At Plastindia 2023, the UFlex Chemicals Business displayed a wide range of innovative and latest products and solutions to cater to the emerging needs of the packaging industry. The UFlex Chemicals Business manufactures high-quality inks, adhesives, specialty coatings, and polyols for the converting, offset, paper board and corrugation sectors. This business occupies a leadership position in solvent-based, solvent-free and water-based adhesives, PU ink binders, flexo and gravure inks. The business also offers primers, top coats, heat seal coatings, energy-curable coatings, UV coatings, solvent-borne coatings, UV LED coatings, water-based inks, and radiation-curable inks.
“UFlex has always been taking a lead in the industry in terms of sustainability. Our emphasis is always on developing inks and coatings that can reduce energy and solvent consumption. We are continuously focusing on new-generation inks which can run at high speeds with high solids, low viscosity PU inks that can have a lower solvent intake and better printability. That is one way how converters can save a lot of solvent consumption which is a major component of cost. Meanwhile, we are in the process of standardization of water-based inks for reverse printing on polyester films,” said Rajesh Srivastava, senior vice president, UFlex Chemicals Business.
Srivastava shared that the UFlex Chemical Business is investing heavily in R&D which is enabling the business to develop and offer newer generation products that can reduce the applied cost with the use of inks and solvents as well as the overall energy cost. “One noteworthy initiative in this direction is LED inks and coatings. As energy costs are going north, with a UV curing system mechanism, with our LED inks and coatings, curing can be achieved without generating a lot of heat. We are in fact the first company to manufacture LED inks and coatings in India.
Solvent-free white adhesives
Strengthening its R&D team to bring forth more sustainable initiatives has also helped UFlex gain a competitive edge in the market in addition to introducing breakthrough products and solutions. Srivastava said, “We have received our second patent in October 2022 for solvent-free white adhesives. It is one of our sustainable initiatives to reduce white ink consumption by at least 30 to 40% for any laminate. This means, since there is less use of inks, there will be fewer solvents and less energy consumption. This is one of our sustainable initiatives which reduces ink consumption with the use of laminating adhesives. The adhesive is completely solvent-free and can run at a high-speed lamination machine without compromising on the overall productivity, quality, and lamination bond. This product is now commercially available in both national and international markets.”
Toluene-free initiatives
“We are fully committed to toluene-free initiatives. Our Jammu plant is fully toluene-free. Producing toluene-free inks for food packaging is another EHS initiative by us. I can see that the transition from toluene to non-toluene inks is happening at a much slower pace. However, the good thing is the industry is growing serious about toluene-free inks. Bigger brands and converters have already moved to toluene-free inks, and I am sure others will also follow suit soon. The demand for toluene-free inks in the next 2-3 years will grow much bigger,” concluded Srivastava.