Hubergroup debuts LED-curing ink for food cans, meeting German, Swiss safety standards

GERMANY/SWITZERLAND – Hubergroup Print Solutions will launch NewV tin LED MGA, a new LED-curing ink series for three-piece can applications at METPACK 2026, designed to comply with the German Ink Ordinance, the Swiss Ordinance, and brand manufacturer guidelines for food packaging safety.

The launch responds to the growing shift toward LED-UV curing in food-related work, where traditional mercury-vapour UV systems are increasingly being replaced due to energy efficiency and regulatory considerations.

Jan Museler, hubergroup’s metal decoration product manager, explained that with NewV tin LED MGA, the company is giving metal decorators a reliable, future-proof LED solution that meets the stringent safety requirements of food packaging while delivering excellent printing performance.

He noted that it is an important step in supporting the industry’s transition to LED-UV technologies.

Why LED for Food Cans?

LED-UV curing offers several advantages over conventional mercury-vapour systems. LED lamps consume significantly less energy, last longer, and emit no ozone.

They also generate less heat, which is critical for printing on heat-sensitive substrates.

For food packaging, the key advantage is the absence of photoinitiators that could migrate into food, a requirement explicitly addressed by compliance with the German Ink Ordinance (GIO) and Swiss Ordinance, two of the strictest regulatory frameworks for food-contact printing.

What Else Hubergroup Is Showing

Alongside the LED launch, the company will present the conventional offset series TINKREDIBLE MGA, which was launched globally in recent months.

It will also highlight the wider NewV range covering both LED and mercury-vapour UV curing systems.

The wider metal decoration portfolio is positioned for applications including aerosols, closures, crown caps, chemical technical packaging, and food cans, with inks developed to deliver strong colour, scratch resistance, and an environmentally conscious formulation.

The business will also present complementary products, including varnishes and fountain solution additives, intended to work as a combined system with its inks.

Patrick Hübel, hubergroup’s product management and technical marketing offset director, said that METPACK is the ideal platform to demonstrate how fully integrated pressroom solutions support metal decorators in meeting evolving market demands.

He noted that by combining high-performance products with strong technical service, the company enables customers to achieve consistent quality, greater efficiency, and a smoother transition to future-ready technologies.

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