Why sustainability and print performance no longer need to be a trade-off

Sustainability expectations for paper and board packaging continue to increase, with brand owners, retailers, and consumers all demanding lower-impact packaging solutions. Meeting this ambition without compromsing performance is the key challenge facing many pressrooms, but innovations in ink technology can provide the answer.

Why has sustainability traditionally meant a compromise in paper and board printing?

There is a long-standing misconception that more sustainable ink solutions result in lower quality printing. In reality, the transition has reflected the gradual development of bio-renewable raw materials capable of delivering the same high performance as conventional fossil-based alternatives. As these materials have matured and become more commercially available, ink formulations have evolved to provide the print quality, consistency, and reliability converters expect, without compromising sustainability objectives.

These compromises are not viable in a production environment – inks must perform consistently on press within existing workflows, and at commercial speeds. Products that perform well in the lab but introduce variability during a live run are no longer good enough.

A new generation of more sustainable ink technology

Advances in bio-renewable and recycled raw materials have closed the gap between sustainability and performance for packaging inks. Modern formulations enable converters to reduce fossil-based content while upholding the key print properties required for paper and board applications.

TerraCode Bio is developed to help converters support customer sustainability targets without adding unnecessary complexity into production. This range is formulated using bio-renewable and recycled raw materials, with select products containing up to 90% bio-renewable content. Its goal is to reduce the environmental impact of paper and board packaging while maintaining the performance standards converters expect on press.

Delivering sustainability without disruption

Any new ink technology must perform under real production conditions, and TerraCode Bio is no exception. The range offers a direct 1:1 replacement for conventional extenders and has been shown to integrate seamlessly with existing base systems, minimising disruption during changeover. This means converters can adopt more sustainable ink solutions without modifying dispensing systems, press setups, or operator workflows.

In practice, TerraCode Bio delivers consistent coverage and stable tonal values across a range of applications. It is suited to both high-volume corrugated production and more demanding print requirements, maintaining consistency throughout the run rather than only during initial qualification.

Inks that support long-term sustainability goals

Beyond its immediate production benefits, TerraCode Bio also supports the broader sustainability commitments that converters are increasingly expected to meet. By incorporating bio-renewable and recycled raw materials, the range helps reduce reliance on fossil-based resources while contributing to lower carbon emissions associated with extender systems.

These attributes are increasingly important as sustainability expectations across the value chain converge. Brand owners increasingly expect robust data to substantiate sustainability claims while retailers are embedding environmental criteria into their supplier requirements. 

Meanwhile, consumers are also paying closer attention to packaging materials. Research shows almost two-thirds of consumers place ease of recycling as their top priority and 37% report switching brands due to concerns over packaging, largely as a result of its environmental performance. Converters that can meet these expectations while preserving quality and efficiency are better positioned to support their customers and strengthen their competitive advantage.

Put performance and sustainability hand-in-hand with TerraCode Bio

Although the pressure to reduce packaging’s environmental impact is growing, TerraCode Bio shows that meeting this need no longer comes at the expense of press performance. With high bio-renewable content, compatibility with existing systems, and reliable print performance, this solution enables converters to meet sustainability targets without compromising productivity.

Converters assessing how to meet evolving sustainability requirements within their paper and board packaging operations are encouraged to speak with their Flint Group Packaging Solutions representative to explore where TerraCode Bio can support their application.