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Products and Applications

Packaging &
Publication Inks

Packaging and Publication inks
Flexographic Inks
Gravure Inks
Offset Inks
Publication & News inks
UV Flexo, UV-Gravure & UV-Offset

Products

Packaging and Publication inks
Flexographic Inks
Gravure Inks
Offset Inks
Publication & News inks
UV Flexo, UV-Gravure & UV-Offset

High-Performance Carbon Blacks for Flexo, Gravure & Offset

Gravure Inks

Where Gravure Is Used

High-end laminate packaging

Decorative Laminates

Publication Gravure

Food wrap films

Barcode & coding films

Why Flexo Is Used

Highest image sharpness
Extremely high printing speed
Best for thin films and multi-layer laminates
Very thin and uniform ink layers

Industry Problems

  • Cylinder wear due to gritty pigments
  • Cell filling from high-structure blacks
  • Solvent retention & odor in food packaging
  • Lack of blue undertone → weak premium blacks
  • Viscosity drift during long, high-speed production
  • Film unevenness from poor dispersion

Fundamental Requirements From Carbon Black

Low structure → Prevents cell plugging
Medium particle size → Low viscosity, fast drying
Low grit → Avoid cell scratches
Blue undertone → Protect expensive anilox and plates
Uniform aggregate size → Smooth film

What Carbon Black Must Deliver 

High-speed dispersibility
Stable rheology in NC/PU systems
High optical density with low loading
Controlled PSD to prevent “mottle”
Good solvent release behaviour
Minimal trapping in gravure cells

How ISTAR Series Solve It

EMPIREX®
Low viscosity, perfect for gravure cylinders
NOBLEX®
Stability in publication gravure and film clarity
ONYX GEMS®
Blue undertone, high OD for luxury packaging
Product Name Product Description Datasheet SDS
NOBLEX® A balanced-structure carbon black series optimized for rheology stability, gloss control and tint consistency in printing ink systems. It supports reliable flow and colour consistency during long production runs.
ONYX GEMS® An ultra-fine, gas-black–inspired carbon black series offering very high jetness, narrow particle size distribution and strong UV absorption. Designed for applications requiring deep optical density, blue undertone and uniform appearance at lower pigment loadings.
EMPIREX® A furnace carbon black series delivering balanced reinforcement, controlled rheology and reliable dispersion across coatings, plastics, rubber and inks. It provides stable colour strength, manageable viscosity and consistent processing, prioritising formulation robustness over extreme jetness or conductivity.

TDS

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SDS

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