Siegwerk has introduced UniLEAF, a new acrylic-free ink formulation for water-based flexo printing on paper and board, marking a shift in ink design within packaging applications.
The development replaces conventional acrylic resins with polymers derived from regenerative, bio-based raw materials. According to the company, the formulation builds on its existing UniNATURE range, which incorporates renewable raw materials, while extending the use of biogenic content.
“This represents a fundamental shift in the formulation of water-based flexo inks,” said Thibaud Liard, Business Unit Head Paper & Board EMEA at Siegwerk. “By removing acrylic resins, UniLEAF breaks with long-standing industry conventions and establishes a new approach for sustainable ink design.”
The company stated that the new formulation can be integrated into existing ink manufacturing processes without requiring changes to production infrastructure. Manufacturing efficiency and product performance are reported to remain consistent with current systems.
Initial industrial trials compared UniLEAF with UniNATURE, indicating a reduction in carbon dioxide footprint by an additional 50%. The results also show that the share of biogenic carbon in the formulation has more than doubled following the removal of acrylic resins.
In addition, the ink demonstrated reduced energy consumption during drying, with reported savings of more than 15% compared to UniNATURE, while maintaining production speeds.
“With these benefits combined, our new formulation supports converters, printers, and brand owners in meeting their sustainability targets while improving operational costs. At the same time, it helps them prepare for evolving regulatory requirements across the printing and packaging value chain,” said Thomas Lehnen, Head of Technology Paper & Board EMEA at Siegwerk.
The introduction reflects ongoing efforts within the packaging industry to reduce reliance on fossil-based materials and improve process efficiency in flexographic printing.