Earlier this year, the Food Packaging Forum (FPF) published some interesting insights into the connections between printing ink and adhesive chemicals and food, showing that studies indicated how certain compounds were discovered to have migrated into foodstuffs. 

Collectively, scientists are now aware of nearly 7,500 chemicals that are used in plastic food packaging, with more than 600 of them deemed to be of high concern. Among those identified in recent research were caprolactam (an irritant) and 2-methyl-5-nitroaniline (a suspected carcinogen), which were taken from a list of 110 chemicals whose presence was tested for. 

Of the 110 chemicals considered relevant in the study, 16 of them turned up in food samples analyzed in a laboratory, prompting renewed calls for greater regulation on food contact materials in Europe. 

On the negative side, the FPF underscored the lack of EU definition on acceptable compounds for use in printing ink and adhesives for food contact but simultaneously highlighted the individual “positive list” national measures undertaken by Switzerland and Germany.

Amended Regulations on Food Contact Materials

Tightening regulations on food contact materials within the EU are seen driving aspects of the ink industry forward through more compliant materials, with amendments being published on the European Commission-issued Regulation (EU) 2025/351 earlier this year. 

Key aspects of the published amendments relate to the use of reprocessed plastics (Article 10), greater purity in plastics and chemical substances included therein that might come into contact with food (Article 8), and updates to labeling (Article 14a).

The amendments contain two transitional measures relating to the permissibility of future use under Article 4. Quoted directly from the source, these are:

• Plastic materials and articles complying with Regulation (EU) No 10/2011 as applicable before the entry into force of this Regulation, and any other relevant Union legislation, which were first placed on the market before 16 September 2026 may continue to be placed on the market until the exhaustion of stocks.

• In case a product from an intermediate stage of the manufacturing of plastic materials and articles or a substance intended for the manufacturing of such a product, material or article, which complies with Regulation (EU) No 10/2011 as applicable before the entry into force of this Regulation and which is first placed on the market after 16 December 2025 does not comply with this Regulation, the declaration of compliance accompanying that substance or product shall indicate that it does not comply with this Regulation, and that it can only be used in the manufacture of plastic materials and articles to be placed on the market before 16 September 2026.

Flint Group Responds with New Resin Chemistry

Amid this tightening of legislation, Flint Group has just introduced new printing inks in the form of its new Flexocure® LEAP range, a set of UV inks that will be instrumental in dealing with tightening migration compliance. 

The Flexocure LEAP range has been formulated with a new resin system that substantially reduces the risk of photoinitiator (PI) migration in food packaging applications. Based on UV-Hg curing technology, this delivers a new level of safeguarding that ensures compliance with stringent regulations on chemical migration. It amounts to “an advanced containment approach” that will reinforce printed packaging integrity and maximize a safety-first approach
for brands.

The chemistry within the Flexocure LEAP range gives rise to the benefit of simplifying migration testing requirements, which in turn becomes more efficient and cost-effective for converters. It represents a significant jump forward for the narrow web sector.

Designed with migration risk in indirect food packaging in mind – especially for challenging substrates, such as polyethylene – Flexocure LEAP goes beyond industry expectations and is applicable across a wide range of label and packaging printing applications. Engineered for exceptional print quality and performance, the Flexocure LEAP range delivers high curing speed, strong color strength, excellent adhesion, and outstanding press performance.

European Market Worth US$1.2 Billion

August 2025 has just seen the publication of a brand-new global study on food contact material printing inks from Data Insights Market. The global market for these chemicals has been evaluated at US$4.3 billion this year, with the European market accounting for 28% or about US$1.2 billion. 

The five largest players occupy about 55% of the global market, with Siegwerk being the leader, and the other four major players (Flint, T&K TOKA, DIC Corporation and Sakata INX) not far behind with broadly comparable market shares, which probably emerges from different regional strengths all coming out roughly the same in the
global context.

A summary of the overall shape of and driving forces in the food contact materials printing inks market is conveniently re-imagined in a SWOT analysis. Here are some of the principal findings for the industry and market as they stand
in 2025:

• Strengths

– Innovation is a key strength within the industry, largely driven by the legal requirements, bringing with it R&D work based on sustainable raw materials and renewables that could be developed into altogether new systems.

– Attractive packaging never ebbs from fashion and fuels much of the demand for high-quality printing inks.

– Rapid expansion of the food and beverage sectors, especially in Asia, ensures proliferating demand for sectoral players there.

• Weaknesses

– Poor substitutability between technologies means that it’s difficult to make changes, although digital printing may make some gains in the future.

– Large-client dependency remains because food and beverage giants exert a huge influence on the choice of printing inks and materials used in the packaging of
their goods.

• Opportunities

– Digital printing is ideally suited to flexible packaging and labeling and represents a high-value area for industry.

– Smart packaging is ripe for development and is still broadly associated with indicating temperatures to ensure correct food storage and freshness.

– Print technology continues to be improved in terms of speed, accuracy, and quality, which feeds into the demand for high-quality printing inks.

– E-commerce is placing a new emphasis on ink durability as ordering online and home deliveries gain in popularity.

– Mergers and acquisitions offer routes for companies to acquire businesses in niche areas.

– High-growth economies such as India and China represent fertile ground for market growth.

– Flexible packaging, which is gaining ground in Asia through a shift to single-serve portions, is a key growth area and is attributed to the rising middle class in Asia.

• Threats

– Regulatory impacts demand tighter limits (although this might be seen as an opportunity for industry) by the FDA in the USA, or within the European Union. These also have a habit of pushing up production costs.

– The collective impacts of different regulatory requirements around the world make it harder for industry to stay on top everything, everywhere, all the time.

So, plenty of opportunities and strengths for the sector to play to, and not too much to hold it back!