As public health and safety is scrutinized more than ever before, the advancement of low migration inks is critical. Migration can be defined as the transfer of various components from the printed to the unprinted, product-facing side of the packaging substrate. Therefore, low migration inks are products specifically designed for food-safe packaging applications, and they have undergone extensive migration testing to meet compliance requirements.

According to Siegwerk, low migration inks are typically formulated with higher molecular weight chemicals and carefully selected pigments and additives, which significantly reduce the potential for migration. Often, ink ingredients that are prone to migrate are contaminants or so-called non-intentionally added substances (NIAS). The same raw material from two different suppliers might have different contaminations that could lead to an exclusion of one of them for low migration products, although from another supplier the same substance
is approved.

Due to an increasing list of regulations and legislation regarding food contact materials (FCM), the interest in low migration inks has predictably surged. “Governments around the world are enacting stricter measures to ensure that packaging materials prevent the transfer of potentially harmful substances into products meant for consumption, safeguarding public health and safety,” remarks Marc Heylen, senior director NW, R&D & Technology, Flint Group. “FCM inks are specially formulated to comply with such regulations, making them mandatory for applications where migration risk is a concern.”

“The driving cause behind this trend is the growing demand for safer packaging solutions,” adds Rebecca Lipscomb, director of Global Regulatory Affairs, INX International Ink Co. “Consumers are more conscious about the quality and safety of the food they consume, and brands are keen to protect their reputation by using packaging materials that comply with safety regulations. Advancements in ink technology have made low migration inks more effective and reliable, further boosting their adoption.”

This popularity is demonstrated by continued growth in the sector. According to Future Market Insights, the global FCM inks market is projected to grow from approximately $1.4 billion in 2023 to $2.8 billion by 2033 at a CAGR of 6.9%. 

“Such growth is encouraging innovation from ink suppliers, with new formulations and technologies emerging to improve print quality and ease of use for converters,” adds Heylen. “As these regulations tighten, brand owners increasingly require certainty that their packaging will be viable for use in multiple markets for years to come. The best FCM inks provide this certainty, as they are formulated for broad compliance with incoming rules, irrespective of region.”

An important factor to keep in mind about products optimized and formulated for low migration is that success is not guaranteed. There are several factors that influence the success of a low migration construction, notes Mark Lambert, technical product manager, ACTEGA, which include logistics and the traceability process, the materials and substrates used, and printing press conditions.

“Key considerations include maintaining proper hygiene, ensuring clean printing environments and managing production speeds, especially when working with UV materials,” says Lambert. “By addressing these variables, the risk of contamination can be
significantly minimized.”

Low migration inks are most often seen in industries that deal with sensitive packaging applications, where product safety is vital to the health of the consumer. The food and beverage, pharmaceutical, and medical sectors are among the most popular markets for these inks. However, other sectors, such as personal care and cosmetics, also make use of these inks. The newest technologies have been engineered to help prevent ink components from migrating from the packaging into the food, drink, or drug.

The changing nature of products has placed further emphasis on the need for food-safe inks. “As packaging trends shift toward more plastics and single-use containers, concerns about ink migration have intensified,” comments Dean Radford, head of technology, Narrow Web North America, Siegwerk. “The growth of sensitive industries like food and pharmaceuticals, which require strict adherence to safety standards, has further accelerated the use of low migration inks. Additionally, advancements in ink technology have made this class of inks more accessible and efficient, encouraging their widespread adoption.”

These inks have not been developed without challenges, either. “One challenge with low migration inks has historically been maintaining vibrant color and durability,” says Andrew Wasserman, managing partner and co-founder, Cyngient. “Recent advancements in pigment dispersion and resin technologies have overcome this barrier, enabling sharper images, brighter colors, and greater scratch resistance. This allows brands to maintain eye-catching designs while adhering to strict safety standards.”

As with any UV or UV LED construction, curing profiles vary from application to application, which is dependent on press capabilities, ink volume, substrate, and more. “The primary challenge lies in determining the proper cure to meet the end-use expectations,” states Lambert. “While cost isn’t necessarily a challenge, it is an important factor to consider during the consultative stage with both your customer and supplier.”

For converters looking into this space, they must remember that inks play just one part of the process. “It is important to understand that low migration is a system rather than just a type of ink,” explains Heylen. “Converters must consider the entire printing process. Regular migration testing is also vital for maintaining compliance, because performance can falter over time as equipment ages or production processes change.”

