Flint Group Packaging Solutions are committed to supporting Flexible Packaging printers across Europe with sustainable and regulatory-compliant inks and coatings.

Our VertixCode (flexographic) and MatrixCode (gravure) ink ranges are available in market-proven Nitrocellulose-free technologies.

While NC-based printing inks are recyclable, NC-free alternatives offer improved compatibility with the mechanical recycling process. These technologies support effective packaging recycling by offering greater chemical stability at higher temperatures.

Specifically, Flint Group's PU-based products deliver outstanding results for our customers and are currently being used in the production of both surface and lamination applications.

Flexible Packaging printers do not need to compromise performance for sustainability!

Flint Group Packaging Solutions' NC-free inks:

- are proven by RecyClass certification
- deliver greater chemical stability during recycling - making it truly circular and PPWR-ready
- deliver the same high colour strength and excellent printability as traditional ink technologies
- enable a seamless transition to NC-free without sacrificing quality or efficiency

Our NC-free products are confirmed with RecyClass Technology Approval

We have reached a major milestone in advancing circularity by achieving RecyClass Technology Approval for our nitrocellulose-free surface print VertixCode Star SC WB1U, MatrixCode Star SC WBU5, and MatrixCode Print WBU8 ink technologies.

The robust testing procedures confirm that packaging printed with these products are fully compatible with established European recycling streams for coloured, flexible PE. This Approval provides converters and brand owners with independent assurance of their packaging’s recyclability, with no negative impact on the quality of the resulting pellets or films.

Read Press Release abour our RecyClass approval

Choose our NC-free inks and shape a sustainable future of packaging with us!

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Why NC-free?

The recycling infrastructure represents a massive investment that must function efficiently to achieve packaging circularity goals. Nitrocellulose-based printing inks are known to interfere with the mechanical recycling of polyolefin structures. Polyurethane-based (PU) inks and coatings support effective packaging recycling!

For the packaging value chain across Europe, it’s critical to address the latest updates to the Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) which was formally approved by the European Parliament in December 2024.

The PPWR will significantly change the design, consumption, and disposal of packaging across the EU, impacting all value chains and marking a substantial shift in the printing landscape. This regulation aims to reduce the environmental impact of packaging while standardising packaging rules across Europe, addressing the current inconsistencies and lack of cohesion.

Its key objectives include:

Preventing packaging waste generation
Boosting high-quality recycling
Creating uniform regulations on labelling, recycled content, and more

Do you want to learn more?

Read our latest blog

"Alignment with the Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR): Our commitment to high performance alternatives to Nitrocellulose-based inks"

Click here

Read full press release

"Flint Group in Europe commits to ink systems free of Nitrocellulose to enhance flexible packaging recycling"

Click here

Future-proof your flexible packaging with VertixCode and MatrixCode

See our NC-free inks in action

Check out our new video to witness VertixCode on press achieving outstanding results at speeds up to 400 m/min in a surface print flexible packaging application. The footage demonstrates the tangible steps we are taking to make transitioning to NC-free chemistries as easy as possible.