Widely used in the food, pharmaceutical, automotive and packaging industries, inkjet coding technology plays a critical role in marking expiration dates, batch numbers and other important information on products. The environmental impact of the inks used in this process and the chemicals they contain are of great importance for sustainability and safety. This article will detail environmentally friendly inkjet coding inks, chemical contents and selection criteria.
1. Chemical Content of Inkjet Coding Inks Inkjet coding inks are generally divided into three main categories: solvent-based, water-based and UV curable. While each type of ink offers certain advantages, the chemicals it contains need to be evaluated from an environmental and health perspective.
- Solvent Based Inks: They usually contain volatile organic compounds (VOCs) such as methyl ethyl ketone (MEK), ethanol and isopropyl alcohol. While these inks stand out with their fast drying properties, they carry some risks in terms of environmental impacts and worker health.
- Water Based Inks: These inks have lower VOC content and are generally more effective on absorbent surfaces (paper, cardboard). Environmentally friendly, they are a suitable alternative for sustainable production policies.
- UV Curable Inks: It contains photoinitiators in its chemical structure and cures with UV light and adheres to the surface. It is preferred especially on plastic, glass and metal surfaces thanks to its low VOC content and high durability.
2. Environmentally Friendly Alternatives In recent years, environmentally friendly ink alternatives have gained popularity in line with sustainability-oriented production strategies. Among these, the following options stand out:
- Low VOC Inks: These formulas contain fewer volatile components than traditional solvent-based inks, helping to reduce air pollution.
- Biobased Inks: Contain plant-based solvents derived from natural resources and have less environmental impact than petroleum derivatives.
- Water Based Inks: Ideal for use on recyclable materials and have low toxicity.
- Heavy Metal Free Formulas: Inks that use organic pigments instead of environmentally harmful metals such as lead and cadmium are preferred.
3. Considerations When Selecting Inkjet Ink Both performance and environmental factors should be considered when selecting inkjet coding ink. The selection criteria are as follows:
- Compatibility with the Print Surface: Inks specially formulated for different surfaces such as plastic, metal, paper or glass should be preferred.
- Durability: It should be resistant to outdoor conditions, temperature changes and chemicals.
- Drying Time: The fast drying advantage of solvent-based inks should be considered in fast production lines.
- Health and Safety: For food, pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries, inks with low toxicity and suitable for food contact should be preferred.
- Environmental Impact: Inks with low VOC, biobased or recyclable components offer the advantage of sustainable production in the long term.
The choice of inkjet coding ink is a critical issue for both the production efficiency of businesses and environmental sustainability. While solvent-based inks offer the advantage of fast drying, water-based and biobased alternatives offer environmentally friendly solutions. By choosing the right ink, businesses can reduce their carbon footprint, contribute to sustainable production processes and achieve long-term cost advantages.
