwerk Europe, Middle East, and Africa (EMEA) Technology Flexible Packaging head Björn Ewig said: “We have already been offering NC-free inks for lamination for a long time.

“Together with the company’s newest generation of NC-free solutions for lamination, these new surface ink systems will be part of the company’s recently introduced NC-free toolbox for flexible packaging, initially available to customers in the EMEA region."

Last month, Siegwerk launched the aforementioned NC-free toolbox to enable recyclable flexible packaging.

The toolbox enables the company's customers to meet recycling standards while ensuring packaging performance.