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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

Flexographic Inks (FLEXO)

Where Flexo Is Used in Packaging

Flexible packaging

Labels & Tags

Corrugated Cartons

Paper Cups

Food & FMCG packaging

Why Flexo Is Used

High-speed printing

Ability to run water-based, solvent-based, and UV-based chemistries

Best for thin films and multi-layer laminates

Low odor options for food packaging

Industry Problems

  • Low ink transfer due to anilox cell clogging (poor dispersion or wrong particle size)
  • Viscosity swings during long runs
  • Difficulty dispersing high jetness blacks (small particles cause viscosity spikes)
  • Foaming in water-based systems
  • Scratches on BOPP/PET films due to grit contamination
  • Ink drawdown lines → poor print density

Fundamental Requirements From Carbon Black

Medium-to-large particle size → Lower viscosity, smoother flow
Low-to-medium structure → Easy anilox release
Clean dispersion → Prevent streaking
Low grit → Protect expensive anilox and plates
Controlled surface chemistry → wetting in aqueous or solvent systems

What Carbon Black Must Deliver 

Controlled undertone for film clarity

Low seeding and no re-agglomeration over time

Fast wetting into NC/PU/PVB resins (solvent-based)

UV-curing response (UV flexo)

Zero foam contribution

Stable fluid rheology for long-run flexo jobs

How ISTAR Series Solve It

EMPIREX®
(Furnace black, medium particle size)
Low viscosity, fast dispersion
DURONIX®
(gas-black inspired)

deeper jetness for premium film packaging

Surface-oxidized variants → stable viscosity + fast wetting
Low grit manufacturing → scratch-free printing on high-value films
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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