German based hubergroup has unveiled a new polyurethane (PU) based printing ink for flexographic printing.
The new ink series is primarily intended for use in complex film lamination applications.
Branded as Gecko Platinum, the new ink series is said to blend perfectly into its existing family comprising Gecko flexo and gravure inks.
The new ink series uses a PU binder system when compared to the Gecko series which are based on nitrocellulose (NC).
hubergroup said that it went with the PU based system as NC systems because of the limited thermostability of nitrocellulose cannot be used in applications involving sterlisation.
hubergroup Liquid Inks technology management director Lutz Frischmann revealed that hubergroup has conducted extensive field trials of its new ink series in combination with different solvent-free adhesive systems.
The trials had confirmed that Gecko Platinum provided consistently high bond strength values in standard and high-performance applications, which also includes sterilisation.
Besides that, the print quality of Gecko Platinum is said to be offer better results even when it comes to fine halftone designs having 60 lines per cm or more.
hubergroup Liquid Inks product management director Giuseppe Gianetti said: “The downsizing of print runs is a key factor in Europe, and retortability is supporting this concept very well thanks to the wide range of applications open.
“The availability of high-performance inks for sterilisation applications now enables flexo to fight for a share of this market, too. Gecko Platinum Flexo opens up new market opportunities for forward-thinking flexo printers in areas that until now have been the preserve of gravure printers."
Gecko Platinum will be available as ready-to-use links.
