The Flint Group has announced the global launch of its latest version UV LED process ink, Xcura Evo. Xcura Evo was created via a new, advanced resin technology system that delivers increased stability and performance consistency. “Evo is short for evolutionary,” explained Trevor Amps, Flint’s Global Product Management Director for Energy Curing Inks. “This signals a step change from our world-renowned Xcura formulations which, for the past four years, have served our customers very well as an industry leader. Xcura Evo is our next-generation offer to the UV LED and low-energy sheetfed market, and we’re very pleased to announce its global launch. More and more sheetfed press manufacturers are heading their technology development with LED and low-energy curing, and we see growing numbers of retro-fit conversions from lamp providers and OEMs as well. Some of the main drivers encouraging commercial printers to switch to UV LED are improved efficiency, reduced energy costs and the ability to break into new markets. Xcura Evo helps to maximize all of these with its excellent flow characteristic, superb transfer and high gloss,” Amps added.
“We’re very pleased with the number of improvements we’ve achieved with “Platform Technology,” said Dario Zarantoniello, Flint’s UV Inks and Coatings Technical Manager, who managed field trials of the new ink. “We tested Evo on all the main presses and many formats, straight and perfecting, with and without IPA, highest production speeds and quality standards, and we drew critical comparisons against our existing products and all of our main competitors. The customers noted better gloss levels, exceptional colour strength and sharper dots. They also commented on much better stability, as production speeds increased, offering tangible efficiency benefits.”
“Xcura Evo is the second global launch this year to be created with these unique formulations,” Amps added. “As well as all the improvements Dario just mentioned, one more main impact from Evo is the low waste generated thanks to excellent transfer properties on all substrates. Add to this the fact that all Flint Group sheetfed energy-curing products are compliant with current raw material exclusion lists, National and International regulations and manufacturing best practices, and the result is a very positive, sustainable product offering in our latest energy-curing product range. Considering we’re the only manufacturer offering just one product for both UV LED and the low-energy systems, I think we’ve come up with an excellent new product that will prove to be a real winner.”
Flint Group launches Xcura Evo new-generation UV LED sheetfed process ink
