One of the most interesting aspects in the world of inkjet inks is the debate over whether water-, solvent- or UV-based inkjet inks is preferable. Speaking with inkjet ink industry leaders, it would appear that solvent-based inks have taken a step back, with major players splitting between being predominantly water-based or UV-based.

The water-based ink side has major players such as HP, DuPont, Memjet and Sensient among them. Roland DGA headlines the UV-based ink market. Meanwhile, Sun Chemical, Siegwerk, EFI, Wikoff work in both markets.

Matthieu Carni, director Business Unit Inkjet at Siegwerk, said that Siegwerk believes that UV curable as well as water-based inks will be the most successful technologies to address the demands in digital printing for packaging and label applications.

“While UV inkjet is a perfect fit for rather thick substrates for label and direct-to-object printing, water-based inkjet inks, in particular, are well suited for thin or porous substrates in applications with high demands on product safety and regulations being the most promising technology introduced for single pass large width printing on flexible packaging, tissue and corrugated applications,” Carni added.

Phil Jackman, global product manager, Digital, Sun Chemical, noted that he has yet to see any major intra-market shifts from one ink type to another.

“For instance, the graphics and labels markets are both still very much dominated by UV curing technology,” Jackman said. “We have certainly seen a shift in our R&D though. At Sun Chemical, we now invest more inkjet R&D resources in aqueous than other chemistries. This R&D is focused on new and emerging markets such as packaging and pigmented textiles, but may backfill into existing inkjet markets in due course.”

“We are not seeing any major shifts among UV-cure, water-based and solvent-based ink chemistries,” Warren Catchpole, market manager – Wikoff Digital, said. “The top concern we see from end-users is finding inks, primers and coatings that will adhere to desired substrates at required print speeds. In the absence of specific prohibitions end-users are willing to use whatever inks will best satisfy the application requirements.”

David Lopez, associate product manager, Professional Imaging, Epson America, noted that Epson is in both water- and solvent-based ink chemistries.

“Digital printing as a whole has shown growth over the past 10 years,” Lopez noted. “Now that different ink technologies have been in the market for some time, it’s given the market time to understand what works best for different applications. As the market becomes more mature, we have seen an increase in the quality expectations of customers and end-users. These higher output standards have driven growth in our high-quality output aqueous and solvent printers.”

Jay Roberts, Roland DGA product manager, UV printers, said that Roland DGA has been seeing a trend toward UV printing for years.

“The funny thing is, as UV has grown, so has the market for our traditional eco-solvent printers and inks,” said Roberts. “We believe that this simultaneous growth is due to our customers seeing the benefits of incorporating both technologies within their respective business models. The old saying, ‘there isn’t one printer that can do everything’ holds true. Our customers see the value – both in production and costs – to running both types of printers.”

Water-Based Inkjet Inks

Water-based inkjet inks have their own advantages, beginning with the belief that water-based products are safer to use.

Niv Ishay, marketing manager, HP PageWide Industrial Corrugated, said that clients report being drawn to the HP PageWide True Water-Based Inks because it offers them and their customers’ peace of mind when using digitally printed packaging for products in which contamination or even the perception of it would raise huge liability concerns.

“Water-based inkjet inks are a technology differentiator in corrugated packaging, enabling us to confidently address a broader range of applications from food and beverage to personal care products,” Ishay added.

“As a manufacturer predominantly of water-based ink solutions, we have definitely seen a growing demand for alternatives to both UV-cured and solvent-based inks,” Simon Daplyn, marketing manager, Sensient Imaging Technologies, observed. “There has also been a considerable increase in new projects that have water-based inks as a prerequisite. It’s apparent that the greener, safer credentials of water-based inkjet solutions are contributing to significant growth in popularity. Solvent-based inks and UV-cured inks will always have a place in the wider printing industry, but the shift to water-based technologies is apparent.”

Bernd Daiber, global business leader commercial inks for DuPont, noted that there is a request in all different printing applications to supply water-based inkjet inks.

“Today, UV inks are clearly leading in regards to volume in T&L, corrugated board and also folding carton, delivering excellent results in respect of print quality, mechanical robustness and productivity,” Daiber reported. “However, due to food compliance requirements, odor, recyclability and sustainability, water-based technology is demanded more and more by CPG’s and end-users.”

“Water-based inks for ceramic is the future technology in tile inkjet decoration for both glazing and printing,” Jose Miguel Serrano, EFI’s senior business development manager, said. “It is a source of clear benefits for the environment, but water-based ceramic ink also delvers technical improvements, including the elimination of hydro-repellency issues, better definition, and cost savings costs in some applications.”

“Memjet intends to lead the shift from solvent, UV, and mineral oil-based ink solutions to water-based digital inks,” Marc Johnson, director of global product marketing for Memjet, said. “There are many good reasons to do this, including worker health and safety, regulatory challenges, assurance of supply concerns, and environmental impact.”