Flint Group has released the Xcura Evo, its newest UV LED process ink, which it says is created out of the advanced resin technology system, delivering increased stability and performance consistency.
The ink is based on the new energy curing platform technology that premiered in May 2017 with UltraCura Sens Low Migration process inks and bases. The inks are designed to work with the new generation of sheetfed presses using LED UV technology.
Flint Group says Exura Evo has flow and rheology properties, with and without duct agitators, low inking and dampening, low waste generation due to transfer properties on all substrates and curing and rub resistance.
[Related: Flint Group releases its sustainability report]
Trevor Amps, global product management director for energy curing inks at Flint Group says, "Evo is short for evolutionary, this signals a step change from our Xcura formulations which, for the past four years, have served our customers well as an industry leader. Xcura Evo is our next generation offer to the UV LED and low energy sheetfed market, and we are pleased to announce its global launch today."
Amps says, "More sheetfed press manufacturers are heading their technology development with LED and low energy curing, and we see growing numbers of retro-fit conversions from lamp providers and OEMs as well. Some of the main drivers encouraging commercial printers to switch to UV LED are improved efficiency, reduced energy costs and the ability to break into new markets. Xcura Evo helps to maximise all of these with its flow characteristics, transfer and high gloss."
Dario Zarantoniello, UV inks and coatings technical manager, Flint Group says, "We are pleased with the number of improvements we have achieved with platform technology. We tested Evo on all the main presses and many formats, straight and perfecting, with and without IPA, highest production speeds and quality standards and we drew critical comparisons against our existing products and all of our main competitors. The customers noted better gloss levels, colour strength and sharper dots. They also commented on better stability, as production speeds increased, offering tangible efficiency benefits."
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