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Security inks manufacturer Luminescence has reformulated some of its thermochromic (heat-reactive) inks to comply with new regulations that came into effect recently.
A new classification for formaldehyde (CAS 50-00-0) introduced on 1st January has made any ink mixture that contains levels of 0.1% or more of formaldehyde subject to the EuPIA (European Printing Ink Association) Exclusion List.
These guidelines ensure that inks are both safe to use, by printers and end users, and safe to manufacture.
Through its audit the firm found that the vast majority of its products do not contain formaldehyde and the products that it identified as containing it generally fall well below the 0.1% EuPIA threshold and therefore remain fully compliant. The company adjusted the formulation of its few products that were found to contain more than 0.1% formaldehyde, to comply with the new regulations.
It said this has not affected the cost of the inks in question and has had no effect on their performance in the vast majority of cases.
The firm stressed that it will continue to sell all of the thermochromic inks it has previously offered, in a broad range of colours and temperatures, and will still include two-colour and tri-thermochromic options for offset, flexo, gravure and screen with conventional and UV drying.
Luminescence manufactures security inks for items such as currency, ID cards, passports, tax stamps, certificates and driving licences.
