Packaging
Versamid PUR 2011 – Standing Up to the Rigors of Retort Process
Friday 15. May 2009 - The new "eat on-the-go" culture of consumers creates a new and steadily growing demand for flexible packaging applications with excellent performance properties as well as environmental soundness. Current retort ink resin technologies have fallen short in the area of performance such as compatibility with standard ink resins, alcohol solubility to allow for flexographic printing, and pigment dispersion capability.
Versamid PUR 2011, a stand alone ink binder is the latest addition to the Versamid PUR range of resins from global specialty chemicals supplier Cognis, that overcomes these disadvantages experienced with current retort technologies and is compatible with a variety of co-resins to help further optimize performance properties.
The new Versamid PUR 2011 is a TDI- and tin-free, non-migratory polyurethane resin based on new aliphatic urethane technology. It is an excellent stand alone ink binder for use in retort and sterilization packaging inks exhibiting very good pigment dispersion properties, excellent heat resistance, hydrolysis stability and bond strength. In addition, Versamid PUR 2011 exhibits a wide range of solubility in alcohols and acetates which makes it suitable for both flexographic and gravure printing processes.
Due to environmental pressure to reduce waste, cost implications of transportation and the consumers hectic lifestyles, the demand for flexible pouches and plastic containers has seen steady growth over the past few years as replacement of glass and tin packaging. According to Bob LieBerman, Product Group Manager, Dimers & Resins, “The point-of-sale attractiveness, ease of handling of flexible packaging and the convenience of ready-to-eat meals have made it possible for the consumers to eat on-the-go. The market for retort pouches continues to hold immense potential and opportunities for growth, not only in the U.S., but also in Asia Pacific and Europe where we plan to make the product available. Needs for constant improvement in performance as well as an increasing awareness for health aspects drive the change towards new polymers that are free of both heavy metal catalysts and aromatic isocyanate building blocks, have compatibility / adhesion to a variety of substrates and versatility regarding the printing process.”
For years, Cognis has been developing specialty resins to suit the needs of different applications. The resins of the Versamid PUR 1000 range are considered universal resins that can be used in a wide variety of applications, thus simplifying the production processes of Cognis customers, and boosting their productivity. Products in the Versamid PUR 1100 range have improved compatibility and can be combined with different co-resins to produce different performance characteristics. Versamid PUR 2011 is the first member of the newest Versamid PUR 2000 family of resins specifically designed for the highest performance segment.