The environmental objectives discussed in this archived article had an effect across the printing supply chain. Printers examined alternatives to solvent-based systems that release volatile organic compounds (VOCs), in response to efforts by the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to reduce those emissions.
For ink formulators, water-based systems offered one route towards lower VOC emissions. These inks improved over time and became important in several markets, particularly flexographic printing.
The article considered the potential for further growth, linked to environmental policy and printers’ decisions when replacing solvent-capture, treatment and incineration equipment. Manufacturers were also improving water-based ink properties to serve additional market segments.
A historical view of the packaging market
Citing NAPIM’s 1999 industry report, the original article states that water-based flexo inks represented 37% of the packaging market. This is a historical figure, rather than a current market estimate.
Chris Peterson, then identified as a packaging-ink product-development manager at Flint Ink North America, described flexography as the strongest market for water-based inks. Applications included corrugated and folding cartons, paper products, multiwall sacks, and short- to medium-run film work, with further development in longer runs. He linked advances in flexography with improvements in water-based ink.
Gerald McLean, identified in the source as a packaging-ink marketing manager at Sun Chemical, described some segments as almost entirely water-based, including narrow-web labels. Other applications mentioned were folding cartons, plastic grocery and carrier bags, multiwall sacks, corrugated cartons and envelope printing.
A Sun Chemical market-technology representative also described strong adoption in established applications: paper products and bags, corrugated products, preprinted liner, multiwall sacks and polyethylene products, including grocery and milk packaging. The article presents these as markets where water-based inks had gained an important position.