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KIKI’S CHEMICALS
Solvent-Based Flexographic & Gravure Packaging Ink Compounding
Chemical application profile

Solvent-Based Flexographic & Gravure Packaging Ink Compounding

High-speed rotogravure and flexographic printing ink compounding on BOPP, PE, and aluminum foil utilizing Nitrocellulose Chips RS 1/4 Sec.

Target SectorsPrinting, Inks & Packaging Chemical Raw Materials Kenya · Industrial Chemicals for Manufacturing Plants in Kenya
Packaging25kg Bags · 200L Drums · IBC Tankers · Bulk Delivery
DocumentationBatch COA, TDS & SDS Available on Request
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TARGET SECTORS:
Printing, Inks & Packaging Chemical Raw Materials KenyaIndustrial Chemicals for Manufacturing Plants in Kenya

Quick Answer — Solvent-Based Flexographic & Gravure Packaging Ink Compounding

Nitrocellulose Chips RS 1/4 Sec serve as the primary binder in solvent-based rotogravure and flexographic packaging inks, enabling high pigment loading at low running viscosity, rapid solvent release to prevent roll blocking at 250 m/min, and thermal resistance up to 200°C for pouch heat-sealing.

Packaging ink compounding is the industrial blending of pigments, resins, and solvents to manufacture fast-drying inks for flexible packaging films.

Key Facts

  • •RS 1/4 sec grade enables high pigment loadings at low running viscosity.
  • •Instantaneous solvent release prevents blocking in high-speed rewind rolls.
  • •Resists pouch heat-sealing temperatures up to 200°C without smearing.
  • •Supplied as UN 2557 plasticized chips in 25 kg fiber drums by KIKI'S.

Primary Use Cases

Reverse-printed BOPP and PET flexible food packaging lamination inksSurface-printed polyethylene shopping bag flexographic inksPharmaceutical aluminum blister foil rotogravure packaging print

Technical Process

In packaging ink manufacturing, nitrocellulose chemistry enables high line speed conversion:

Varnish Preparation and Pigment Bead Milling

Plasticized Nitrocellulose Chips RS 1/4 Sec (18% to 22%) are dissolved in an active solvent blend (Ethyl Acetate and Ethanol/IPA) inside explosion-proof high-speed dispersers to create a clear master ink varnish. High-performance organic pigments (Phthalo Blue, Lithol Rubine, Carbon Black, Diarylide Yellow) are charged alongside polymeric dispersants and passed through horizontal bead mills, grinding pigments to sub-micron fineness (<2 microns) with high gloss and color strength.

Co-Binder Blending for Film Adhesion and Lamination

Pure nitrocellulose requires plasticising and co-resins to adhere tenaciously to non-polar polyolefin films:

  • Surface Printing Inks: Blended with Polyamide resins to provide flexible adhesion and scuff resistance on corona-treated LDPE shopping bags.
  • Lamination Inks: Blended with flexible Polyurethane (PU) resins for reverse-printed multi-layer barrier pouches (BOPP/PET/PE), achieving lamination bond peel strengths exceeding 3.0 N/15mm.

Doctor Blade Cleanliness and Heat-Seal Durability

Low molecular weight NC RS 1/4 sec provides Newtonian rheology that lubricates doctor blades, minimizing chrome wear on gravure cylinders. When printed film passes through automated form-fill-seal packaging machines, nitrocellulose's high thermal resistance (>180°C) prevents ink from smearing or transferring onto hot heat-sealing crimper jaws.

KIKI'S Industrial Chemicals supplies plasticized NC Chips RS 1/4 Sec alongside Ethyl Acetate, n-Butanol, and Retarder thinners for leading ink houses in East Africa.

Standard Application Process

  1. 1

    Nitrocellulose Varnish Dissolution

    Dissolve NC Chips RS 1/4 Sec in Ethyl Acetate and Ethanol in explosion-proof mixer to form clear ink varnish.

  2. 2

    Horizontal Bead Mill Grinding

    Mill organic pigments in NC varnish through bead mill to achieve sub-micron particle grind (<2 microns).

  3. 3

    Co-Resin & Additive Letdown

    Blend in polyurethane or polyamide co-binders, polyethylene wax slip aids, and adhesion promoters.

  4. 4

    High-Speed Press Printing

    Print on corona-treated BOPP/PE web at 250 m/min; ink releases solvent instantaneously, preventing reel blocking.

Recommended Chemicals for Solvent-Based Flexographic & Gravure Packaging Ink Compounding

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Paint & Coating Chemicals
25kg fiber drum of Nitrocellulose Chips plasticized with ATBC supplied by KIKI'S Industrial Chemicals Nairobi Kenya

Nitrocellulose Chips (RS 1/4 Sec & RS 1/2 Sec Plasticized Resins)

Industrial Plasticized Nitrocellulose Chips in RS 1/4 sec and RS 1/2 sec viscosity grades (CAS 9004-70-0, UN 2557)…

Used for: Premium Wood Furniture Lacquer & Sanding Sealer Compounding · Solvent-Based Flexographic & Gravure Packaging Ink Compounding · Automotive Spot Refinish Enamel & Fast-Dry Primer
40kg Fibre Drum with Conductive Polyethylene Inner Bag100kg Metal Cylinder / Drum (Origin: China)120kg Heavy-Duty Metal Cylinder Drum (Origin: China)

CAS 9004-70-0 · Industrial Coating & Printing Ink Grade · Flakes

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Key Performance Advantages

  • ✓
    Instantaneous Solvent Release

    Flashes off completely in dryer tunnels, eliminating reel blocking on high-speed web rewind spools.

  • ✓
    High Pigment Loading at Low Viscosity

    RS 1/4 sec grade enables concentrated color development while maintaining 14-16s press viscosity.

  • ✓
    200°C Heat-Seal Jaw Resistance

    High thermal stability prevents ink smearing on heated packaging pouch sealing jaws.

Key Industrial Use Cases

Reverse-printed BOPP and PET multi-layer snack and biscuit lamination inksSurface-printed polyethylene shopping bag and bread wrapper flexographic inksPharmaceutical blister pack aluminum foil gravure printing inksConfectionery twist-wrap and metallized film packaging printing

COMMERCIAL & TECHNICAL GUIDANCE

FAQs — Solvent-Based Flexographic & Gravure Packaging Ink Compounding

Technical and process guidance for solvent-based flexographic & gravure packaging ink compounding in Kenya and East Africa.

RS 1/4 second has lower molecular weight, producing lower solution viscosity that allows ink makers to incorporate more pigment while maintaining low running viscosity (14-16s Ford #4).