Sun Chemical’s new AquaHeat inks survive 220°C ovens with 60% bio-content for food packaging

GLOBAL – Sun Chemical has introduced AquaHeat, a new line of food-safe, bio-based printing inks for high-temperature applications, tested at up to 220°C and containing 60 percent bio-renewable content, supporting full-colour printing for commercial baking and food-service packaging.

The inks are made with food-safe ingredients, including pigments selected for their ability to withstand high temperatures while maintaining safe migration levels for near-food applications.

The range supports materials that meet relevant EU regulations, addressing a critical need for packaging that endures baking and reheating without compromising safety or print quality.

Built for the Harshest Conditions

AquaHeat is designed for products baked in their final packs, including bread, pastries, and ready meals.

The inks work with standard water-based printing through rotogravure and flexographic methods, requiring no major equipment changes.

They suit paper, board, and film substrates, offering versatility across packaging formats. The range consists of ten base inks providing a broader colour gamut than other products.

Design support tools like GamutViewer software and SunDigiGuide books help estimate achievable colours, limit reworks, and shorten development timelines.

Sustainability Meets Performance

With 60 percent bio-renewable content, AquaHeat significantly reduces fossil-based inputs in food packaging inks.

The system works with recommended non-self-supported liquid functional coatings featuring optional heat-sealing properties, supporting recyclable paper and board packaging for traditional oven applications.

This aligns with industry shifts toward mono-material, recyclable structures that withstand real-world use.

Industry Perspective

Eric Dejean, product manager for water-based products at Sun Chemical Europe, explained that brand owners and food packaging manufacturers have long sought unique packaging that carries processed food through its entire life cycle while maintaining safety and visual appeal.

He noted that Sun Chemical is dedicated to supporting them with value-led solutions that enhance brands, improve efficiency, mitigate risk, and boost sustainability.

The Bottom Line

For food packaging converters and brand owners, AquaHeat fills a persistent gap: inks that survive high-temperature processing without migrating into food or fading visually.

By offering a bio-based, food-safe system tested to 220°C, Sun Chemical enables applications previously dominated by solvent-based or UV-cured chemistries.

Compatibility with standard flexo and gravure equipment lowers adoption barriers, while the 60 percent bio-renewable content supports sustainability targets. For the baking and ready-meal sectors, this means packaging that goes from printer to oven to shelf without compromise.

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