INX introduces sustainability in washable inks for label market
Genesis GS meets the stringent APR critical guidance for recycling of PET bottles with shrink sleeves.
INX International Ink Co has introduced its newest significant solution for sustainability and recycling in the label industry – Genesis GS washable label inks.
INX’s new inks represent an abundance of environmental, efficiency and print quality benefits. In March, the inks were recognised by the Association of Plastic Recyclers (APR) for meeting or exceeding the group’s strict testing protocol for washable and recyclable PET shrink sleeve applications.
Genesis GS maintains properties in accordance with APR guidelines required for shrink sleeve applications and reportedly exhibits excellent bleed resistance in caustic bath solutions. Since the ink is separated from the substrate and removed from the label material during the bath, a complete recyclable package is a real option, INX says.
Genesis GS can also be used for floatable roll-fed OPP labels so a customer is able to print multiple label types with one ink system. Floatable applications require the ink to remain on the substrate after exposure to the caustic bath solution. Genesis GS has reportedly demonstrated excellent results printing at high press speeds, displays fast drying capabilities at low temperatures, and adheres well to several grades of flexible films.
“We are very pleased with the development of Genesis GS and making it a must-have solution for label providers,” said Mark Hill, senior vice president R&D for INX International Ink Co.
“The environmental benefits are superb. With the ink cleanly removed from the cPET label or floatable with OPP labels, it allows clear bottles to be made through the circular reuse of recovered materials.”
Hill indicated that INX’s R&D staff was able to troubleshoot a PET concern that arose during the testing process.
“Most shrink sleeve bottles are made of PETG resin, which has a lower melting point than PET bottle flake,” he said. “Given that, the film can turn into what is essentially a glue, clumping the PET bottle flakes and making the PET harder to utilise. Additionally, inks from PETG shrink sleeves can discolor the clear bottle flakes. Our new innovations address that issue.”
APR informed INX on 19 March that all colours with and without white backing, and with inside overprint varnish on Bonpet BR1 crystalizable film, met or exceeded APR’s PET-CG-02 Critical Guidance Protocol for Clear PET Articles with Labels and Closures (PDF). The recognition was based on the technical recyclability of the decorated label innovation with PET bottles and applies only to the decorated sleeve labels.
For more information, visit: www.inxgenesis.com.
