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Flint Group introduces new coatings for enhanced recycling
September 22, 2021 By PrintAction Staff
Flint Group Narrow Web introduces two UV-flexo coating products to improve the recyclability of shrink sleeves and pressure-sensitive labels.
Using different chemistries, the Evolution Deinking Primer and the Evolution Caustic Resistant Overprint Varnish (OPV) are designed to increase the yield of material in the recycling process. Both coatings have been recognized by the Association of Plastic Recyclers to comply with the guidance for PET packaging.
The Evolution Deinking Primer is used on shrink sleeve materials that makes the ink release in the caustic bath of the recycling process. When used with crystallizable polyester shrink sleeve material (CPET), the primer keeps the ink anchored to the substrate through the usable life of the sleeve, but releases it in the caustic bath. The ink is removed from the sleeve material without contaminating the valuable bottle flake. The materials are then rinsed and pelletized into recycled polyester (rPET) for reuse.
The Evolution Caustic Resistant OPV is a UV-flexo overprint varnish to facilitate recycling PET bottles utilizing pressure-sensitive labels. The varnish minimizes contamination of the wash water and bottle flake in the caustic bath by keeping the ink secured to the label substrate. When immersed in the float-sink bath, the label is released from the bottle and floats to the surface where it is separated from the bottle recycling stream.
Neither the Deinking Primer nor the Caustic Resistant OPV has any impact on ink colour, image quality or code readability.
John Pogatschnik, North America marketing manager, Flint Group Narrow Web, said, “The Deinking Primer and Caustic Resistant OPV are simple to use and offer optimal performance at all stages of the label or sleeve life cycle, while meeting the stringent requirements of the APR critical guidance. Switching to these new products is disruption-free, has no adverse effect on functionality and works with our standard inks.”
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