Energy Curing Ink (UV/EB) Market Trend Report

The energy-curable ink (UV/EB) market continued to grow in 2005, and manufacturers communicating with Ink World are optimistic that this growth will continue into 2006. Tony Bean, marketing manager of Sun Chemical's folding carton department, believes that, globally, the use of energy-curable inks is increasing at a rate of 4%.

But at the same time, he pointed out that in some markets, the use of energy-cured inks may have a higher growth rate, but it still only occupies a small part of the entire ink market.
Mr. Bean said “The global printers are looking for opportunities to provide high-value products and services. They know that the ability to own UV or EB printing allows them to take the initiative in the competition. This is why there are so many news publishers ordering UV curing. The reason for the light."

Officials at INX International Ink Company reported an 8-10% increase in energy-cured inks over the past 10 years.

Growing market

The signs show that UV inks continued to expand in various printing fields in 2005. The development of flexible packaging with strong visual impact has become an opportunity for the growth of UV inks.

Dr. Subh Chatterjee, head of the Advanced Technology Group of Sun Chemicals, said: “The use of UV/EB inks in flexible packaging will continue to grow. There are also other UV/EB conductive inks in the electronic and security sectors as the UV curing inkjet market continues to grow. Application growth and the possibility of UV-curable screen printing inks giving up part of the market share to UV flexible inks due to limitations in printing speed."

Pat Carlisle, President of Joules Angstrom UV Printing Inks, said: "In the existing market, such as the direct mail service industry continues to expand the use of UV-cured ink, they continue to invest in printing equipment, the printing business to UV inks."

According to Carlisle, the use of UV inks still has a chance to grow within a reasonable range, he said: “Printers see the benefits of using UV inks, such as faster curing, which increases productivity. UV inks are suitable for use. In any printing situation, although we have not yet seen growth in gravure printing, we see more growth in the business sector, direct mail industry, and non-direct contact food packaging.UV inks have a lot of growth opportunities What we have to do is precisely tell its customers the benefits."

Kathy Marx, vice president and marketing director of Flint Ink, said, “We have seen a 6%-7% increase in UV inks in the sheetfed market, as energy-curable inks and coatings produce clear and sharp printing results. They are widely used in cosmetics, healthcare and media packaging. The cover of popular exhibitions and publications takes advantage of the aesthetic and wear-resistance of UV inks."

According to Gale Waller of INX International Ink's UV/EB Ink Technical Support Department, UV flexo printing, clear and durable coatings, combined UV rotary screen printing, flexo printing, offset printing, and adhesives are the markets where UV inks are most likely to grow. .

Jonathan Graunke, director of UV/EB ink technology at INX International Ink Company, added: “When printed on plastic, the ink is instantly dry. UV ink is a green ink, so it has a lot more advantages than a natural gas oven.”

Dr. Chatterjee believes that as people become increasingly concerned about global warming, the printing industry may have to consider using energy-curable inks, coatings and adhesives to replace traditional products containing VOCs.

Because the cost of investing in EB components has been reduced, many packaging manufacturers have begun using EB technology in the roll printing of folding carton and flexible packaging.

According to Balmer's point of view, the growth of EB inks is limited to existing applications, "almost no use of EB inks in new areas."

Ms. Waller said: “EB inks are commonly used in the food packaging industry, especially in the packaging of frozen foods, ice cream and cereals.”

Mr. Graunke said, "When the new beam technology can reduce the overall equipment and maintenance costs, the prospects are bright, EB ink lack of PI and the degree of curing contribute to the low level of migration of food packaging."

Ms. Waller said that EB ink has been applied worldwide. "This application is growing, Europe is the largest user of this technology, and usage in Japan, Asia and South America is also growing."

advantage

The most prominent advantage of using energy-curable inks, coatings and adhesives is the quick drying, which speeds up the production process and therefore also increases the speed of completion and transportation. The print job rework rate is reduced due to the immediate print quality feedback.

The ability of energy-curable inks to protect prints has greatly improved, reducing the need for coating or laminating products. Dr. Chatterjee explained that UV/EB coatings have a good effect on improving gloss, which increases shelf appeal. These coatings have recently been able to simulate the "stencil" visual effect of the package without the need for actual plastic film compounding, which also increases productivity and economics.

