INX International Ink, with Sakata INX, have released Genesis GS washable label inks. In March, the ink was recognised by the Association of Plastic Recyclers (APR) for meeting or exceeding the group’s strict testing protocol for washable and recyclable PET shrink sleeve applications.
Genesis GS meets the PET-CG-02 Critical Guidance Protocol established by APR. It maintains properties in accordance with APR guidelines required for shrink sleeve applications and exhibits bleed resistance in caustic bath solutions. Since the ink is separated from the substrate and removed from the label material during the bath, a complete recyclable package is a viable option.
Genesis GS can also be used for floatable roll-fed OPP labels so a customer can print multiple label types with one ink system. Floatable applications require the ink to remain on the substrate after exposure to the caustic bath solution. The ink is capable of printing at high press speeds, displays fast drying capabilities at low temperatures and adheres well to several grades of flexible films.
‘We are very pleased with the development of Genesis GS and making it a must-have solution for label providers,’ said Mark Hill, senior vice president R&D for INX. ‘The environmental benefits are superb. With the ink cleanly removed from the PET label or floatable with OPP labels, it allows clear bottles to be made through the circular reuse of recovered materials.’
Hill said that INX’s R&D staff was able to troubleshoot a PET concern that arose during the testing process.
‘Most shrink sleeve bottles are made of PETG resin, which has a lower melting point than PET bottle flake,’ he explained. ‘Given that, the film can turn into what is essentially a glue, clumping the PET bottle flakes and making the PET harder to utilise. Additionally, inks from PETG shrink sleeves can discolour the clear bottle flakes. Our new innovations address that issue.’
APR on March 19 informed INX that all colours with and without white backing, and with inside overprint varnish on Bonpet BR1 crystalisable film, met or exceeded APR’s PET-CG-02 Critical Guidance Protocol for Clear PET Articles with Labels and Closures. The recognition was based on the technical recyclability of the decorated label innovation with PET bottles and applies only to the decorated sleeve labels.
The critical guidance protocol is a multi-industry consensus of key issues related to the recycling of post-consumer PET bottles. It directs innovators to conduct specific testing per established procedures, and the recognition is based on the innovation either meeting or exceeding the most challenging and strictest guidance criteria.
