Chesapeake Bristol switches to ultra low migration ink
Chesapeake Bristol has incorporated an ultra-low migration ink system standards and is understood to be the first self-adhesive label manufacturer in the UK to make the move.
The company is part of Chesapeake’s Branded Packaging division, which manufactures packaging in the food and drink sector. The move follows a set of trials with its supplier Paragon Inks and the new system went live earlier this month.
Chesapeake had already incorporated low migration inks around five years ago but has moved to bring in an ultra-low migration (ULM) standard as a result of increased focus in ink migration throughout Europe.
Andy Walter, Bristol’s managing director, said: As part of this process, we’ve changed our ink stocks, conducted trials and completed profiling tests. We supply labels to some of the UK’s best-known brands and we always strive to offer our customers the latest print finishes and effects. For us, this move to an improved lower migration ink system was an easy decision.”
Chesapeake’s group packaging and safety compliance officer, Elaine Murray, added: “The inks have been independently tested on paper and filmic substrates and only minute trace levels of migrating photoinitiators were found. These have a higher propensity to migrate through primary packaging into some food types.
“A number of products known to be sensitive such as high-fat content foods are typical of the goods which use self-adhesive labels. Testing had been conducted in accordance with the guidelines set out in the BPIF Labels GMP. These have been specifically developed for the printing of labels and related packaging for the food and drinks markets. The adoption of this new ink ULM system provides an extra layer of security for our customers.”
The switch has been made by Chesapeake’s carton production sites in the Branded Packaging division. It has adopted manufacturing guidelines issued by the European Carton Makers Association (ECMA).
According to Chesapeake, the new inks were initially tested at ISEGA by the supplier and were then independently tested by Chesapeake.