Energy-curable flexible inks can improve print quality due to improved dot definition because high-viscosity inks do not spread as easily as low-viscosity inks and dry instantly. UV flexible inks do not require any adjustment during printing, such as viscosity.

There are also some special considerations when working with UV/EB ink technology.

Dr. Chatterjee said, "Because energy-curing products use different ingredients, energy-curing products have a specific experience curve for any new printing press. Acrylic raw materials can irritate the skin during use, so training and safety protocols must be implemented. He explained that the thickness, surface, and mechanical properties of the coating used were not the same as those used to laminate the plastic film. Therefore, the coated package must be carefully checked when it is used on the machine. The use of adhesion on low surface energy substrates is still a challenge for UV/EB products, so the surface energy must be carefully adjusted.

Dr. Chatterjee said, “Another concern is that, on the surface, EC products cost more per pound than traditional aqueous or solvent-based inks and coatings, which is a special feature for a new printing press. However, he also pointed out that the EC product is 100% solid and will not suffer any loss due to volatilization. Therefore, each pound of EC product can be much higher than the traditional ink consumption rate.

Printers expect UV inks to be more cost-effective and printable.

“The printers are always looking for ways to save money. They want inks and coatings to help them do this. Our job is to find the balance between cost and performance,” said Mr. Rod Balmer, R&D director for Flint Inks. Including the development of curing inks that provide faster printing speed and productivity.”

Mr. Balmer added: "Using UV technology, the balance between economy and performance has always been a problem."

According to Ms. Waller, printers are pursuing better visual effects of UV inks than water-based materials, which can improve the attractiveness of the shelves, and can be attached to a variety of synthetic materials, resulting in better paper running. And significantly improved durability.

The FDA certification has provided a new way for the growth of energy curing technology.

Dr. Chatterjee said, “Sun Chemical helps the ink industry to make energy-curable products FDA-approved for direct food contact. In the 1980s, Sun Chemical developed EB offset printing inks suitable for printing milk cartons. By the 1990s, In order to bring UV/EB products into the food packaging market, Sun Chemicals pioneered the use of water instead of acrylate monomers in the formulation of UV/EB products.These patented products do not require additional drying processes due to UV or EB curing. Helps reduce the odor and skin irritation associated with UV/EB formulation materials and also reduces residue after curing of UV/EB products - factors that must be considered in all food packaging.

Mr. Graunke said, “We are working hard to develop energy-curable products that can be admitted into direct contact with food. Analytical measurement of data is still a challenge. Only companies with strong analytical and test capabilities can do this.”

Pricing considerations

Although UV/EB inks are growing as well as other parts of the ink market, UV/EB inks still face the challenges of rising raw material prices and raw material shortages.

Recently, the price of raw materials has grown too fast, according to Chris Morrissey, vice president of solar chemistry and marketing director, under such circumstances, it is impossible to increase the price of finished ink products to keep up with the increase in raw material prices. . He said that Sun Chemicals has begun to raise prices appropriately and will take all measures that will reduce costs.

Flint Ink recently announced a 10% price increase for all UV ink products. Mr. Marx said: "In addition, we have set an additional 4 cents per pound to compensate for the high transportation costs caused by soaring oil prices."

While raw material prices continue to rise, ink manufacturers face a continuing struggle to raise the price of finished inks.

Mr. Carlisle said that "the pricing has not been raised. The shortage of raw materials and the increase in crude oil prices last year have caused the current frustrating situation. Even if we face shortage of raw materials, we still see some companies cutting prices. They treat ink products as agricultural products. Treated, but the ink product is not agricultural product. It is a high-tech product and it requires a series of development processes and expertise before the final product comes out."

Mr. Carlisle said, “The main challenge is how can you make profits when the price of raw materials goes up, the price of crude oil goes up, and your competitors cut prices. This is a battle. We must bring good faith back to the industry. , I believe that UV products are an area suitable for starting this battle. The move to minimize the importance of UV inks has made all products in the ink industry even more challenging. The printers are staring at the answers we hope to find all the questions. Whether it is related to printing, ink or paper-related issues. We are in a high-tech industry and we should treat ink products as a high-tech product."

Reprinted from: Coatings and Inks