According to Sun Chemical, a pressroom should have specific technology dedicated to the use of low migration ink products. “A clean press and clean working environment are vital in the production of packaging for food and other sensitive products,” explains Dennis Sweet, vice president – NWTL, Rycoline and Distributors, Sun Chemical. “Presses that use typical inks and coatings often become tainted with photoinitiators that can be difficult to purge from the press rollers. Presses that are dedicated exclusively to low migration packaging provide converters with a number of benefits, including reduced downtime in changeovers, decreased cleaning, and less waste.”

Paramount for converters is understanding that using low migration products is not a simple plug-and-play solution, adds Lambert. “It’s crucial to avoid assuming any low migration product can be sent to customers without considering the application or construction,” he says. “The use of low migration technologies requires a consultative approach to work with your supplier and customer to find the right product, print construction, application, end-use criteria, and products for the best fit.”

There are many variables that impact the migration of substances that must be taken into account, notes Lipscomb. A combination of factors play a significant role in the overall migration risk. “The type of substrate material used for packaging, such as plastic, paper, or cardboard, can affect the migration potential, and the printing process method and conditions under which the ink is applied can influence how well the ink adheres and its potential to migrate,” explains Lipscomb. 

“It is critical that proper GMPs (Good Manufacturing Practices) are utilized during the converting process to ensure proper curing of all materials,” notes Sweet. “Curing equipment must be well maintained and audited frequently, and strict quality control measures must be implemented in the converting process to account for the often-dynamic conditions of press runs and to prevent any cross-contamination of materials.”

Converters must also be mindful of storage condition factors, such as temperature, humidity, and exposure to light, which can impact the stability of the ink and the potential for migration over time. “The nature of the food product being packaged (fatty, acidic, or aqueous, for example) can also affect migration levels,” adds Lipscomb. “And the presence of functional barrier layers in the packaging can help reduce migration by limiting the contact between the ink and the food product.” 

Finally, it is important to address the critical role converters play in the efficacy of a label containing low migration inks. “Converters play an essential role in ensuring that GMPs are followed, specifically by ensuring adequate curing or drying of inks and coatings, and preventing contamination during the labeling and packaging processes,” states Radford. “They must audit their processes and conduct periodic migration spot testing to ensure compliance with regulatory standards. Converters are responsible for managing the entire label or package they provide, including the proper selection of substrates, adhesives, and other components. For those considering switching to low migration inks, it is crucial to maintain a compliant printing environment, which includes thoroughly cleaning printing equipment to eliminate residual contaminants.”

Increasing legislation

One factor to remember for converters in this market includes the rise of legislation designed to protect the public. As Flint Group notes, legislation regarding FCM and low migration inks is occurring globally. 

For example, all food packaging used in Germany will be subject to new provisions under the incoming German Printing Inks Ordinance (GPIO). These will include a permitted list of more than 500 raw materials for inks and varnishes intended for food
contact applications.

“Converters considering adopting this technology also need to be familiar with relevant legislation,” notes Flint Group’s Heylen. “Many will find themselves navigating a complex web of shifting regulations that are not always comprehensive. Best practice guidance is available from multiple sources today to help fill in the gaps.”

Sun Chemical notes that analytical validation of converted materials should be completed on a regular basis to help converters understand if their low migration inks and coatings meet both brand owner requirements and government regulations.

“While many chemicals continue to be reclassified worldwide, Sun Chemical closely monitors these changes to ensure our products remain in compliance with health and safety guidelines from various government agencies and other leading industry bodies,” states Derrick Hemmings, product manager, Screen, Energy Curable Flexo, LED North America, Sun Chemical. “Regular extraction and migration testing of finished printed materials should be conducted to ensure these requirements are met.”

Under the EU’s Regulation (EC) 1935/2004, printing inks are currently not subject to any specific measures for food contact applications. “Printed plastic materials are covered, but there is no harmonized approach between countries to regulate ingredients in printing inks,” adds Heylen. “This has created a network of rules across markets with sometimes significant differences in what ingredients are permitted.”

Suppliers optimize their products to adhere to a wide range of legislation. ACTEGA’s ACTExact SafeShield UV LED inks, for example, meet a comprehensive list of global and regional regulatory requirements, including Swiss Ordinance Annex 6 A & B listed raw materials; Nestlé 2018 Exclusion List Compliance; EUPIA Exclusion List Compliant; No ECHA SVHC (Substances of Very High Concern); CONEG/ TPCH (no lead, mercury, cadmium, or hexavalent chromium); TSCA and REACH Compliant; and FDA Migration Models.

