At Wynalda Packaging, we believe that high-impact aesthetics should not come at the expense of the planet. As brands move toward more circular economies, eco-friendly inks and coatings have become a critical factor in packaging.
So, which options offer the best balance of performance and planet-friendliness? Let’s dive into the details.
Eco-Friendly Ink Options
The sustainability of an ink is largely determined by its “vehicle”—the liquid that carries the pigment. Here is how the most common industry options compare.
Vegetable-Based Offset Petroleum-Based Offset UV-Curable Water-Based Flexo Landa NanoInk®
Base chemistry Plant oils + pigment + driers Mineral oils + pigment Acrylate oligomers + photoinitiators Water + resin + pigment Water + polymer-bound nano-pigments
Renewable / bio content 30 – 70 % ~0 % Low Medium Moderate
VOCs / emissions Very low High None (no solvent, but photoinitiators not benign) Very low Very low
Drying mechanism Oxidative polymerization (slow) Oxidative polymerization UV-cure polymerization Evaporation Evaporation + film transfer
Drying speed Slow Moderate Instant Fast Fast
Odor / work environment Low Medium–high Low Low Very low
Rub / scuff resistance Medium Med–High High Medium High
Color strength / gloss Good Excellent Excellent Medium Excellent
De-inkability / recyclability Excellent Fair Poor – variable Excellent Claimed excellent
VOC / air-permit impact Minimal Significant Minimal Minimal Minimal
Energy in curing Low Low High Low Moderate
Press waste reduction Normal Normal Normal Normal High (digital, no plates)
Laser-etch compatibility Good Good Poor Fair Variable (needs window)
Sustainability marketing value Strong Weak Moderate Moderate Strong
Typical use Sheetfed paperboard Sheetfed / web UV offset / flexo Corrugated / paperboard Digital folding cartons
Environment Score 4.5 / 5 2 / 5 3 / 5 4 / 5 4.5 / 5
Vegetable-Based Offset
This is one of the most eco-friendly choices available. By replacing petroleum-based mineral oils with plant-derived oils, these inks offer high renewable content and very low VOC emissions. They are also widely recognized for having excellent de-inkability, making them a favorite for recyclable paperboard.
Petroleum-Based Offset
While traditionally popular for their excellent color strength and gloss, petroleum-based inks rely on mineral oils and result in high VOC emissions. They are increasingly being phased out by brands with strong sustainability mandates.
UV-Curable
UV-curable inks use acrylate oligomers and photoinitiators that dry instantly under UV light. While they produce no solvent emissions, the photoinitiators are not considered “benign,” and require high energy for curing. Their recyclability is also variable, often proving difficult to strip from fibers.
Water-Based Flexo
Frequently used for corrugated packaging, water-based flexo inks are a solid sustainable choice. They utilize water and resin rather than harsh chemicals, resulting in very low VOCs and excellent recyclability.
Landa NanoInk®
Representing the cutting edge of digital print, Landa NanoInk® is another eco-friendly choice. Because it is a digital process, it significantly reduces press waste by eliminating plates. It offers moderate renewable content and excellent de-inkability, making it a “strong” marketing value for eco-conscious brands.
Eco-Friendly Coating Options
Coatings protect the print and provide the tactile experience of the package. For modern brands, the goal is to find the ‘sweet spot’ where high-performance durability, premium aesthetics, and environmental stewardship intersect.
Aqueous Gloss Aqueous Matte Aqueous Soft Touch UV Gloss UV Satin UV Matte UV Soft-Touch Film Laminate (PET/BOPP)
Base chemistry Water-borne acrylic Water-borne acrylic Modified acrylic 100 % solids UV acrylate 100 % solids UV acrylate 100 % solids UV acrylate Modified acrylic / urethane (UV-curable) Plastic film + adhesive
VOC emissions Very low Very low Low None None None None None
Curing / drying Hot air / IR Hot air / IR Hot air / IR Instant UV Instant UV Instant UV Instant UV Heat / pressure
Surface gloss High Low Very low Very high Medium Low Very low Variable
Rub / scuff resistance Moderate Moderate Good Excellent Excellent Good Very good Excellent
Laser-etch compatibility Fair–Good Excellent (best) Fair–Poor Poor Poor – Variable Fair Poor Very poor
Recyclability / repulpability Excellent Excellent Good Good Good Good Good–Moderate Poor
Renewable content Moderate Moderate Low–Moderate Low Low Low Low Low
Tactile feel Slick Paper-like Velvety / soft rubberized Slick / glassy Smooth satin Smooth low-gloss Velvety / rubbery Plastic
Typical uses Food, pharma Premium, laser windows Sustainable & luxury packaging Spirits / cosmetics Premium general Premium matte Cosmetic, spirits, and luxury packaging Ultra-premium barrier
Relative cost Low Low Medium Medium Medium Medium Med–High High
Environment Score 4 / 5 4.5 / 5 3.5 / 5 3 / 5 3 / 5 3.5 / 5 3 / 5 2 / 5
AQ (Aqueous) Coatings
Aqueous coatings are water-borne acrylics that are generally considered the most sustainable finishing option.
- Gloss: Offers a high-shine finish with very low VOCs. It is a standard for food and pharma packaging due to its excellent recyclability.
- Matte: The sustainability leader in coatings. It provides a paper-like feel and is the best option for packages requiring laser-etching windows for serial numbers or barcodes.
- Soft-touch: Provides a velvety, rubberized feel for luxury packaging. While it has a slightly lower environment score than other AQ options, it remains a more sustainable alternative to plastic laminates.
UV Coatings
UV coatings provide a premium, durable finish but require high energy to cure and offer low renewable content.
- Gloss: Known for a slick and glassy feel with very high surface gloss.
- Satin: Provides a smooth, medium-gloss finish often used for premium general packaging.
- Matte: Offers a smooth, low-gloss look, slightly better for recyclability than its gloss counterpart.
- Soft-touch: A modified acrylic/urethane coating that provides a premium, rubbery feel for luxury spirits and cosmetics, though it is more expensive.
Film Laminate (PET/BOPP)
Film lamination involves adhering a literal layer of plastic to the paperboard. While it offers an excellent barrier and scuff resistance, it is the least sustainable option. It is difficult to recycle and relies on plastic films, making it a challenge for brands aiming for plastic-free packaging.
Conclusion
Every choice made during the design process leaves a footprint. By opting for vegetable-based inks and aqueous coatings, brands can achieve a premium look while maintaining high recyclability and low emissions.
At Wynalda Packaging, we are committed to helping you find the perfect balance between shelf presence and environmental responsibility. Speak with a packaging expert to get your project started!