Siegwerk’s UV-curable inks receive RecyClass approval for PE flexible packaging

GERMANY – Printing ink and coatings supplier Siegwerk has secured RecyClass Technology Approval for several products from its SICURA range of acrylic UV/LED-curable inks and varnishes, marking a significant milestone for recyclable flexible packaging.

The approval represents the first RecyClass endorsement of a UV-curable ink technology designed for use on polyethylene (PE) flexible packaging.

According to RecyClass, the accredited inks are compatible with existing recycling processes for coloured PE films in Europe, provided that packaging structures are designed in line with RecyClass design-for-recycling guidelines.

The decision follows independent laboratory testing of Siegwerk’s SICURA Nutriflex NT26 ink, carried out in accordance with the RecyClass Recyclability Evaluation Protocol for PE films.

Based on chemical similarity, the approval has been extended to other acrylic UV/LED-curable inks and varnishes within Siegwerk’s portfolio, including SICURA Nutriflex, SICURA Flex Dual Cure and SICURA Litho Pack, used across narrow web, sheetfed and liquid food packaging applications.

RecyClass clarified that the approval applies specifically to the ink technology and does not constitute certification of the recyclability of a finished packaging product, which remains dependent on the overall packaging design and material composition.

Lara Kleines, Recycling and Polymers Business Partner at Siegwerk, said the approval removes a key barrier for brand owners seeking to combine high-performance printing with recyclable packaging formats.

“This approval is a huge step forward for packaging sustainability as it effectively opens the door for brand owners to use high-performance UV-curable inks in recyclable PE packaging,” she said, adding that it enables greater design freedom without compromising recycling compatibility.

UV-curable inks are valued in flexible packaging for their fast curing, high print quality and resistance properties, but concerns around recyclability have historically limited their use in mono-material PE structures.

The RecyClass approval supports wider adoption of UV technologies as brand owners respond to tightening EU packaging waste regulations and recyclability targets.

The development builds on Siegwerk’s recent sustainability-focused innovations.

In October, the company introduced a new range of mineral oil-free inks for India’s pharmaceutical packaging market, designed to enhance consumer safety and help exporters comply with international regulatory requirements.

In the same month, Siegwerk partnered with Borouge and TPN Food Packaging to launch a fully recyclable mono-material stand-up pouch for dry, oxygen-sensitive products such as nuts and pet food.

The structure uses a PE triplex laminate incorporating Borouge’s Borstar FB5600 high-density polyethylene and a PE sealant film, with TPN responsible for manufacturing the de-inkable packaging.

Together, these developments underline Siegwerk’s strategy of aligning ink innovation with circular economy requirements, as packaging value chains increasingly priorities recyclability, regulatory compliance and material efficiency.

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