Ricoh’s new ink is biodegradable and saves energy and money

Ricoh has released the first plant-based ink for graphics and packaging print. 

It is derived from oil-based ink used in décor printing as part of Ricoh’s collaboration with German equipment manufacturer, Olbrich. 

“It is easier to clean the print heads,” says Vaughan Patterson, Head of Commercial and Industrial Print at Ricoh South Africa. “They are less likely to clog because they are open for longer, which improves reliability, performance, and the print head lifespan. And they use 50% less ink to achieve the same optical density.”

The ink has excellent rub resistance and set-off performance for corrugated brown and white boards, as well as carton board.

The plant oil component creates a sustainable and environmentally friendly ink that:

• Dries quickly without heat or fixative;
• Eliminates the drying system and reduces energy consumption because the oil penetrates porous substrates, leaving the pigment near the surface;
• Uses no monomers, which means it is odour-free with improved food compatibility;
• Supports deinking, is biodegradable; and
• Requires no biocides to maintain the ink because it is not water based.

“Brand owners and printer manufacturers are increasingly focused on reducing their environmental impact and applying sustainable practices wherever possible,” says Graham Kennedy, Director of Industrial Printing for Graphic Communications at Ricoh Europe. “With our new plant-based ink they can seamlessly introduce positive changes that make a big difference without impacting their high quality, printed results.”

The ink is now available across EMEA.

For more information visit www.ricoh-europe.com.