Water-based paints - why are they so crucial in packaging?

Add-ons matter

It is often the case that a given product meets only half of the environmental requirements or only meets them apparently. ‘Paper’ cups that petrol station customers receive when purchasing coffee from an espresso machine are a case in point here. Theoretically, they're recyclable, aren't they? Well, not really.

Not to mention that such items are hardly segregated and they usually end up in the nearest mixed waste bin. They cannot be classified as paper waste, anyway. These cups are covered with laminate that has nothing to do with ‘natural’ and is unsuitable for processing. Moreover, such laminate cannot be detached from the paper layer, so it is impossible to simply treat it as plastic or mixed waste. In this case, the production method effectively ruled out the possibility of its reuse.

A similar approach can also be applied elsewhere. What's the point in packaging itself being biodegradable since the production uses harmful paints that, to some extent, pose a threat to the ecosystem?

Dr. Agnieszka Sznyk from the Institute for Innovation and Responsible Development INNOWO refers to this issue:

The selection of material, format and additional elements of packaging e.g. labels, ways of closing or even paints decide about the possibility of it being recovered later. Material uniformity, durable combination of elements made of the same material or intuitive separation of elements made of different materials facilitate the subsequent use. The hierarchy of waste management puts the material recycling above other forms of recovery, such as composting or energy recovery.¹

Eco-friendly imprint

Of course, chemical additives are substances necessary to obtain many materials from synthetic material, and in most cases it is difficult to imagine a product being launched on the market without them. However, more astute solutions can be found. A great example here are water-based paints that are safe for people and the environment.

They are based on the most neutral liquid substance known to us. They do not emit volatile organic compounds (VOCs) at any stage of the production process and do not contain chemical components, either. The print is transferred directly to the surface of the material, and drying takes place at room temperature. It is an easy and cheap method, as opposed to solvent-based paints.

Prethink Ink - SILBO's campaign for BASF

Water-based paints are the solution selected by SILBO. New markings - a logo with a water droplet, appeared on all packaging with imprint that has been produced. It was a response to the changing needs of the market, where technologies that benefit nature and do not disturb the ecological balance are becoming increasingly important.

The idea of ​​using water-based paints by SILBO has already been appreciated in the industry, which resulted in an award at the prestigious Fruit Logistica fair in Berlin. Moreover, the company has established business relationships as a content partner with BASF as part of the global ​​campaign PRETHINK INK, promoting the idea of responsible production of such colouring materials.

As Marcin Śpiewok, president & CEO of SILBO, explains:More discussion on water-based flexographic printing may have a positive impact on the market. We have to break the stereotypes regarding water-based paints (...). PRETHINK INK can be a great accelerator to show customers that this type of printing is not just a dream or part of our corporate strategy to set us apart - it is a truly major achievement on a global scale.

Does this approach pay off? Yes, and what's more, all users of this process benefit: the company, consumers and the environment. The use of water-based paints is:

• lower carbon footprint (compared to traditional chemical paints),
• negligible release of volatile organic compounds (VOCs),
• excellent print quality,
• performance comparable to ‘ordinary’ dyeing technologies,
• lack of material restrictions (can be printed on foil, plastics, paper, compostable materials, and so on),
• fully customisable in terms of material properties and behaviour in the packaging machine.

Marcin Śpiewok is of the opinion that there is virtually no difference between traditional and water-based paints, apart from one thing - the latter are harmless to the environment: When we plan a new project, water-based inks are always part of it - there is never a reason why we couldn't use them. We are totally committed to this technique.

There are many indications that the above-mentioned solution will not only be adopted, but over time will become a new production standard in the field of packaging.

Of course, the biggest challenge is to convince business representatives to do so. Some of them are skeptical but any change, even the one heading in the right direction, can be linked with distrust.

However, if the modification of current habits is followed by effects in the form of a lower impact on the environment, then it is probably worth trying. Especially since there will be more such changes, all aiming at a circular economy:The change does not end with water-based paints. Water-based lamination and compostable packaging are two other trends that we support using our products. It is about closing the loop, reducing waste and protecting the environment - says Śpiewok.

¹ Sznyk A., (2020), Gospodarka obiegu zamkniętego, w "Środowiskowe aspekty projektowania opakowań", Warszawa, s. 17, https://kig.pl/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/EKO_PROJEKTOWANIE.pdf.