J+S eliminates cobalt from inks

- Cobalt siccatives are additives in offset ink that accelerate chemical curing of the color film, but expected to be excluded from being a viable component in the near future

 

- Customers being offered chance to test cobalt-free ink system

 

Jänecke + Schneemann (J+S) has launched Impact², a new ink system without cobalt siccatives.

 

Cobalt siccatives are additives in offset ink that accelerate chemical curing of the color film.

 

Although cobalt can be found in the environment and even in the human body, J+S said many compounds that contain cobalt are toxic, endanger the environment and are consequently registered on many exclusion lists.

 

It added that further tests of the cobalt siccatives in offset inks are still pending, although it is expected that they will be classified as CMR substances and therefore excluded from being a component of printing inks within the next years.

 

To improve its product safety J+S tested alternative formulations and developed Impact², an offset ink series without cobalt that it claims still accomplishes the same quality as conventional offset inks with cobalt siccatives.

 

In order to facilitate the upcoming conversion, customers are now being offered the chance to test Impact² and get used to cobalt-free inks.

 

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