Zeller+Gmelin North America, manufacturer and innovator of printing inks and coatings, is pleased to announce the success of their newest ink product line, EarthPrint™. EarthPrint™ ink systems are formulated to achieve maximum color quality while facilitating the ink wash off process to increase the recyclability of printed goods.
The eco-friendly product line was released in late 2022 for dry offset rigid plastics printing, using UV or LED curing processes. The product line has since been expanded to flexographic applications, with current inks in final testing and refinement. Over the past year, multiple industry leaders have signed on as early adopters of the dry offset line utilizing EarthPrint™ in their production and testing. Zeller+Gmelin is pleased to announce the product’s proven success in maintaining color brilliance and adhesion, while achieving its recyclability goals for rigid plastics, at these facilities.
“EarthPrint™ has become a core product line focus, bringing Zeller+Gmelin North America to the forefront of sustainability for plastic packaging substrates. From growing demands for sustainable packaging and reduce plastic production, the EarthPrint™ product line was strategically formulated to boost print sustainability and alleviate raw material shortages and supply chain volatility,” states Tim Smith, Z+G Rigid Plastics Business Manager.
The EarthPrint™ dry offset inks are formulated from the established 71 through 78 product lines, with the enhancement of full caustic wash off capabilities provided by EarthPrint™. The EarthPrint™ Flexo system combines the high-performance print properties of existing Zeller+Gmelin UV/LED NUVAFLEX® inks with a specially formulated UV recycle primer to also improve the ink wash off and recyclability of label and narrow web applications. With higher amounts of ink wash off, plastic materials can be effectively recycled into cleaner containers, tubes and packaging that require less virgin material for packaging brilliance.
Zeller+Gmelin R&D Technicians strictly followed all Association of Plastic Recycling (APR) standards and protocols throughout the development and testing of EarthPrint™ to ensure maximum recyclability. Using these new eco-conscious ink systems, printers are contributing to the sustainability of the packaging industry by creating finished goods that can be recycled cleaner and brighter, requiring less raw materials and reducing plastic production.
“After extensive R&D efforts, we are excited to witness the success EarthPrint™ ink solutions are bringing to our dry offset customers and we look forward to the future success of our Flexo line. EarthPrint™ has given printers a competitive advantage that helps them realistically achieve their sustainability goals,” says Brian Felts, Director of Sales. “ Zeller+Gmelin is committed to continuous innovation for ink and packaging sustainability. Our LabelExpo Americas stand was a great success as we promoted EarthPrint alongside our animal friends to ‘Color Today’s World for Tomorrow.’”
Converters are invited to contact a Zeller+Gmelin Account Manager to discuss their print processes prior to ordering the new eco-friendly ink solution. Sales contacts and informational brochures are available on the company website at www.zeller-gmelin.us. To discuss Zeller+ Gmelin’s printing ink and coating solutions, please contact 804-275-8486 or submit a message online at www.zeller-gmelin.us/contact.