SLM series of UV shrinkable low migration inks and coatings

The production of legally compliant food packaging requires that the right choice of Flexographic inks and varnishes is used. With recent developments, the SLM Series of UV inks and coatings offer a range of EuPIA food packaging compliant formulations with special features.

Jet Technologies now offers this new generation of UV shrinkable low migration (SLM) inks used in the manufacture of food packaging and labels. The SLM series has excellent shrink characteristics (more than 70% with good retained adhesion) and these products distinguish themselves with their low migration formulation and good printability, steam or hot air shrink.

Benefits include: no requirement for primer or protective lacquer; excellent adhesion on a range of other synthetic substrates, such as PP, PE, BOPP coated paper; printing speeds of 150-200 m/min (dependent on lamps); resistance to chemicals - good, subject to laboratory testing; and shrink films - typically PVC, PET, PET-G, OPS.

Due to the diverse nature of different substrates, it is essential that each grade/application is tested thoroughly prior to commercial production. To achieve compliance it will be necessary to carry out a suitable evaluation. It must also be remembered that manufacturers of packaging and fill are responsible for the properties of the food packaging and its compliance with legal requirements.

The packaging ink suppliers are not able to issue certificates or declarations of compliance which cover the legal responsibility of others in the packaging chain.

It is important to note that the EuPIA guideline recognises that the requirements are challenging and that there will be a need for a continuous improvement strategy to control potential migrants from packaging inks. It is envisaged that a significant period of time will be required in order to test and, where the required limits are not achieved, to generate an action plan that sets out a program to ensure compliance within an agreed and manageable timescale.

Regulations include: European Commission Regulation (EC) 2023/2006 on good manufacturing practice (GMP) for materials and articles intended to come into contact with food. This has an annex referring to printing inks; Regulation (EC) 1935/2004 in Article 3 requires that materials and articles in contact with food, do not transfer their constituents to food in quantities that could endanger human health or bring about an unacceptable change in the composition of the food or bring about a deterioration in the organoleptic characteristics.