Flint Group has launched a new ink, for metallised paper and non-absorbent substrates, called Novastar D 2000 IML BIO.
Jürgen Riedlinger, director global product management for sheetfed at Flint Group, says, “Over the last five to six years, global production of in-mould labels has grown at around four per cent per year, due in part to the ability of the technology to enhance the product visibility and brand identification in the market. And we believe in-mould labelling will continue to grow significantly as the manufacturing efficiencies and visual quality it brings gets wider endorsement. Currently in-mould accounts for less than three per cent of all labelling, so there is plenty of room for it to grow.”
He says the new ink, a mineral oil-free, low migration sheetfed ink, suits label printing without direct food contact. Suitable for printing work corresponding to ISO 12647-2, it targets printing on metallised paper and other non-absorbent substrates. Flint Group says the ink arrives as the latest in a line of products introduced by Flint Group to create a rounded portfolio for the offset label print market.
The company says the new ink features good printability with excellent dot sharpness and fast oxidative drying, adding that, based on renewable raw materials and produced conforming to good manufacturing practice, the ink it has exceptionally good adhesion and scratch resistance, as well as high versatility in high and sub-zero temperatures.
Riedlinger says, “We recommend customers use our Novastar IML inks and coatings along with Varn fount AF 4000, dayGraphica 3610 blankets and any of our Varn anti set-off powders to give consistently good results in a conventional print situation. If they use our UV curing UltraCura products, we have Varn Ultra 4100 fount and dayGraphica 4200 UV blankets to give the same high level of reliability and quality.
“While Europe currently holds the largest share of the Global IML market, the main growth opportunities going forward are in North America and, due to an increase in demand for food and beverage products, the emerging markets of China, India and South America. We also see potential in the high-value markets like paint pails and nutraceutical containers, with high-impact, decorative and eye-catching metallic colours becoming more popular. With the introduction of Novastar D 2000 IML BIO we now have a complete portfolio, available globally to meet the needs of IML printers wherever they are.”
