Research & Development

Concepts that reach customers within eighteen months. Six of the twelve sit at technology readiness level 5 or above and are the near-term commitments.

NIR-sortable carbon-free black. A black UV flexo and screen ink formulated without carbon black, using an organic near-infra-red-transparent pigment combination that reads as black to the eye but reflects in the 1100–1700 nm window used by NIR sorters. Target: density at least 1.6 OD, NIR reflectance at least 50 % of unprinted polymer at 1400 nm, BWS 6 or better, cost within 1.5× standard black. For shrink sleeves, mono-PE and PP flexible packaging, IML labels and closures.

Bio-based UV oligomers. UV flexo inks and coatings in which the acrylate oligomer and part of the monomer are built from renewable feedstocks, verified by radiocarbon analysis. Target: at least 40 % bio-based carbon by 2028 with no loss of cure speed, colour strength or resistance, and at least 25 % cradle-to-gate CO₂e reduction.

Covert anti-counterfeit taggant inks. Brand protection through markers readable only with the right reader.

Water-based LED-curable hybrid inks. Flexo inks in which a water-dispersed UV-curable polyurethane-acrylate carries the pigment: the water evaporates in a short dryer, then the film cures under an LED lamp to a cross-linked, resistant surface. Solids around 45 %, VOC below 2 %, no acrylate monomer, no odour. Target: cure at 150 m/min with one 20 W/cm² LED after a 1 m dryer, at least 100 MEK rubs, migration below low-migration ink levels.

Printed NFC and RFID antenna inks. Flexo- and screen-printable conductive inks — silver-flake, silver-nanowire and copper-based — with sheet resistance below 50 mΩ/sq at 5 µm, formulated to print antenna coils in line on label presses and to accept chip attach. Target: printed 13.56 MHz coil read range of at least 3 cm with a standard phone.

Thermochromic and time-temperature-indicator inks. Reversible thermochromic microcapsule inks changing colour at 8, 15, 25 or 40 °C for cold-chain cues, and irreversible TTI inks whose diffusion front records cumulative time above a threshold temperature.

Two concepts are research programmes run with partners, whose value justifies a longer horizon. They sit at early technology readiness and are pursued because the printed surface is becoming a functional layer rather than a decorative one.

Our technology centre brings our development capability together in one place, combining formulation chemistry with application engineering and analytical capability. Development starts from an identified press-room need, and every concept is qualified on a customer press before it is offered.

We work with raw-material suppliers, converters and brand owners, because an ink that is right in the laboratory and wrong on the press has solved nothing.