In response to customers’ needs for enhanced ink adhesion on non-porous packagingin the food, consumer and pharmaceutical packaging markets, Videojet Technologies, a manufacturer of coding and marking solutions, has launched the new Flex Solvent ink for its thermal ink-jet (TIJ) range of printers.
The ink is specifically formulated to improve adhesion on several consumer packaging substrates, particularly materials common in glossy packaging or flexible films. The new Flex Solvent ink opens up new opportunities to mark more durable codes on substrates that were previously difficult to mark, such as biaxially oriented polypropylene.
Dry time on these materials is often between one and two seconds, so these applications are suitable for printer integration into web production processes. The ink is also an excellent option for food and beverage manufacturers requiring the absence of methyl ethyl ketone (MEK).
Extensive tests were performed on various substrates to verify enhanced adhesion and faster dry times. Videojet continues to invest in ink research and development.
The Flex Solvent ink can be used in the current Wolke machinery by Videojet range of TIJ printers, including the 8510, m600 touch, m600 advanced and m600 oem printer models.
The inherent simplicity, uptime and print resolution of TIJ, combined with the simple usability of the Videojet and Wolke controllers, make these printers ideal for a range of packaging applications.
The global flexible packaging marketis rapidly growing, and its value is predicted at $248 billion by 2020 due to rising demands in consumer convenience. As more consumers lead increasingly busy lifestyles, demand for convenience products in the healthcare, personal care, food and beverage, and pharmaceuticals markets is ever increasing.
Flexible packaging growth
The growth in flexible packaging popularity is linked to a number of factors, including its resilience to damage and the range of packaging design options available. Flexible packaging is also the most economical method to package, preserve and distribute consumer goods, as it can be designed to fit the product and end-user requirements due to its ability to be made into a wide variety of shapes and sizes.
Advances in printing technology also mean that different finishes can be applied to the packaging to help enhance the product’s appearance. Glossy substrates and flexible films are common materials used in flexible packaging. These materials are non-porous, and without inks that perform well on these substrates, customers may experience text, logos or barcodes being rubbed or scratched off after printing.
