With the AquaHeat platform, Sun Chemical has launched a new generation of food-safe, bio-based printing inks. These inks enable full-colour printing for high-temperature food applications, thereby opening up previously unfeasible possibilities for packaging in the bakery and catering sectors.
The AquaHeat ink range has been tested with food-safe ingredients at temperatures of up to 220 °C, making it the ideal choice for applications such as bread, pastries or ready meals that are baked in their final packaging. All components, including the pigments, have been selected for their suitability for high temperatures and their safe migration levels for applications in close proximity to food. The inks support the production of materials that comply with all relevant EU regulations and can be processed using gravure or flexographic printing methods in the same way as conventional water-based inks, allowing them to be integrated into existing production environments.
AquaHeat inks deliver vibrant print results on a wide range of substrates, including paper, board and film. The range comprises 10 base colours. Sun Chemical also provides tools for designers, such as the ‘GamutViewer’ software and the ‘SunDigiGuide’ colour guides, which can help predict achievable colours. The printing inks consist of up to 60 per cent bio-based ingredients and have been awarded the ‘2024 Sustainable Innovation Award’ by the British Coatings Federation.
Eric Dejean, Product Director at Sun Chemical, explains: “Brand owners and food packaging manufacturers have long sought to develop unique packaging that accompanies processed food products throughout their entire lifecycle, ensuring both safety and visual appeal. At Sun Chemical, we are committed to supporting them with value-driven solutions that strengthen brands, increase efficiency, mitigate risks and promote sustainability.”
Sun Chemical
Sun Chemical, a member of the DIC Group, is recognised as a leading manufacturer of packaging and graphic solutions, colour and display technologies, functional products, electronic materials, and products for the automotive and healthcare industries. Together with DIC, Sun Chemical is working to develop sustainable solutions, and with over 21,000 employees worldwide, the companies of the DIC Group support a wide range of global customers.
