INX International Ink Co., the largets ink producer in North America, has announced the launch of Genesis GS, a line of washable label inks that, according to INX, is a significant solution for sustainability and recycling in the label industry.

Genesis GS washable label inks offer an abundance of environmental, efficiency and print quality benefits. In March, it was recognized by the Association of Plastic Recyclers (APR) for meeting or exceeding the group’s strict testing protocol for washable and recyclable PET shrink sleeve applications.

Genesis GS measures up to the wash off ink recycling processes by meeting or exceeding the PET-CG-02 Critical Guidance Protocol established by APR. It maintains properties in accordance with APR guidelines required for shrink sleeve applications and exhibits excellent bleed resistance in caustic bath solutions. Since the ink is separated from the substrate and removed from the label material during the bath, a complete recyclable package is a real option.

Genesis GS can also be used for floatable roll-fed OPP labels so a customer can print multiple label types with one ink system. Floatable applications require the ink to remain on the substrate after exposure to the caustic bath solution. It has demonstrated excellent results printing at high press speeds, displays fast drying capabilities at low temperatures, and adheres well to several grades of flexible films.

“We are very pleased with the development of Genesis GS and making it a must-have solution for label providers,” says Mark Hill, Senior Vice President R&D for INX International Ink Co. “The environmental benefits are superb. With the ink cleanly removed from the cPET label or floatable with OPP labels, it allows clear bottles to be made through the circular reuse of recovered materials.”

Hill indicated that INX’s R&D staff was able to troubleshoot a PET concern that arose during the testing process.

“Most shrink sleeve bottles are made of PETG resin, which has a lower melting point than PET bottle flake,” he said. “Given that, the film can turn into what is essentially a glue, clumping the PET bottle flakes and making the PET harder to utilize. Additionally, inks from PETG shrink sleeves can discolor the clear bottle flakes. Our new innovations address that issue.”

APR on March 19 informed INX that all colors with and without white backing, and with inside overprint varnish on Bonpet BR1 crystalizable film, met or exceeded APR’s PET-CG-02 Critical Guidance Protocol for Clear PET Articles with Labels and Closures (PDF). The recognition was based on the technical recyclability of the decorated label innovation with PET bottles and applies only to the decorated sleeve labels.

The critical guidance protocol is a multi-industry consensus of key issues related to the recycling of post-consumer PET bottles. It directs innovators to conduct specific testing per established procedures, and the recognition is based on the innovation either meeting or exceeding the most challenging and strictest guidance criteria.