First Plant-Based Ink from Ricoh Enhances Graphics and Packaging Print Sustainability
17 February 2022: Ricoh has developed plant-based ink, a first for mainstream graphics and packaging print applications. The ink is a derivative of the oil-based ink created for the décor printing sector as part of Ricoh’s collaboration with German equipment manufacturer Olbrich. It has been developed to deliver excellent rub resistance and set-off performance for corrugated brown and white boards, as well as for carton boards.
The plant oil component claims to create a sustainable and environmentally friendly ink that it is quick drying, odour-free, biodegradable, and supports deinking. Furthermore, it is not water-based, so no biocides are required to keep the ink usable. In addition to that, print heads are said to be easier to clean and less likely to clog as open time is much longer. This helps to enhance jetting reliability, performance and print head life. Low ink consumption is also enabled as the same optical density is achievable using 50% less ink.
Graham Kennedy, Director Industrial Printing Graphic Communications at Ricoh Europe, said, “Brand owners and printer manufacturers are increasingly focused on reducing their environmental impact and applying sustainable practices wherever possible. With our new plant-based ink they can seamlessly introduce positive changes that make a big difference without impacting their high quality printed results.”
www.ricoh-europe.com
