Every year when the PIA/GATF InterTech Technology Awards come out, I always search the list for new technologies and products that can be used to set you apart from the competition.
 
One of those technologies from this year's award recipients is Sun Chemical's SunPak LMQ (low migration quality) products for the folding carton market.

Sun Chemical has been working on this technology since 1995 and I wanted to find out what has been driving this and why it's being released now. To get the lowdown on the need and thinking behind this system, I spoke with Jim Bishop, a Field Marketing - Sheetfed Technology  Sun Chemical.

The need for low migration products has been driven by European  regulators. Various brand owner and government related product recalls that have occurred across the world over the last three years due to odor, taint and chemical exposure concerns. The largest recall was $50 million from a major food producer related to mineral oil migration from corrugated boxes into dry cereal. These recalls have produced a variety of regulations from various government agencies and packaging associations, including REACH legislation, the Plastics Directive, and the Swiss Ordinance for the use of inks and coatings.

Various brand owner and government related product recalls have occurred across the world over the last three years due to odor, taint and chemical exposure concerns.

Migration is the transfer of substances from the packaging structure to the packaged goods. The term "low migration" in packaging is commonly used to designate materials used in the packaging structure which will not contain compounds that move from the packaging into the product. A migration risk may exist when printed inks, coatings and adhesives are in close proximity to packaged food, tobacco or pharmaceuticals where no functional barrier exists between packaging and contents. The levels of migration should be below the amount which has an effect on the properties of the packaged product.