Manufacturers and converters today require inks that do far more than produce attractive print. Inks used must help packaging pass through recycling systems, comply with global regulations, and perform reliably on next-generation materials. As the regulatory landscape evolves, one thing is clear: the future of ink is tightly linked to eco-friendly packaging innovation.
Natasha Jeremic, Head of Piezo Inks, Domino Printing Sciences, explores the latest advancements in ink technology and how these are giving converters and brands greater flexibility, efficiency, and regulatory confidence:
- Sustainable, next-generation chemistries developed for new substrates
Ink innovation is evolving to meet new sustainability demands, with formulations shifting toward renewable colourants, bio-based ingredients, and plant-oil-based formulations. These chemistries are specifically engineered to perform well on the growing volume of fibre-based, bio-based, and recyclable substrates and mono-materials entering the market, helping converters protect print quality as customers transition to more sustainable packaging. - Low-VOC, water-based, and renewable-solvent ink systems
The latest ink platforms are dramatically reducing emissions by replacing traditional solvents with low-VOC, MEK-free systems and water-based inks for corrugated and monochrome printing. Eco-solvents, such as limonene and ethyl lactate, help improve operator safety and reduce odour, allowing converters to meet stricter air-quality standards without changing standard production workflows. Bio-based ethanol, butanol, pinene, methyl and ethyl soyate have also been noted for having excellent biodegradability. - PFAS-free and pollutant-reduced formulations
While Domino’s ink formulations have been PFAS-free for a long time, many ink manufacturers are now removing PFAS from new ink ranges to meet 2026 legislation deadlines. There is also a move to eliminate persistent organic
pollutants (POPs). This innovation reduces compliance risk by meeting current and future regulations, pre-empting the need for future ink reformulation, and assures converters of long-term regulatory compatibility with tightening regulatory frameworks such as PPWR and EPR. - Design for recyclability and high-performance de-inking
Several new ink technologies directly improve substrate recycling outcomes, including primers that enable UV-cured inks to be removed more easily and plant-oil-based inks that perform well in enzyme-based de-inking processes. These developments reduce the likelihood of downgraded recyclate, helping converters to deliver products that meet stricter recycling performance expectations. - Optimisation for energy-efficient curing and drying
Fast-drying aqueous ink systems, such as Domino’s AQ95 inkset for corrugated printing, are formulated to dry efficiently. This reduces the number of drying modules required, cutting the press footprint, and reducing carbon emissions by lowering energy consumption. For converters, this means faster throughput, lower overheads, and improved sustainability scores. Ink systems optimised for UV LED curing represent another technology upgrade. This shift allows converters to reduce energy consumption, remove mercury-based curing lamps, and achieve safer, more stable curing.
Future-proofing printed packaging
Converters can help brands seeking to future-proof their packaging against evolving, sustainability-driven regulatory demands by working with a trusted equipment partner that invests heavily in in-house ink development and manufacture. Access to novel ink formulations optimised for their press can help converters improve compatibility with emerging substrates, enhance de-inking and recycling outcomes for brand owners, and reduce compliance risk.
Disclaimers
About Domino
Digital Printing Solutions is a division within Domino Printing Sciences. The company, founded in 1978, has established a global reputation for the development and manufacture of digital inkjet printing technologies, as well as its worldwide aftermarket products and customer services. Its services for the commercial print sector include digital inkjet printers and control systems designed to deliver solutions for a complete range of labelling, corrugated, and variable printing applications.
All of Domino’s printers are designed to meet the high-speed, high-quality demands of commercial printing environments, bringing new capabilities to numerous sectors, including labelling, corrugated, publications and security printing, transactional, packaging converting, plastic cards, tickets, game cards and forms, as well as the direct mail and postal sectors.
Domino employs over 3,000 people worldwide and sells to more than 120 countries through a global network of 29 subsidiary offices and more than 200 distributors. Domino’s manufacturing facilities are located in China, Germany, India, Sweden, Switzerland, UK, and the USA.
Domino became an autonomous division within Brother Industries Ltd. on 11th June 2015.
For further information on Domino, please visit www.domino-printing.com
For more information, please contact:
Kathrin Farr
Content Executive and Copywriter
Domino Printing Sciences
Tel: +44 (0) 1954 782551
Kathrin.Farr@domino-uk.com
Jade Taylor-Salazar
PR and Content Manager
Domino Printing Sciences
Tel: +44 (0) 1954 778780
Jade.Taylor-Salazar@domino-uk.com
