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Q&A: Resins and additives for printing and packaging applications

BASF Insights
Q&A | Resins and additives for printing and packaging applications
August 30, 2017

Global

Tireless testing pushes performance progress.

Read this short Q&A to test your knowledge of how testing is invaluable in determining the performance of a resin or additive in specific printing and packaging applications.

For printers and packagers, making the switch from solvent-based to water-based processes is helping shift the industry to more environmentally-friendly practices. But for formulators, developing water-based resins and additives that have production-class performance requires a great deal of testing.

Visit the printing and packaging applications page to learn more and you can download the Printing & Packaging raw material selection guide.

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Q&A

Q: True or False? Reduction of emissions and continuous improvements to health and safety are key drivers for formulators in creating more sustainable inks.

A: TRUE

Q: True or False. The growing demand for food-safe inks is pushing printers and converters to switch from using solvent-based technologies, to more environmentally-friendly, water-based technologies.

A: TRUE - The increased demand for food-safe inks is encouraging the switchover, as products like BASF's Joncryl® series are offering more production ready inks for food packaging.

Q: Solvent-based inks for flexible packaging can still offer sustainable solutions by:

A: Enabling creation of packaging options with a smaller footprint - Solvent-based inks support production of flexible packaging options like pouches, in place of cans, for a smaller carbon footprint.

Q: Ultra-violet (UV) and electron beam (EB) curable ink and overprint varnish technology offers advantages to the packaging industry that include:

A: High performance in resistance properties and gloss and instant curing for increased productivity. UV and EB technology offers instant curing for increased productivity and high performance in resistance properties and gloss.

Q: Printed graphics and packaging are often given a protective coating called an overprint varnish, for improved longevity. Adding a UV stabilizer as well offers extra durability but it's very difficult to incorporate into a water-based formulation.

A: FALSE - UV absorber additives can be easily incorporated into water-based, solvent-based or energy-curable overprint varnish formulations, our Tinuvin® DW-ECO line enables an easier integration of light stabilizers in water based applications. For example, Tinuvin 400-DW ECO as the UV absorber (UVA) and Tinuvin 123-DW ECO as the hindered amine light stabilizer (HALS).

Q: True or False. In-can stabilizers are especially dangerous in UV curable inkjet inks and 2K acrylic adhesives.

A: FALSE - In-can stabilizers are actually very useful in UV curable inkjet inks and 2K acrylic adhesives, our Irgastab UV 22 is an in-can stabilizer for all kinds of UV/EB inks and UV/EB overprint varnishes and offers long-term shelf life stability even under critical conditions.

Last UpdateAugust 30, 2017