Flexible Packaging Rethinking Nitrocellulose By Dr. Nikola Juhasz, global technical director of sustainability, Sun Chemical N
itrocellulose (NC) has been a key component of solvent-based ink and coating formulations for decades. At Sun Chemical, it has long been one of the most widely used resin systems across the company’s extensive solvent-based product lines, thanks to its exceptional pigment dispersion properties, excellent printability, fast drying time and compatibility with a broad range of substrates. But as the packaging industry evolves to meet increasingly urgent sustainability goals, nitrocellulose is facing growing scrutiny, and not without reason. In addition, recent geopolitical developments – particularly increased investment in the global defence sector – are putting further pressure on nitrocellulose availability. As more NC is prioritised for military use, non- military applications like packaging inks are facing growing supply constraints. This is creating added tension in the supply chain and
increasing the urgency for converters and brand owners to fi nd reliable alternatives. From a sustainability perspective, the recyclability of plastic packaging is under the spotlight, and nitrocellulose-based printing products present a challenge. When fl exible plastic packaging is recycled today it undergoes a process involving sorting by plastic type, washing to remove major contaminants, followed by high-temperature melting and extrusion (typically between 230–250°C). In this last step, nitrocellulose is not thermally stable. When packaging printed with NC-based inks and coatings enters this process, the resin degrades, releasing volatile compounds and causing odour, discolouration, mechanical defects and chemical contamination in the recycled output.
The thermal degradation of NC compromises the quality of the recycled plastic and limits its reuse to lower-grade applications, which reduces profi tability for recyclers and can force brand owners to remove recyclability claims from their packaging – which also aff ects consumer perception and purchasing decisions. Across Europe, the packaging industry is already reacting to the situation. In Sweden, recycling guidelines recommend that inks should remain thermally stable up to 240°C. In Germany, the Central Agency Packaging Register (ZSVR) has prohibited the use of nitrocellulose in polyethylene-based laminated fl exible fi lms, and further restrictions are expected later this year, including for surface-printed structures. Meanwhile, RecyClass – which provides recyclability guidance across the EU under the leadership of Plastic Recyclers Europe – has updated its ink guidelines to place nitrocellulose-based inks in low or non- compatible categories. This shift means many packages containing nitrocellulose-based inks and coatings can no longer be marketed as recyclable.
THE MESSAGE IS CLEAR - CHANGE IS UNDERWAY.
At Sun Chemical, the nitrocellulose challenge is being addressed on multiple fronts. First, to address current global supply constraints, low-NC products are being formulated that allow a smooth transition between current NC- based products and fully NC-free solutions. Sun Chemical is also further developing de-inkable technologies, which allow the removal of inks
18 September 2025
from packaging before the high-temperature re-extrusion processes. Finally, the portfolio of alternative, NC-free chemistries is being expanded and optimised for a broader range of applications.
It is important to note that these developments are not only about recyclability – they are also a strategic response to ongoing supply chain instability. NC-free and low-NC solutions directly address the dual challenge of improving sustainability and reducing dependence on a constrained raw material. De-inking is an important element in achieving packaging circularity, and it is particularly eff ective for surface-printed structures. By washing off inks prior to reprocessing, thermal decomposition impacts and discolouration in the recycled material are avoided. Sun Chemical co-authored a European Printing Ink Association (EuPIA) position paper on de-inking and its importance to achieving packaging circularity and is working with industry bodies such as CEFLEX (Circular Economy for Flexible Packaging) to promote and help scale this approach.
For more complex structures where deinking
is diffi cult – such as laminated fi lms – Sun Chemical already off ers a wide range of non- nitrocellulose alternatives. These include resin systems based on polyurethane (PU), polyamide (PA), polyvinyl butyral (PVB), polyester (PET), acrylics and other hybrid technologies. The development teams work closely with converters and brand owners to tailor the right chemistry to the specifi c requirements of each application. This includes leveraging Sun Chemical’s upward integration within the DIC group, which enables access to proprietary PU technologies – including internally developed resins for both inks and laminating adhesives – to support performance, consistency and supply security.
The nitrocellulose challenge is real and complex, but it is also an opportunity – an opportunity to innovate and lead. With its integrated portfolio spanning packaging, colour materials, and advanced materials – including proprietary expertise in polymers and pigments – Sun Chemical is uniquely well-positioned to help converters and brand owners transition to sustainable, secure solutions without sacrificing print performance, design quality or product impact.
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