The Results Are In Electron Beam Is Best Option

The Results are in—Electron Beam is Best Option

No matter the company or type of business, the goals are the same: provide the absolute best product and/or service to the customer at the lowest possible cost and when they need it.

In the business of curing inks, coatings, and adhesives, those same principles apply. There are, however, dramatically different ways in which one can cure products, especially in flexible packaging, cross linking, and sterilization. So the question constantly being asked by the entire supply chain is what is the optimal method for curing inks, coatings, and adhesives that produces the maximum benefit to all?

When compared to other drying technologies, electron beam (EB) offers the most benefits to all involved in the supply chain. Electron beam results in a lower total cost than UV or thermal drying. With EB, there are lower operating costs, less material waste, and fewer steps required in the drying process.

With regard to print quality, electron beam produces smaller dots and less dot gain. From a safety perspective, EB has no odor or extractables, no VOC’s, no photoinitiators, and the EB inks and coatings are not flammable, toxic, or hazardous.

New innovations in eBeam inks like Gelflex-EB, have further separated electron beam technology from other methods, as the drying technology of choice for environmental sustainability. The Environmental Protection Agency ran a case study on various inks used in flexographic printing. The study found that solvent inks "usually contain significant amounts of VOCs, which have notable health and safety concerns."

Companies looking for the best total solution to cure inks, coatings, and adhesives, are moving into electron beam technology.

Source: http://www.epa.gov/