In offset printing, efforts are currently aimed at reducing the use of inks containing mineral oils. We started using only mineral oil-free intensive printing inks in offset several years ago (UV inks excluded, see below). These inks are made entirely from vegetable oils and are therefore eco-friendlier, in addition, using intensive inks means that less ink is needed overall. Especially when it comes to the production of food packaging, the used printing inks mustn't contain any mineral oils. It is thus essential to make sure that if recycled paper is used, it must be free of mineral oils. The use of waste paper is more environmentally friendly than the use of virgin fibers. The Umweltbundesamt (Federal Environment Agency) therefore also advocates the use of mineral oil-free inks to further optimize the circular economy of graphic papers.
Mineral oil-free printing inks
UV-le Colors
UV inks are becoming more and more deinkable and recyclable. Deinkable describes the ability to remove printing inks from paper. This in turn means that printing colors can be easily separated and removed from the paper fibers during the paper recycling process. Cross-linking inks often cause problems here.
We currently use the following Siegwerk ink series in particular:
Siegwerk sicura low nrgy/Led - Rock
Siegwerk sicura Nutriplast FCM Led (in Packaging)
Siegwerk sicura Litho Pack ***
It is essential that the inks are deinkable to ensure that the paper is recyclable and can therefore be reintroduced into the waste paper cycle. Siegwerk with the sicura Litho Pack series is working at full speed on an color series that can be in direct contact with food in the future. Nevertheless, according to INGEDE, the "Siegwerk sicura Litho Pack" ink series performs very well in deinking (technical data sheet). INGEDE is an international research association for deinking technology, which has established certain standards to promote the recycling of light-colored waste paper (newspapers and magazines) into new graphic and hygiene paper and to improve the framework conditions for increased use of waste paper.
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