Sun Chemical has enhanced its portfolio of nitrocellulose-alternative inks designed specifically for flexible packaging applications, supporting converters, retailers, and consumer packaged goods (CPG) companies.

This new portfolio helps companies navigate changing market dynamics and stricter packaging regulations. 

The inks address the known challenges of solvent-based inks and coatings containing nitrocellulose, while being fully compatible with recycling processes, in line with RecyClass and CEFLEX design guidelines.

The expanded portfolio underscores Sun Chemical’s commitment to innovation that balances sustainability, performance, and supply security. 

Nitrocellulose (NC) has long been used in solvent-based inks and coatings, but faces supply issues, rising costs, and sustainability concerns. Its thermal instability during high-temperature recycling causes odor, discoloration, and contamination, affecting the quality of recyclability, reducing its potential for reuse.

By replacing NC, Sun Chemical’s NC-alternative portfolio reinforces value for converters and brand owners across four key elements. 

Firstly, the ink helps converters mitigate risks from supply chain volatility. Beyond risk reduction, the inks deliver added value through total cost of goods benefits, such as lower eco-modulated Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) fees, ensuring efficiency. 

They also support sustainability by enabling recyclability in line with packaging design guides and meeting end-of-life requirements, while helping reduce regulatory costs and ensuring the availability of quality recyclate to meet plastic tax requirements. 

Sun Chemical offers a large portfolio of NC-alternative inks, coatings, primers, and adhesives, optimised to work together as a complete system. Available for both flexo and gravure printing, the portfolio includes:

• SunSpectro SolvaCycle solutions for surface printing
• SunStrato DuraCycle, SunStrato Duratort, and SunStrato Duralam for lamination printing 
• SunUno SoliCycle, a versatile multipurpose option that can be used for both surface and lamination printing.

Mehran Yazdani, President, Packaging and Advanced Materials at Sun Chemical, commented:

“Our NC-alternative solutions offer customers a clear pathway to sustainable growth. By mitigating supply risks, enabling efficiencies, and supporting end-of-life recyclability targets, we’re giving our customers the solutions they need to meet evolving brand, retailer, and regulatory demands, without compromise on quality or safety. This enhanced portfolio reflects Sun Chemical’s long-term investment in innovation, expertise, and collaboration with converters to deliver value beyond ink and to allow them to ‘Experience. Transformation’.”

With global supply capabilities across Europe, the Middle East, Africa, the Americas, and Asia, Sun Chemical ensures solutions are tailored to local market needs. 

Working closely with its customers, Sun Chemical has already supported successful transitions across multiple regions with its NC-alternative solutions.