Linx launches new strong adhesion ink

Linx Printing Technologies has developed Linx Black Ultra Strong Plastic-Adherent Ink 1061 that addresses the challenges of delivering long-term, high-quality code adherence for rigid plastics and plastic films.

The new ink ensures excellent and consistent adhesion, particularly on PET and low-surface-energy substrates, including OPP, BOPP, HDPE, and LDPE. It eliminates the need for plasma treatment on the packaging, a process sometimes used to modify the material's surface and enhance adhesion.

Such flexibility makes the ink particularly suitable for businesses handling a variety of plastic packaging for different products on their lines. The ink also performs well on other challenging substrates, such as those with a thin layer of grease or oil coating, and on frozen food packs before freezing.

The codes can withstand rigorous handling or rubbing during production, packing, and onward transit, maintaining their quality and ensuring full readability and traceability throughout the distribution process. 

The ink is compatible with Linx 8000 series CIJ printers, and its formulation allows for longer service intervals compared to many other specialist inks, thereby maximizing uptime and reducing service costs.

The product is free from PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances), CMR substances (carcinogenic, mutagenic, reprotoxic), and contains no mineral oils. It fully complies with industry standards such as the EuPIA (European Printing Ink Association) Exclusion Policy. This helps to ensure enhanced health and safety compliance.

'The low surface energy of plastics has always made printing onto them a challenge, and while there are specialist inks for individual materials, until now there has not been one that has the flexibility to work effectively across many substrates,' said Simon Millett, product manager for inks at Linx Printing Technologies.

Millett continued: 'Our new Linx Black Ultra Strong Plastic-Adherent Ink 1061 fills this gap by excelling in rigorous QA adhesion tests, ensuring long-lasting and consistently high-quality codes on the latest generation of mono flexible films and rigid plastics. It combines excellent performance with health and safety benefits, as well as cost of ownership advantages.'

The new ink has performed to the highest standards in several QA tests for adhesion, including tape tests, where a special tape is used to test ink resistance to exposure throughout the production and distribution process.