Toyo Ink, Toyo Printing Inks, and Toyo Ink Europe, all member companies of the Toyo Ink Group of Japan, will be jointly exhibiting at Interpack 2023. Under the banner of 'Packaging Innovation for a Sustainable Future,' the Group will feature at its stand (Hall 18, Stand F16) solutions that can help brands and packaging converters make the transition to a more circular economy. This entails functional inks and coatings, adhesives, and other specialty materials that help reduce the number of plastics used in packaging and support the shift from multi-material to mono-material packaging. After a six-year pandemic-induced hiatus, the trade event will take place from May 4 to 10 at the Fairground Düsseldorf in Germany.

“Consumers and brand owners are putting greater emphasis on sustainable packaging now more than ever before,” states Hideki Ohba, general manager, Marketing Division, Toyo Ink. “Brands demand materials that reduce their environmental footprint as they seek to align their brand with consumer expectations. This means all of us in the packaging supply chain need to work closely together to realize better structural designs that ensure the packaging of tomorrow can be recycled or reused after its first use. At this year’s interpack, visitors to the Toyo Ink Group stand can expect to find solutions that address these requirements and much, much more.”

Solutions for Increased Circularity

Kicking off this product portfolio is a new lineup of functional coatings used to replace plastic in paper or film packaging as part of the growing drive toward increased recyclability. Product highlights include oxygen barrier coatings and transparent UV-block coatings RV-20010 that serve as a substitute for aluminum in flexible packaging structures. Not only do they shut out unwanted UV rays that can harm packaged content, but they help boost the recyclability of the total package. In addition, a new soft-feel matte coating that protects carton packaging and eliminates the need for a protective plastic layer will make its interpack debut as a product currently undergoing evaluation.

Ultra Energy Efficient, Low VOC Ink Systems

For paper label and package printers looking to learn more about the energy-saving benefits of Toyo Ink’s high-sensitivity UV LED ink systems, the Toyo Ink Group will be showcasing an updated line of low-energy, low-VOC ink systems for sensitive packaging and label printing applications. Steraflex LED Food is the low-odor, low-migration flexo ink engineered to be food-grade compliant following the Swiss Ordinance. Moreover, the Group will show a complete portfolio of UV LED offset inks that exhibit outstanding print and press performance, making it well suited for most label and narrow web applications and in-mold labeling.

Solutions for Enhanced Food Safety

As for solutions that address food safety, the Toyo Ink Group will showcase the LP-9000 Toyo Life Premium Food LO/LM series of sheetfed offset inks. In addition to being INGEDE-certified for drinkability, LP-9000 systems are engineered and manufactured under EuPIA guidelines and Good Manufacturing Practices standards.

The Group will also showcase its total solution approach to metal package production, including its popular internal can coatings that are free of any, intentionally added bisphenol A (BPA-NI) and fully compliant with food contact regulations.

In other products, the Group will spotlight water-based flexo and gravure inks used in flexible packaging, mineral oil-free sheetfed offset inks for food applications, and many other solutions that are safer for human health but also better for the environment and recycling.