Reducing CO₂ emissions by over 50% through sustainable packaging

"Sustainable Development Goals," "plastic waste," "The Paris Agreement" and "circular economy" have become common expressions when discussing the packaging industry's efforts to address environmental issues. In the food & beverage and the retail sectors, major global manufacturers continue to rethink the use of plastic straws, plastic shopping bags or other single-use plastics in their packaging strategies as environmental awareness grows by the day, including among general consumers.
Sustainable packaging is no longer just a concern for a few related markets. It is now a social issue that all product markets and industries must face, especially those in the field of containers and packaging.

1Compared to conventional solvent-based gravure printing, water-based flexo and gravure systems can reduce CO₂ emissions by 50% or more.

2Ensuring a seamless transition to water-based printing

When transitioning from solvent- to water-based printing and inks, maintaining packaging color reproducibility and function are two of the primary concerns.
However, new technological advances from Toyo Ink enable our water-based systems to reach a performance standard on flexible packaging materials that are on par with solvent-based systems. See below print sample comparison of solvent-based gravure, water-based gravure and water-based flexo inks.

Zoom in

Different printing systems have different color gamuts. Thus, it is important to manage colors to ensure true-to-life color reproduction. When introducing water-based inks, it is necessary to adjust various factors related to printing so that consistent and accurate color can be achieved throughout a workflow.
No need to worry about quality discrepancies in color reproducibility when changing from solvent- to water-based systems. Toyo Ink Group technicians will guide and support you every step of the way including with color management, to make sure you make a smooth transition to a more environmentally friendly printing operation.

JAPAN

Water-based ink systems are used in the reverse printing of labels and lamination of food packaging, including retort processing.
These inks reduce carbon dioxides and VOC emissions during packaging printing for a cleaner pressroom environment.

Beverage bottle label printing

Snack packaging lamination

The "Water-based mark" of Japan certifies that the packaging materials used in a product are 100% water-based and solvent free. (For more details, see the home page of the Japan Health Business Federation.)

GLOBAL MARKET OUTSIDE JAPAN

Water-based ink was used in snack lamination and retort packaging to meet safety compliance with local chemical substances regulations and to raise our customer’s social recognition as an environmentally friendly brand.

Snack (lamination) packaging

Retort (lamination) packaging

Toyo Ink Group possesses all the areas of expertise to achieve high quality printing with water-based inks. Along with a broad choice of inks including Gravure and Flexo ink, we offer services of color management, plate-making and wide range of adhesives.
Besides, with our own printing machines for testing the inks, we offer you also the best possible printing environment know-how.

TOTAL SOLUTION

Ink

• Lamination / surface
• boil / retort application
• color density / color gamut

Adhesive

• dry-lamination / non-solvent
• speed
• boil / retort

Press

• speed
• drying property
• units
• reliability

Anilox

• color density / color gamut
• high / low resolution
• angle / pattern

Engraving

• screening pattern
• highlight / solid appearance
• solvent-wash / water-wash

Plate

• ink transfer
• maintenance
• hardness / thickness