Amcor’s folding carton business, a division of Amcor Group GmbH, has launched a new printing technology called Sunshine. The patent-pending technology consists of an inline application of a bright silver coating over an ultraviolet or electron-beam primer. The process delivers a highly reflective metallic effect and unlimited design possibilities for a range of folding carton applications. The technology also simplifies the supply chain, improves packing line performance, and provides significant environmental benefits, according to the vendor.
Using the gravure printing process, Sunshine offers a wide range of design options and can serve as an alternative to existing multi-process technologies, such as metalized board and hot-foil stamping. The in-line process is completed on a single press and removes various stages in the supply chain, thereby reducing lead times and eliminating extra transportation costs. The reflective effect is achieved using a three-layer structure consisting of paperboard (layer one), an energy-cured lacquer (layer two), and a specially developed metallic coating (layer three).
Among the key environmental benefits of the technology are reductions in waste and carbon footprint. During production and application, Sunshine drives a significant decrease in water consumption and greenhouse gases, according to ReCiPe 2008, a global environmental life-cycle assessment tool. The ability to use standard board and the removal of a metallization stage also reduces transportation freight costs, fossil fuel consumption, and unnecessary CO2 emissions.
