UV Flexographic Ink for Food Packaging
Certified UV flexo ink with low migration for direct and indirect food contact. Suitable for labels, shrink sleeves, thermal paper, and self-adhesive labels. Free of substance 379, GIO-compliant, meets PPWR 2026.
UV flexographic ink for food packaging is a specialized ultraviolet-curing system designed for printing on flexible substrates with the highest safety requirements. Unlike conventional flexo inks, it cures instantly under a UV lamp right in the press, preventing material blocking and allowing immediate transition to subsequent processes — cutting, lamination, or varnishing. The main feature of this series is confirmed low migration of components into the food product. This means the ink does not transfer through the substrate or reach the food even during prolonged contact. The ink complies with EU No 10/2011, the Swiss Ordinance SR 817.023.21, and is GIO-compliant — meaning it does not contain substance 379, which was reclassified as CMR1 and banned for food packaging. The series is suitable for a wide range of substrates and applications: self-adhesive labels made of PP, PE, and PET, shrink sleeves made of PVC and OPS, Top-Coat thermal paper, and pharmaceutical and cosmetic packaging. The ink is freeze-resistant and withstands deep and shock freezing without film cracking. For every batch, we provide a complete documentation package — Declaration of Conformity, PFAS Statement, Migration Test Reports, and confirmation of compliance with the Nestlé standard. This allows our clients to pass major customer audits without delay and enter export markets.
Technical Characteristics
Safety and Compliance
Direct food contact
— confirmed by Migration Test Reports
379-free
— free of substance 379 (SVHC/CMR1 reclassification)
Silicon free
Resistant to hydrogen peroxide
Resistance and Compatibility
Compatible with lamination
Pasteurization and sterilization
— separate pigment range
Thermal transfer and hot foil stamping
Freeze resistance
deep and shock freezing
Applications
Self-Adhesive Labels
PP, PE, PET, paper — for all types of food products
Shrink Sleeves
PVC, OPS, PETG sleeves — beverages, dairy products
Thermal Paper
Top-Coat thermal paper — receipts, logistics labels
Pharmaceutical Packaging
Labels for medicines and medical devices
Cosmetics and Hygiene
Resistant to lotions, shampoos, alcohol
Frozen Products
Deep and shock freezing — without cracking
Compliance
🇪🇺
EU No 10/2011
Migration for food packaging
🇨🇭
SR 817.023.21
Swiss Ordinance
♻️
PPWR 2026
PFAS ≤25 ppb, heavy metals ≤100 mg/kg
🌿
EuPIA
Positive list of substances
🚫
379-free (GIO)
Free of substance 379, SVHC-free
🥛
Nestlé Standard
Compliance with Nestlé requirements
Q&A
What does "379-free" mean and why is it important?
Substance 379 (2-benzyl-2-dimethylamino-4-morpholinobutyrophenone) is a photoinitiator that was reclassified as a CMR1 substance and added to the SVHC list. It is banned for use in food packaging. GIO-compliant (379-free) inks do not contain this substance and fully comply with the new regulatory requirements for food packaging in the EU and Switzerland.
Is this ink suitable for shrink sleeves?
Yes, the ink is suitable for printing on shrink sleeves made of PVC, OPS, and PETG. A preliminary test on the specific material is important, as adhesion results depend on the substrate type and shrinkage conditions. For improved adhesion on demanding substrates, pre-priming or a two-component primer with 4% hardener is recommended. The pot life of the two-component mixture is up to 6 hours.
Is a primer required for all substrates?
No, a primer is not required for most standard substrates. The need for priming arises with adhesion issues on demanding substrates — polyolefins (PP, PE), metallized materials, and certain types of shrink films. In such cases, a two-component primer system with 4% hardener is used. If corona treatment of the substrate does not resolve the adhesion issue, a primer is mandatory.
Does the ink comply with the Nestlé standard?
Yes. The ink complies with Nestlé's requirements for food packaging. We provide a Declaration of Conformity referencing the Nestlé standard along with other documentation. If your customer requires confirmation of compliance with the Nestlé standard, contact our manager — we will prepare the necessary documentation package.
Does the ink comply with PPWR 2026 requirements?
Yes. The ink complies with the PPWR regulation (EU 2025/40) regarding PFAS (≤25 ppb) and heavy metals (≤100 mg/kg), which takes effect on August 12, 2026. In addition, the ink is GIO-compliant (379-free), already meeting the strictest current requirements for food packaging in the EU.