New products

There are a wide range of new low migration ink formulations on the market today. ACTEGA offers ACTExact SafeShield UV LED and UV inks, developed for use in low migration applications such as indirect food contact, cosmetics, and nutraceutical packaging for global markets. These inks include a full line of four color and extended gamut process inks, as well as line colors, PMS and special color matches upon request. They have been rigorously tested and validated, both internally and externally, by the top industry laboratories, including Rutgers University, to ensure compliance with all
regulatory requirements.

Cyngient continues to reinvest in development and technology to ensure the company stays ahead of the technological curve that deals with brand and customer needs for low migration inks, coatings, and adhesives. With advanced curing technologies, including UV, UV LED, dual UV, water-based, multi-cure, and proprietary curing methods, Cyngient’s products have been engineered to deliver excellent results, from enhanced durability and adhesion to vibrant color and finish.

Meanwhile, Flint Group offers EkoCure ANCORA, a UV dual (UV LED and UV Hg) curable ink that combines LED curing with FCM in technology. This enables food-safe printing with high reliability and productivity.

“EkoCure ANCORA complies with indirect food contact regulations to offer low migration on unsupported film and label substrates alike,” states Heylen. “The ink is compliant with the Nestlé guidance note on packaging inks (April 2024), the Swiss Ordinance on Materials and Articles (SR 817.023.21), the EuPIA Exclusion policy, and more.”

INX’s newest low migration ink was introduced in December 2024. A brand extension of natural-based inks, INXhrc RC is a new UV LED low migration formulation for plastic and foam-based sensitive packaging and joins the tried-and-true UV curable formulation. Both offer a series of operational, regulatory, and sustainability benefits  for brand owners and printers. 

In early 2024, Siegwerk launched SICURA NUTRIFLEX ORBIS DC along with a range of coatings, primers, and adhesives. These new dual cure inks offer properties similar to standard inks, enabling converters to use existing tooling and achieve faster production speeds, thus lowering production costs. In addition, Siegwerk offers a range of products and coatings in water-based flexo and solvent chemistries that are meeting requirements for food packaging.

Sun Chemical has developed numerous products. The Solarflex Accuflex UV flexo ink system is designed for primary and secondary food packaging applications where low odor and extractables are required. These inks are not manufactured with any BPA-based materials, meeting specifications for low migration. Plus, the Solarwave UV LED ink series contains a higher content of polymeric ingredients, which comply with strict global low migration standards in the marketplace. Finally, SunCure Advance UV inks and coatings integrate seamlessly with low migration offset applications.

“Sun Chemical has been designing, testing, and promoting low migration technology for many years and is committed not only to compliance with the FDA and European Commission’s food guidelines and regulations, but also to going beyond compliance whenever possible and practicable,” adds Sweet.

Low migration ink trends to watch

As the demand for safer, more sustainable packaging continues to grow, low migration inks are taking center stage in the printing and packaging industry. These specialized inks, designed to minimize the transfer of substances from packaging to products, are more critical than ever in industries like food, pharmaceuticals, and cosmetics. Cyngient has addressed some of the key trends to watch in this space.

There has been an LED curing revolution, says Cyngient’s Andrew Wasserman. The shift from traditional UV curing to energy-efficient LED curing is accelerating. LED curing systems not only reduce energy consumption but also improve curing precision, making them the perfect match for low migration formulations.    

Sustainability is also taking the lead, as it’s now a necessity. “Low migration inks are being reformulated with bio-based and renewable materials, aligning with eco-friendly packaging goals and reducing environmental impact,” notes Wasserman.    

There is also an expanding range of applications to recognize. While food safety has been the primary driver, these inks are now expanding into new markets like health supplements, cosmetics, and even smart packaging. The ability to safely integrate QR codes and NFC technologies adds value for brands looking to innovate.   

“An emerging trend is the development of hybrid low migration ink systems that combine UV LED technology with water-based or solvent-based formulations,” says Wasserman. “These hybrid inks deliver the advantages of UV curing, such as rapid drying and high resistance, while ensuring compatibility with a wider range of applications and substrates.”

Plus, gone are the days when low migration meant sacrificing color vibrancy or durability. Advances in formulation have made it possible to deliver sharp, vibrant designs with excellent adhesion and scratch resistance.    

Cost efficiency is also on the rise. “Innovations in production and curing are making these inks more affordable, enabling converters and printers of all sizes to adopt low migration solutions without breaking the bank,” states Wasserman. “At Cyngient we’re excited to be part of this transformation, delivering cutting-edge low migration inks that meet evolving industry demands.”