Siegwerk’s new Cirkit Oxybar White replaces EVOH, PVdC layers with single-pass functional ink

GERMANY – Siegwerk has launched Cirkit Oxybar White, a functional ink that combines oxygen barrier performance and white opacity in a single printable layer, enabling converters to eliminate separate barrier materials such as EVOH, PVdC, aluminum foil and metallized films in flexible packaging applications.

The innovation, announced on 15 June 2026, represents a fundamental shift in packaging design by transforming barrier performance from a dedicated material layer into a functional property of the ink itself. 

Cirkit Oxybar White delivers oxygen transmission rates below 5 cc/m²/day at 50% relative humidity, a bright white opaque finish suitable for high-quality graphics, and one-pass application using standard flexographic or gravure processes. 

The technology builds on Siegwerk’s earlier Cirkit Greasebar White, extending the Barrier Inks concept to oxygen barrier applications. 

How Barrier Inks Eliminate Complexity Without Capital Investment

Conventional packaging structures require separate layers for oxygen protection and white opacity, adding complexity, materials, and processing steps. 

Cirkit Oxybar White eliminates this trade-off by allowing converters to replace two layers with one, simplifying structures without compromising performance. 

With high solid content, the coating achieves significantly faster drying and higher press speeds compared to standard oxygen barrier coatings. 

The pigmented white layer allows immediate visual inspection during printing, supporting in-line quality control and reducing defect risk. 

By integrating barrier functionality directly into the ink, the solution can be implemented seamlessly into existing production lines without additional coating steps or capital investment.

What Mono-Material PP Pouch Validation Means for Packaging Recycling

The concept has been validated through Siegwerk’s collaboration with Enplater Group, where Cirkit Oxybar White was used to develop a fully recyclable mono-material PP pouch.

In this application, the coating replaces conventional oxygen barrier materials such as aluminum foil, metallized films, PVdC and EVOH by simply upgrading the standard backing white layer into a functional barrier. 

Gilles Le Moigne, Head of Circular Economy Coatings at Siegwerk, said that with Cirkit Oxybar White, the company was redefining what an ink could do. 

He explained that by combining oxygen barrier and white ink performance in a single layer, Siegwerk was eliminating complexity and opening new possibilities for circular packaging design.

Why Regulatory Pressure on Packaging Simplification Drives Barrier Ink Adoption

The innovation arrives as the packaging industry faces increasing pressure to simplify structures and improve recyclability. 

Barrier Inks enable replacement of conventional oxygen barrier materials in segments not requiring additional water vapor transmission rate barriers, simplified mono-material structures supporting design-for-recycling, and reduced material usage with improved resource efficiency. 

The solution allows converters to maintain operational continuity using existing equipment while achieving higher press speeds due to optimized formulation.

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