Inks and coatings manufacturer hubergroup has launched a nitrocellulose (NC) calculation service designed to help printers assess the NC content in packaging materials.
The initiative is in response to tightening recycling regulations in the packaging industry, particularly within the European Union. Each of hubergroup’s service technicians is now equipped with an NC calculator, enabling fast and accurate assessments of NC content in printed packaging and ensuring compliance with regulatory thresholds.
This development is relevant given the European Union’s Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR), which requires all packaging to be recyclable by 2030. Other frameworks, such as RecyClass, Ceflex, and the German Mindeststandard, have introduced strict limits on the amount of NC allowed in flexible packaging, typically between 0.8% and 1.3% by weight.
Hubergroup said its NC calculator provides a more efficient alternative to traditional methods of measuring NC content, which are often time-consuming or based on estimations. By considering both the specific packaging design and ink formulations, the tool delivers results within minutes, hubergroup explained. This allows printers and designers to adjust their processes and materials early in the development cycle, reducing the risk of non-compliance and facilitating the creation of more recyclable packaging.
The company said the new service simplifies compliance by offering reliable data that informs product development decisions.
The NC calculator is designed to work in tandem with hubergroup’s solvent-based Gecko ink portfolio, a system tailored for flexible packaging applications. The Gecko range supports various approaches to more sustainable packaging. These include NC-based printing kept within regulatory limits by using NC-free white inks, as well as systems designed for deinking or using alternative PU-based solutions that are free from chlorine and NC.
Enno Lingemann, technical product manager Gecko at hubergroup Deutschland, stated: “With Gecko’s flexible structure and our dedicated support, we empower our customers to confidently meet regulatory challenges while achieving outstanding print quality, speed, and design versatility.”
