INX International has announced a brand extension for INXhrc RC natural-based inks, which includes a new UV/LED dual cure low migration formulation for plastic and foam-based packaging that joins the UV curable formulation. Both offer a series of operational, regulatory, and sustainable benefits for brand owners and printers.

INX RC LM is a Nestle-compliant, high-performance ink solution with clean, renewable, and sustainable ingredients used for the printing of low migration applications on rigid container packaging. Designed with high levels of biorenewable content and formulated without VOC solvents, it delivers top-tier print quality and reduces the carbon footprint of packaging materials by up to 30%. With excellent adhesion and color consistency attributes, these inks are food-safe for sensitive packaging applications.

“Consumer expectations,” states Renee Schouten, INX International’s vice president of marketing, “for manufacturer accountability in regards to safety and sustainability continues to increase, so low migration inks are becoming a more important consideration for the packaging industry. This is especially true for the impact of plastic and foam-based rigid containers, so we are replacing petrochemical derived resins with natural and renewable materials.

“These two INXhrc RC formulations offer superior dry offset printing quality of rigid containers or decorative packaging, and help lower your carbon footprint. By keeping consumer safety and the environment in mind, you have regulatory confidence and access to a product using biorenewable, clean ingredients without compromising performance,” she adds.

INXhrc RC LM is ideal for non-food contact surfaces on rigid materials. Verified by a third party laboratory as an eco-friendly alternative to standard UV inks by using ASTM D6866-20 Method B, it meets food safety regulatory compliance measures such as Regulation EC No. 1935-2004. Known as the Framework Regulation, it sets requirements for materials to safeguard human health.

The natural components of INXhrc RC are not derived from food crops, ensuring they are non-allergenic and food-safe. Free of harmful chemicals, they do not contain any nanomaterials, fluorochemicals, fanal pigments, heavy metals or PTFE.

INXhrc RC inks provide high strength and gloss, delivering sharp, vibrant colors and eye-catching finishes, and precise color matching with single-pigment bases allow for accurate PMS shade matching. Excellent adhesion and abrasion resistance make for enhanced durability. Enhanced flow and transfer capabilities also make it ideal for dry offset printing on rigid packaging presses such as VanDam, PolyType, and Kase.

Schouten cites a longtime Michigan-based customer who began using INXhrc inks in 2017. A leader in single-use food packaging, it has achieved impressive carbon emissions reductions and strengthened its sustainability goals and environmental responsibilities.

“When Dart Container Corporation made the switch from traditional to natural-based inks with INXhrc, they anticipated a positive effect on their environmental footprint,” explains Schouten. “However, they were surprised by the enhanced ink performance as well.”

Over the course of seven years using INXhrc inks, the world’s largest manufacturer of foam cups and disposable food containers has experienced a major annual decrease of 200 tons of CO2 carbon emissions. Lowering VOC emissions by 75%, Dart created a safer working environment while reducing its environmental impact. The company also improved its pressroom performance with better ink mileage, less downtime, and increased production efficiency while maintaining high print standards.