Toyo Ink launches flexo ink for flexible packaging

Toyo Ink Mfg. America, a member of the Toyo Ink Group, has launched its AquaLiona series of water-based flexographic lamination ink for conventional and retort pouch packaging.

Toyo’s new AquaLiona ink prints on various substrates ranging from BOPP, PET, PVDC coated films to nylon and is said to work well with a wide array of lamination adhesives such as solvent-based, water-based and solvent-less types. The new series can be used for retort food packaging applications with the addition of a hardener that enhances resin durability. This enables AquaLiona to withstand temperatures up to 250 deg F. The company claims it is the world’s first water-based flexo system to achieve this performance. 

Toyo Ink engineered an ink resin and other composition components that comprise the basic structure of AquaLiona, improving its compatibility on various substrates and performance of various physical properties. The AquaLiona series is claimed to improve print resolubility and on-press stability and offer superior bonding strength. Its low solvent (alcohol/glycol) retention and ability to handle microwave reheating makes AquaLiona suited to dry, oily or wet food packaging applications.

‘At Toyo Ink, we feel flexographic and gravure printing processes can coexist in the flexible packaging sector. Flexo printing technology is suitable for short-run jobs where the end-user is looking to reduce excess inventory or waste,’ commented Shingo Harako, packaging inks marketing manager. ‘And as the majority of converters use flexo presses in the US, Toyo’s new AquaLiona product is sure to open up new growth avenues for converters not only to become greener, but also meet the high-purity packaging needs of their customers.’

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