Water-Based Ink is the Eco-Friendly Choice

When it comes to ink, not everything is equal. As digital printing becomes more commonplace, manufacturers are taking a good look at their ink. What does environmentally safe mean in printing and what is the best option for packaging food?

A high-profile case occurred in 2005 involving a massive recall of Nestlé baby milk formula in Europe. The brand had to recall 30 million liters of products after trace amounts of ink chemicals were found in the cartons. Nestlé lost an estimated €1. 6 million worth of products.

The industry calls this issue “migration”: when ink from the surface material enters the product contained in a package. This case forced retailers and brands around the world to take a closer look at their own packaging.

Digital ink options?

UV-curable inks are immediately exposed to ultraviolet lights as they are printed. This method ‘dries’ or cures the ink when chemicals react with certain wavelengths of that ultraviolet light. This process makes the ink firm and more resistant to abrasions.  Unfortunately, these same chemicals can migrate into the interior of the package and interact with food and beverages.

Water-based ink avoids the use of these UV-reactive chemistries. Ink is still delivered to the top of the material. However, instead of using ultraviolet light to cure the ink, this new digital process uses heat. The result delivers the same durable, vibrant quality. This is the safest packaging choice for products that are edible.

Why we invested in new technology

Water-based ink stand out as odorless, low VOC and nontoxic. This option opens up huge possibilities for companies who want a more environmentally friendly ink or who worry about ink migrating into their products. Brands that package food, cosmetics, drugs or even children’s products should consider this alternative.

Water-based ink is also much more gentle on the environment because it’s water soluble. That means, when a corrugated box is recycled, unwanted substances aren’t entering our waste and water supply. The ink meets environmental criteria throughout its entire life cycle – from production to disposal.