Inks

Eastman produces essential raw materials that enable formulators in the inks, graphic arts, and imaging markets to improve performance, enhance appearance, and increase productivity.

CAP and CAB have been used as versatile ink formulating tools for printing packaging films, heat transfer printing inks, and screen inks for many years. They have been used as additives, modifiers, and even main film formers. Eastman CAP and CAB are used to improve resistance to heat, grease, and UV degradation.

Products formulated with Eastman cellulose esters release solvent rapidly, enabling faster print speeds and improved blocking performance. Low-viscosity grades of cellulose esters are used in radiation-curable inks to improve wetting and adhesion and decrease surface defects for enhanced film formation and appearance. Cellulose esters provide these benefits to inks including gravure, flexographic, screen and digital inks, as well as in overprint varnishes, in both solvent borne and radiation curable formulations.

Eastman offers a portfolio of food contact grades of cellulose esters for ink applications that require food contact compliance. These products meet requirements for use in certain food contact applications under regulations of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (21 CFR), European Commission (Regulation 10/2011), and the Swiss Ordinance on Materials and Articles in Contact with Food (SR 817.023.21). They are manufactured, stored, handled, and transported by Eastman under conditions adhering to current Good Manufacturing Practices (cGMP) for food contact applications. Contact your Eastman representative or authorized Eastman distributor for specific regulatory compliance documentation.

Recommended cellulose esters for various printing technologies

  Digital Flexographic Gravure Screen Overprint varnish
  Cellulose acetate
     CA 398-3    x x x
     CA 398-3, Food Contacta   x x x
  Cellulose acetate butyrate
     CAB 381-0.1    x x x
     CAB 381-0.1, Food Contacta   x x x
     CAB 381-0.5    x x x
     CAB 381-0.5, Food Contacta   x x x
     CAB 381-2    x  
     CAB 381-2, Food Contacta   x  
     CAB 381-20    x 
     CAB 381-20, Food Contacta    x 
     CAB 500-5    x x 
     CAB 551-0.01 x x x x 
     CAB 551-0.01, Food Contacta x x x x 
     CAB 551-0.2 x  x  
     CAB 551-0.2, Food Contacta x  x  
     CAB 553-0.4   x x x 
     CAB 553-0.4, Food Contacta  x x x 
     Solus  2100 x x x x x
     Solus  2100, Food Contacta x x x x x
     Solus  2300 x x x x x
  Cellulose acetate propionate 
     CAP 482-0.5 x  x x x
     CAP 482-0.5, Food Contacta x  x x x
     CAP 482-20     x 
     CAP 482-20, Food Contacta    x 
     CAP 504-0.2   x x  x
     CAP 504-0.2, Food Contacta  x x  x

a Switzerland Ordinance of the FDHA on materials and articles intended to come into contact with foodstuffs (817.023.21, Annex 10).

Need help in selecting the right cellulose ester for your application?