Flint Group ZenCode CG and ZenCode CS Inks and Coatings Secure Material Health Gold from Cradle to Cradle Products Innovation Institute
- Published: August 26, 2021
Flint Group Packaging Inks, a leading supplier of ink and coatings to the global packaging industry, has announced its ZenCode CG and ZenCode CS ink series have been assessed against the requirements of the Material Health category of the Cradle to Cradle Certifiedä Product Standard, achieving a Gold level and Silver level respectively. The company’s ZenCode portfolio is part of its recently announced ONECode solvent-based inks and coatings range.
ZenCode solvent-based inks are reportedly designed with the environment in mind and to promote the developing circular economy in flexible packaging. Specific colored inks, whites and a range of 1-component and 2-component overprint varnishes are available for both flexographic and rotogravure printing – including expanded color gamut printing – and incorporate a certified range of chemistries.
ZenCode can be used for printing on the non-food contact side of food packaging materials and is suitable for surface, reverse, and lamination printing. These inks are designed for a wide range of flexible packaging requirements including high-end lamination, retort, shrink sleeves, collation shrink and reverse printing.
The Cradle to Cradle Products Innovation Institute is a non-profit organization created to bring about a large-scale transformation in the way items are manufactured. Its mission is to provide a continuous improvement quality standard to guide product manufacturers and designers in making safe and healthy products, of all types, for the world.
The Cradle to Cradle Certified Material Health Assessment methodology is a contextual assessment based on chemical hazard identification and qualitative exposure considerations during a product’s final manufacture, use and end-of-life.
The assessment concluded that all materials used in the ZenCode range were either optimal or acceptable for use as defined by the Cradle to Cradle Innovation Institute and do not contain any highly problematic materials. The product’s assessed materials are therefore confirmed to not contain chemicals on the Banned Lists of Chemicals above permitted thresholds nor contain carcinogens, mutagens, or reproductive toxicants. The range also meets volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions testing requirements, as described in the Standard.
Not only are ZenCode products Cradle to Cradle Material Health certified, but these inks have also been approved for composting by OK Compost in Europe and have been certified for the CADEL DEINKING process in Europe.
For more information, visit https://www.flintgrp.com.
