GEW debuts advanced UV curing tools for eco-friendly packaging

UK –  UK-based curing systems manufacturer GEW showcased cutting-edge UV technologies at Labelexpo Europe this week, targeting improvements in packaging production efficiency and material integrity. 

The company displayed its air-cooled AeroLED2 UV LED system, first introduced at Labelexpo Americas in 2024, next to the high-power, water-cooled LeoLED2 model. 

AeroLED2 handles full-cure tasks in printing, coating, and converting up to 70cm wide, providing 70W/cm electrical power, 170mJ/cm² UV dose, and 26W/cm² irradiance. 

Its counterpart, LeoLED2, pushes boundaries with 140W/cm power, 300mJ/cm² dose, and 44W/cm² irradiance. 

Both integrate seamlessly with GEW’s ArcLED setup, allowing swaps between arc lamps and LEDs using the same power supply and housing for quick adaptations on presses.

In a major reveal, GEW launched OxyGuard, a new oxygen control system designed to create stable curing environments. 

According to company details, it employs advanced sensors to purge oxygen from chambers using inert gas, hitting precise levels in parts per million. 

This setup maintains low-oxygen conditions during runs, cutting inert gas use by adjusting flows based on machine speed. 

Retrofittable to nitrogen setups and workable with arc or LED lamps, OxyGuard fits uses like low-odor coatings, silicone release for food packaging, and excimer treatments.

GEW also introduced DoseGuard, an inline monitoring tool driven by ICAD optics mounted under lampheads. 

It scans UV delivery across full widths, alerting operators to drops in output and auto-adjusting lamp power to hold steady doses despite speed changes or aging bulbs. 

Data exports support quality records, while power tweaks trim energy costs and extend component life, ensuring consistent cure depths.

Robert Rae, GEW’s managing director, said the launches build on AeroLED2’s strong adoption in label markets. 

He noted that pairing these controls with existing LED tech delivers unmatched process stability. Rae added that the firm looks forward to demonstrating the setups to attendees.

These developments come amid rising demand for greener packaging tech. In July, GEW opened a new US facility focused on UV LED systems, responding to North American needs for efficient solutions in sectors like flexible packaging. 

The global UV curing sector, valued at US$5.06 billion in 2024, eyes growth to US$10.33 billion by 2031, fueled by low-VOC processes that aid sustainable manufacturing.

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