Arcova LMG Low-Migration Gravure Inks
Solvent-based low-migration polyurethane gravure inks for reverse printing sensitive food packaging, made from a restricted raw-material list for indirect food contact. Use of the range does not replace the converter's and packer's assessment of the finished pack.
Grade Arcova LMG | Range Printing Inks for Flexible Packaging | Technology Solvent-based low-migration polyurethane gravure ink
Technical Data Sheet
Arcova LMG
Issue 2026.09
1. Product description
Solvent-based low-migration polyurethane gravure inks for reverse printing sensitive food packaging, made from a restricted raw-material list for indirect food contact. Use of the range does not replace the converter's and packer's assessment of the finished pack.
2. Features
- Restricted raw-material list selected against the EuPIA Exclusion Policy and Swiss Ordinance listings
- Manufactured under segregation controls to prevent carry-over from standard production
- Low odour and low taint transfer
- Batch traceability for compliance documentation
- Statement of Composition available under a mutual non-disclosure agreement
3. Recommended uses
Reverse-printed laminates for sensitive foods such as dairy, fats, infant nutrition secondary packaging, chocolate and low-barrier structures, where migration and taint must be controlled and documented. The ink layer must never contact the food, and the range is not for structures whose barrier and coat weight have not been assessed.
4. Typical properties
| Property | Typical value | Method |
|---|---|---|
| Technology | Solvent-based low-migration polyurethane gravure ink | Formulation |
| Appearance | Pigmented liquid ink; finished shades, concentrate bases, opaque whites and reducing medium | Visual |
| Binder system | Low-migration polyurethane | Formulation |
| Carrier | Organic solvent blend; the ink dries by solvent evaporation | Formulation |
| Printing viscosity | 15 to 19 s, Ford cup B4 (4 mm) at 25 °C | Ford cup B4, 4 mm orifice, at 25 °C; customer or supplier protocol |
| Raw-material basis | Restricted list selected against the EuPIA Exclusion Policy and Swiss Ordinance listings; declarations issued on request against the product supplied | Formulation control |
| Manufacture and traceability | Segregated production to prevent carry-over; batch traceability for compliance documentation | Supplier manufacturing control |
| Odour and taint | Low; assessed on the printed and laminated structure | Customer or supplier protocol |
| Migration | Not a property of the ink alone; assessed on the finished pack by the converter and packer, supported by a Statement of Composition under a mutual non-disclosure agreement | Customer or supplier protocol |
| Retained solvent | Checked on the printed reel before release for conversion | Customer or supplier protocol, headspace gas chromatography |
Typical values, not a specification. Values for each batch are given on its Certificate of Analysis.
5. Application
| Parameter | Guidance |
|---|---|
| Printing method | Rotogravure, reverse print for lamination; the ink layer must never contact the food |
| Substrate and surface preparation | Chemically coated PET, printed on the coated side, is preferred for barrier structures. Corona-treated BOPP needs 40 to 42 dynes/cm at printing, checked to ISO 8296; validate bond and set-off before the run. Foil and metallised laminates are printed on the primed side, with anchorage confirmed per lot. Treated PE film is printed on the treated side, with treatment level, bond and set-off validated before the run |
| Ink handling | Do not mix with standard (non low-migration) ranges, including other Arcova ranges, or with products from other manufacturers. Clean ducts, pumps, doctor blades and viscosity cups free of standard ink before the run, and reduce only with the solvent blend specified for the range |
| Dilution | Stir until homogeneous before reducing. Reduce viscosity in small steps, using only the solvent blend specified for the range, to the printing window of 15 to 19 s, Ford Cup B4 (4 mm) at 25 °C, re-checking after each addition with one clean cup per printing unit. Use the range's own reducing medium to adjust colour strength, not viscosity. Use the fastest solvent blend consistent with clean printing and the dryer capacity |
| Drying | Solvent evaporation. Set dryer air temperature and volume for a dry, non-tacky film at the rewind without distorting thin film, keep rewind tension and reel temperature moderate to limit invisible set-off, a main migration route, and check the printed reel for retained solvent before release for conversion |
| Next step | Lamination, followed by the converter's and packer's assessment of the finished pack, including barrier and coat weight, before commercial use |
6. Storage and handling
Store in tightly sealed original containers at 5 to 35 °C, preferably 10 to 25 °C, away from direct sunlight and heat, and stir until homogeneous before use. Shelf life is stated on the label and Certificate of Analysis. Handle and use the product in line with its Safety Data Sheet.
7. Safety and regulatory information
Read the Safety Data Sheet before use. Safety Data Sheets and regulatory declarations are issued by our technical centre against the product and batch supplied, so they are sent on request rather than published. Request a Safety Data Sheet or declaration.
This Technical Data Sheet is published for on-screen reference. The information is given in good faith from laboratory and application experience and describes typical values; it is not a specification and does not replace a trial on your own substrate and line. Arctic Materials may revise this sheet without notice. Issue 2026.09.
Technical Data Sheets on this site are for on-screen viewing. For a controlled copy, write to tech@arcticmaterials.com.
Other ink ranges
Need a Safety Data Sheet, a regulatory declaration or a grade specified to your line? Contact our technical centre.