hubergroup presented the advantages of the new Platinum Flexo ink at the official launch in Germany

 

Printing ink manufacturer hubergroup has introduced a new ink series, Gecko Platinum Flexo, intended primarily for complex film lamination applications.

The solvent-based ink was launched during an event in Germany attended by around 100 customers, which combined presentations with a live demonstration of the ink printing flexible packaging on a Windmöller & Hölscher press. 

Unlike the company’s classic Gecko series, which are based on nitrocellulose (NC), Platinum Flexo is uses a polyurethane (PU) binder system. Lutz Frischmann, director technology management liquid inks, explained, ‘For standard applications, such as packaging for dry contents, we already have well-established NC ink systems. However, NC systems cannot be used for applications involving sterilisation due to the limited thermostability of nitrocellulose. Until now, specialised ink series based on polyvinylbutyral (PVB) or polyvinylchloride (PVC) have been used for such high-performance laminations. However, flexo printers are either not able to use these specialised inks at all (PVC-based inks) or only to a very limited extent (PVB inks). Moreover, brand owners are increasingly demanding chlorine-free binders and pushing the established PVC systems in gravure to the limits of their capabilities. Extensive field trials in combination with various solvent-based and solvent-free adhesive systems have confirmed that Gecko Platinum offers consistently high bond strength values in both standard and high-performance applications, including sterilisation. Print quality is excellent even in fine halftone designs with 60 l/cm or more.’

At the product launch, Dr Giuseppe Gianetti, director product management liquid inks, spoke about the market opportunities of the new product development. ‘The downsizing of print runs is a key factor in Europe, and retortability is supporting this concept very well thanks to the wide range of applications open. The availability of high-performance inks for sterilisation applications now enables flexo to fight for a share of this market, too. Gecko Platinum Flexo opens up new market opportunities for forward-thinking flexo printers in areas that until now have been the preserve of gravure printers.’

The new Platinum series is currently available as ready-to-use inks.