News
2023/4/28
Sustainable food packaging at Interpack: Toray presents latest successes in waterless EB offset printing
At the booth of technology partner Chemosvit Folie (Hall 10, Booth B78), the Japanese company will be presenting recyclable mono-material packaging based on the waterless EB offset printing process from May 4th to 10th.
Saving energy, reducing CO2 emissions, and protecting the health of print shop employees: The Toray Group is pursuing these ambitious goals with its specially developed waterless EB-Offset printing process. To this end, the company is working with various international partners; in 2022, Toray entered a partnership with the Slovakian converter Chemosvit Folie to promote waterless EB offset printing. For the very first time, Toray is presenting the initial results of this collaboration to the general public, incorporating sustainable barrier packaging substrates created in cooperation with material science leader Dow, and enabled by their Pack Studios capabilities in Tarragona, Spain.
Visitors to Interpack can admire samples of a recyclable polyethylene (PE) and polypropylene (PP) mono material packaging on site. Mono material packaging is becoming increasingly popular with industry giants - and for good reason. Packaging made from only one material is easier to recycle and thus also contributes to the circular economy and fully comply with the requirements of the EU PPWR (Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulations).
Furthermore, Toray will also show OPP mono material packaging for boil and retort applications. In combination with waterless EB offset printing, this material sets new standards in terms of sustainability and safety, for employees and consumers alike. Compared to conventional printing methods, the process using Toray’s IMPRIMA plate saves energy and reduces CO2 emissions - by around 80 percent compared to gravure printing and by around 70 percent compared to flexographic printing with solvent inks. A special water-soluble EB ink also prevents the formation of volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which can be harmful to the health of employees especially in print shops. Photo initiators are also not included, as the ink is cured by an electron beam (EB).
Finally, waterless EB offset printing makes the use of surface printing easier. This printing method offers several advantages for food packaging. The ink does not get into contact with the package contents, making it particularly food safe. The film can also be easily recycled and no adhesive needs to be used as there is no lamination-shorter delivery times and free storage capacity are the result. With conventional offset printing processes, however, the ink may have difficulty adhering to the film problems that waterless offset printing system can solve, as it does not use fountain solution.
The samples on display thus mark an important step towards sustainable food packaging that also meets the highest standards of efficiency and print quality. This is a development that the Toray Group would like to continue to play a leading role in shaping together with its partners.
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