Two Sun Chemical employees – Ralph Arcurio and Jim Bishop – were presented with the National Association of Printing Ink Manufacturers’ (NAPIM) Pioneer Award, one of the most prestigious honors in the ink manufacturing industry.

The Pioneer Award honors those who have given more than 20 years of service to the printing ink industry through their work with one or several printing ink companies or suppliers, in addition to service work with ink associations, production clubs and other committees. NAPIM also considers technical contributions in the areas of laboratory, engineering, production or product development.

“Ralph and Jim truly are pioneers in our industry and are more than deserving of this award from NAPIM,” comments Russell Schwartz, chief technology officer, Sun Chemical. “Ralph’s work with polymers and Jim’s leadership in energy curing technology is unparalleled. We’re thrilled that NAPIM has recognized each of them for their well-deserved achievements and long-term commitment to the printing ink industry.”

“I’ve known both Jim and Ralph for many years and have great respect for their technical knowledge and expertise,” says George Fuchs, director – Regulatory Affairs and Technology, NAPIM. “More importantly, they have both shown a willingness to share their knowledge for the betterment of our industry. I was extremely pleased to be able to be present and see them recognized with these well-deserved industry awards.”

Arcurio has provided 38 years of service to the advancement of polymer development. Granted 13 patents with seven more pending, Arcurio developed and commercialized overprint varnishes that protect packaging structures as well as high production volume resins for flexible packaging that enables quality graphics and high-performance lamination. Under his management, Sun Chemical is in the process of rolling out the next generation of polymers that will address the need for sustainability, supply chain challenges and regulatory mandates based on natural and recycled materials.

Arcurio’s been honored with the “Inventor of the Year Award” by the New Jersey Inventors Hall of Fame in 2016. He holds a master’s degree in polymer chemistry from the New Jersey Institute of Technology and bachelor degrees in chemistry and economics from Rutgers University.

Bishop has been an instrumental expert and leader in electron beam curing technology since its inception over 40 years ago. A global lead for electron beam (EB) and UV technology for flexible film packaging and offset printing, Bishop helped Sun Chemical to win two Intertech GATF awards (now Printing Industries of America) for technical achievement and innovation. The honored inks propelled the advancement of migration compliant inks for sensitive packaging in 2012 and helped offset printers reach productivity goals while also significantly improving environmental performance in 2006.

Bishop was one of six R&D chemists at Sun Chemical to develop the EB platform for long range development products and has even worked with a Chamber of Commerce in Mitchell, South Dakota to educate the next generation of printers by creating training for trade schools.

The awards were given during NAPIM’s 2023 convention, which was held March 24-26 in Napa Valley, Calif. They join a long list of Sun Chemical employees over the company’s 200+ year history to be recognized for important industry accomplishments.