Sun Chemical Launches AquaHeat Bio-Based Inks for High-Temperature Food Packaging

Sun Chemical has launched AquaHeat, a new line of food-safe, bio-based printing inks designed specifically for high-temperature food packaging applications. These inks are suitable for full-colour printing in commercial baking and food-service packaging, including products that are baked in their final packaging.

The AquaHeat inks are formulated with food-safe ingredients and have been rigorously tested to withstand temperatures up to 220°C, making them ideal for packaging items such as bread, pastries, and ready meals. The components of the inks, including the pigments, have been carefully selected to ensure they maintain safe migration levels for near-food applications, complying with relevant EU regulations.

Compatible with standard water-based printing methods like rotogravure and flexographic, AquaHeat can be integrated into existing production configurations. The ink range is suitable for various substrates, including paper, board, and film, and consists of ten base inks that offer a broader colour gamut than currently available alternatives.

To assist brands and manufacturers in achieving their desired packaging aesthetics, Sun Chemical provides design support tools such as The GamutViewer software and SunDigiGuide books, which help estimate and visualize achievable colours, thereby reducing reworks and accelerating product development timelines.

Notably, the AquaHeat range contains up to 60% bio-renewable content, aligning with sustainability goals in the food packaging sector. Additionally, the inks can be used in conjunction with recommended non-self-supported liquid functional coatings that include optional heat-sealing features, promoting recyclable packaging solutions for traditional oven applications.

Eric Dejean, product manager for water-based products at Sun Chemical Europe, emphasized the company’s commitment to supporting brand owners and food packaging manufacturers in creating unique, safe, and visually appealing packaging that meets the demands of the entire product life cycle. This launch follows Sun Chemical’s earlier introduction of nitrocellulose-free inks for the flexible packaging sector, further demonstrating its dedication to innovation and sustainability in food packaging.