The evolution of flexible packaging guided by the sustainability principles requires solutions compatible with mechanical recycling. Several studies have identified in polyurethane-based components a potential solution which COIM is working on through the involvement of its research teams on an international scale.

C.O.I.M. S.p.A., an Italian multinational company that has manufactured chemical products since 1962 and that operates worldwide through nineteen manufacturing and sales companies, exploiting the competitive advantage of being able to produce polyurethane from the raw material polyester within the company, is investing in several research and development projects with a view to offering a full range of solutions for recyclable polyurethane-based flexible packaging, including inks.

The COIMINKS Inks for Flexible Packaging

Coim’s presence in the ink sector is supported by two principal operating units, in Europe at San Martino in Strada (Italy) and in Brazil at its production plant in Vinhedo. Both plants have a full range of solvent and water-based inks for Flexo and Gravure printing for packaging. The research and development teams, based at the Innovation Center of Offanengo and at the R&D center in Vinhedo, are working to satisfy the technical market demands and to develop new systems in synergy with the new regulations.

Coiminks Solvent-Based Inks: Available with Concentrated Solvent Bases (Pastes) and Technological Varnishes.

It is an easy-to-manage modular system, which enables different series of ink for external printing and lamination to be obtained from concentrated pastes and technological varnishes.

Through this system, using a minimal number of components, ready-to-use inks capable of efficiently covering multiple applications can be obtained.

The Coiminks inks obtained using this modular system effectively meet wide-ranging performance needs on different surfaces, in full compliance with the various regulations governing Flexible Packaging.

To complete the range, Coiminks offers series of ready-to-use inks for specific applications.

COIM Group’s experience and synergy in manufacturing polyurethane systems represent great added value and are used in developing PU resin-only gravure and flexo inks (PRISMA SYSTEM).
Coiminks’ printing inks are also available in a single-solvent (ethyl acetate) formulation particularly indicated for solvent recovery systems in line with the printing process.

“We are working to achieve mechanical recycling of plastic flexible packaging without downgrading of the materials, which currently obliges the reuse of recycled plastic for less noble applications than the original ones, such as the production of benches and plastic bags. In fact, this is not a truly sustainable process,” explains Ivo Sensini, COIM’s Flexible Packaging Inks Division Manager. “We are therefore working towards the aim of replacing nitro-based inks with polyurethane-based inks that enable transparent crystalline granules that can be used for all types of application to be obtained in the recycling phase.”

In addition to the recycling requirement, polyurethane-based inks must meet the need to obtain a printing quality equivalent to that currently available in the flexible packaging sector. In fact, the entire sector has worked extensively to develop printing techniques that provide excellent quality at a high speed, even of extremely complex images, to meet the particularly sought-after standards of European packaging. COIM is also working to ensure, with polyurethane-based inks, the same printability as the inks currently in use.

Not Just Inks: COIM’s “3 in 1” Offer

“COIM is committed to identifying recyclable solutions not only in inks but also in coatings and adhesives for flexible packaging, in line with our “3 in 1” strategy, which enables us to provide our customers with complete flexible packaging solutions,” explains Luca Gianzini, COIM’s Marketing and M&A Manager. “Recently, for example, Recyclass approved the COIM adhesive Novacote® NC 560 A + CA 101’ as fully compatible with the recycling stream of polyethylene in Europe,” states Luca Gianzini, COIM’s Marketing and M&A Manager.

What’s new from COIM at DRUPA 2024

COIM GROUP will take part in the DRUPA 2024 event, during which it will present significant advancements that will enrich its range of solutions for the flexible packaging sector. These innovations will be produced by COIM both in Europe and in South America.

“COIM’s presence at the DRUPA event represents an additional element of the company’s strategy for the flexible packaging sector. This strategy contemplates a focus of investments in this sector over the next three years. During the DRUPA event, we intend to present a new, broadened range of products in order to expand our offer,” states Luca Gianzini, COIM’s Marketing and M&A Manager.