Global print consumables manufacturer Flint Group has revealed strong early success of its UV LED ink range, EkoCure ANCORA F2 with dual curing capability, following its launch in Europe at the end of 2022. The company’s UV LED Dual Cure ink range builds on the original winning formula of its EkoCure ANCORA range, specifically designed for food packaging and labelling.  Flint Group’s Dual Cure inks and coatings are uniquely designed to cure using a traditional UV lamp or low-energy UV LED.  These products are compatible with any curing system on any narrow or mid-web press, enabling printers still using traditional mercury-based UV lamps to smoothly transition to more sustainable UV curing processes at their own pace.

With optimized curing speed, improved rheology, and lower viscosity, EkoCure ANCORA F2 delivers better press performance for long runs in chambered doctor blade systems. Furthermore, these inks provide enhanced adhesion to a wide range of substrates, such as coated & uncoated papers, PE (polyethylene), top-coated PE, PP, BOPP, and other films. Importantly, EkoCure ANCORA F2 offers reduced energy consumption, reducing the total cost to print. A clear value proposition for narrow web printers and converters.

“EkoCure ANCORA F2 is ideal for food labelling & packaging applications and designed for today’s print and packaging industry. More importantly, it’s the perfect solution to future-proof our customers’ presses,” says Niklas Olsson, global director product & commercial excellence, Narrow Web at Flint Group. “We formulated this range to deliver the best print quality and dot sharpness obtainable while offering excellent adhesion to synthetic substrates. It provides the performance, efficiency, and versatility benefits that printers seek. EkoCure ANCORA F2 is a product that helps printers who have not yet switched to LED curing to prepare for the future,” Olsson continued. “UV LED technology uses far less power than traditional mercury lamps and has a longer lifespan. Many customers are switching to LED for precisely these reasons. We’re delighted with the strong response from customers using UV LED lamps and that customers using mercury lamps can print using the same high-performance solution.” 

Available in a full range of Pantone colors, plus opaque whites, EkoCure ANCORA F2 can be used in various food labels and packaging applications – unsupported films, self-adhesive and in-mould labels, and cold foiling. These inks are a complete, high-performance, low-migration solution that meet the stringent requirements of paper and film labels and shrink sleeves for food packaging.

The rollout of this ink has met a positive response across Europe and builds upon more than ten years of success in UV LED ink and coating developments. With a portfolio of products, including its Flexocure series of inks, Flint Group says it is proud to be the UV and LED ink pioneer.