Siegwerk adds water-based flexo inks made with natural resins

UniRICS is Siegwerk’s first sustainable, partially plant-based ink range, containing a bio-acrylic binder. The bio-based resin contained in UniXYL inks is obtained from lignocellulosic biomass, which is available in particular in feedstocks from forestry.

‘As one of the leading ink manufacturers, we want to set a good example and champion the development of eco-friendly inks,’ commented Pierre-Antoine Noirot, vice president of the Global Innovation Network at Siegwerk. ‘At the same time we have tried to reduce the biomass obtained from food or feed plants, which we have now achieved with UniXYL.

‘The fact that the biomass used in UniXYL is composed of forestry or agricultural waste products is reflected in the product name, XYL, hinting at the Greek word xylon, which translated means wood.’

UniXYL is suitable for paper and board applications, including those intended for food packaging. It complies with current product safety regulations, such as the Swiss Ordinance. And while the new ink range is water-based and also contains biomass components, it delivers the same level of performance compared to conventional water-based inks, as explained by Noirot. ‘UniXYL is characterized by our typically high standard of Siegwerk quality. It provides excellent printing results with outstanding color strength, great print quality and good rub resistance at stable viscosity.’

UniXYL has successfully completed several beta trials under industrial conditions at Siegwerk customer printing facilities.