Flint Group NC-free inks honored at FIA UK Awards

Flint Group has been recognized by the Flexographic Industry Association (FIA) UK with a Gold Technical Innovation Award for its nitrocellulose-free VertixCode and MatrixCode ink series.

These formulations, designed for flexo and gravure printing, respectively, help flexible packaging printers meet the demands of changing legislation and align with new recycling obligations by transitioning away from NC-based inks.

Both ink series are engineered for greater chemical stability at the high temperatures encountered during recycling, preserving recyclate quality. This aligns with the Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulations (PPWR), which focus on harmonising packaging components with recycling infrastructure, ensuring compliance with Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) schemes.

VertixCode and MatrixCode also deliver optimized color strength and high opacity whites across diverse substrates, providing a versatile technology for printing more sustainable flexible packaging.

Commenting on the award win, Paul Winstanley, vice president of technology and product management at Flint Group, said: ‘It’s an honor that, among such a prestigious community, our innovations in NC-free ink technology were recognised by the FIA UK judges. VertixCode and MatrixCode represent revolutions in flexo and gravure printing, keeping customers ahead of legislative changes with no trade-off between sustainability and performance. As flexible packaging printers move away from NC-based formulations, we remain committed to supporting this transition by developing new, sustainable solutions.

‘Flint Group is proud to be recognised for our commitment to forward-thinking technical innovation, and we thank FIA UK for acknowledging our achievement. We also extend our congratulations to the other FIA award winners, and it’s a privilege to be among organisations that are pushing boundaries and striving for print excellence.’

Lewis Taylor, senior commercial director for the UK, Ireland and Nordics at Flint Group, commented: ‘We’re incredibly proud that our NC-free ink technologies have been recognised by the FIA UK. This achievement is a testament to Flint Group’s commitment to supporting our customers and to the hard work and dedication of our whole team.

‘With VertixCode and MatrixCode, we’re providing the market with advanced solutions that not only enhance recyclability and compliance but also deliver the print quality and versatility our customers expect. This award underlines our ongoing drive to lead the industry in innovation and sustainability.’