Printing ink and coating supplier Siegwerk has received RecyClass Technology Approval for several products from its SICURA range of acrylic UV/LED-curable inks and varnishes.

This approval is the first by RecyClass for a UV-curable ink technology applied to polyethylene (PE) flexible packaging.

The accreditation means that inks such as SICURA Nutriflex, SICURA Flex Dual Cure, and SICURA Litho Pack are compatible with the recycling processes for coloured PE flexible packaging in Europe, provided that packaging design follows RecyClass guidelines.

The decision was reached following independent laboratory testing of the SICURA Nutriflex NT26 ink, conducted in line with the RecyClass Recyclability Evaluation Protocol for PE films.

The approval also extends based on chemical similarity to other acrylic UV/LED-curable inks and varnishes in Siegwerk’s portfolio used in narrow web, sheetfed, and liquid food packaging contexts.

These are also deemed suitable for recycling within the same stream, under equivalent conditions.

RecyClass’s approval focuses on the ink technology itself and does not amount to certification of any final packaged product’s recyclability.

Siegwerk recycling and polymers business partner Lara Kleines said: “This approval is a huge step forward for packaging sustainability as it effectively opens the door for brand owners to use high-performance UV-curable inks in recyclable PE packaging formats.

“We are more than proud to provide our customers a new level of freedom in designing sustainable packaging without trade-offs.”

Last October, Siegwerk launched a set of mineral oil-free inks for India’s pharmaceutical packaging sector.

These new formulations are produced without mineral oils as intentionally added ingredients, and their implementation is subject to oversight by Siegwerk’s global product safety team.