PARSIPPANY, N.J. – During FTA INFO*FLEX 2016, Sun Chemical will show how its inks, coatings and HD plate technology can produce packaging that pops off the shelf while at the same time enhancing pressroom efficiency by coming to color faster at higher press speeds.  

“The needs and requirements of flexible packaging continues to evolve,” said Tony Renzi, Vice President, Product Management of Packaging Inks, North American Inks, Sun Chemical. “From high speed/high quality printing demands and the growing trend toward tighter regulations on food contact packaging, to brand owner requirements for packaging that is unique and pops off the shelf, converters need solutions to meet the changing demands in the industry. During INFO*FLEX, we will show our customers how we can take them from concept to shelf to meet their packaging needs.”

Water- and Solvent-Based Ink Systems Enhance Productivity and Meet Print Quality Requirements of High-Speed Printing

Suitable for surface print applications on a number of the commonly used flexible packaging substrates, Sun Chemical’s SunUno Solimax multi-purpose ink system will maximize press room efficiency while simplifying the overall print production process. Intended for surface printing and lamination for various end-use applications, such as lidding materials, medical laminates and food packaging for confectionery and snack food, these inks provide a single platform that can cover multiple end use applications and produce the shelf stand out and high quality packaging needed for today’s competitive industry.  

Designed for flexographic printing on polypropylene and polyethylene films at high speeds, Sun Chemical’s SunStrato^® Sunester^® laminating water- and solvent-based family of inks offer maximum color strength, low solvent retention, excellent adhesive and extrusion bonds, and are suitable for use with conventional and high-performance printing plates. The clean printing and film versatility of Sun Chemical’s SunStrato Sunester inks make it an ideal choice for printing on items such as pouches and various laminated bag structures for a variety of markets. 

Sun Chemical will also highlight its SunStrato^® water-based ink product portfolio to address the growing use of water-based products for a variety of flexible packaging applications. Sun Chemical’s SunStrato water-based ink product portfolio can satisfy the print requirements for the majority of applications, ranging from surface print on polyethylene and polypropylene to complex lamination structures.

Developed for high-speed flexographic printing on polyethylene film, SunSpectro^® Sunsharp^® HR water- and solvent-based inks provide moderate heat resistance of up to 350 degrees, maintain excellent gloss, and are suitable for use with conventional and high-performance printing plates. Its clean printing and water resistance make it an ideal choice for printing on items such as plastic bags, shampoo bottles and milk containers. 

Sun Chemical will also highlight its SunVisto^® water-based inks portfolio for paper and paperboard applications. Formulated to match GCMI X color standards, SunVisto water-based inks are PH stable with excellent coverage and mileage. The low-VOC inks meet the requirements of the Coalition of Northeastern Governors (CONEG) and provide consistent viscosity with excellent press stability to meet the print needs used on a wide range of substrates, including: corrugated boxes, bags, folding carton, giftwrap and more.  

Coatings Offer Benefits Ranging from Special Effects to Barrier Protection

Sun Chemical’s wide range of coatings will be on display during the show, including a variety of options for satin, matte and gloss printing, in addition to its SunInspire sensory coatings line which offer special effects that allow a customers’ product packaging to stand out on store shelves visually through high luster metallic, fluorescent, glitter, pearlescent, as well as iridescent finishes. SunInspire tactile coatings, ranging from coarse and gritty to soft and smooth, appeal to the sense of touch. Other coatings in the line can create an interactive experience with color shifting, reticulating, and other aromatic coatings. 

Designed to enable lightweighting of packaging by removing EVOH polymer layers from packaging, as well as offering improved laminate flexibility, Sun Chemical’s SunBar^® oxygen barrier coatings provide a smooth, homogenous, pinhole-free layer that can be easily overprinted with inks and laminated to a variety of secondary films. SunBar is cost-effective, recyclable, biodegradable and press-ready, allowing for lighter-weight packaging, a reduced carbon footprint, and easy application with few changes to current equipment

HD Quality Products from Sun Chemical that Produce Packaging that Pops

Certified by ESKO through a rigorous process, Sun Chemical’s SunGraphics® high definition flexographic plate technology, with Esko HD software and CDI high resolution imaging, allows for printing an image quality of up to 4,000 PPI resulting in expanded tonal range and wider color gamut to produce sharper, more vibrant images and colors. Printers will also see the new Flat-Top Dot technology that prints with 30-60 percent less impression sensitivity compared to standard digital plates, which allows for longer, cleaner, more consistent runs from beginning to end.

Sun Chemical’s Consumable Technology Converts Soiled Plates to a Like New Condition

Visitors looking for ways to reduce costs in the pressroom can learn about Sun Chemical’s newest consumable technology, SunVisto^® Anilox Renew and the SunVisto Power Scrub. Designed to provide a deep cleaning foam that brings heavily soiled plates and anilox rollers back to their “like new” condition, SunVisto Anilox Renew is a highly concentrated cleaner that minimizes or eliminates the need for sending anilox rollers out for cleaning. By applying it weekly, most anilox rolls will not require bi-weekly removal and blasting, eliminating costs and improving overall quality. 

For more information about Sun Chemical’s products on display during INFO*FLEX 2016, please visit booth #301 on March 7-8, 2016 at the Fort Worth Convention Center in Fort Worth, Texas or at  www.sunchemical.com/FTA2016.