Sun Chemical develops GIO portfolio

Sun Chemical has developed a full portfolio of GIO-compliant inks, coatings and overprint varnishes ahead of the German Ink Ordinance enforcement on January 1, 2027.

The GIO protects consumer health by regulating the potential migration of chemicals from food packaging into food products. It provides a positive list of permitted substances, including monomers, additives, colorants and solvents, for use in printing inks and varnishes on food contact materials.

While the GIO is specific to Germany, it will act as a reference point in the absence of an official EU standard, alongside Swiss ordinances. Global brands and the wider supply chain have adopted GIO principles to demonstrate best practice for consumer safety.

Sun Chemical's compliant portfolio covers the full spectrum of printing options, including offset, gravure and flexographic printing, with water and solvent-based inks, as well as UV and EB formulations. The company offers GIO-compliant products for paper packaging, folding carton, flexible packaging, lidding and labels and sleeves.

'At Sun Chemical, we support packaging manufacturers and brand owners with future-proof approaches that enable them to adopt a GIO-compliant strategy with confidence. Our customers see us as a trusted partner because we invest heavily in R&D, provide access to local expertise and offer the widest range of options and services, all from one source. Our goal is to help our customers manage regulatory changes and develop future-ready approaches,' commented Nicolas Bétin, director of product strategy EMEA, packaging inks and materials and global sustainability business leader.

The company's approach focuses on regulatory risk mitigation through advanced research and technology that surpasses market standards for product sourcing, safety and sustainability properties.