Toyo Ink Europe introduces GIO-compliant UV flexo and UV offset inks for safe food packaging applications.
Toyo Ink Europe, part of Japan’s Artience Group, has introduced a comprehensive portfolio of UV and LED UV curable inks designed to comply with the German Printing Ink Ordinance (GIO). The regulation defines strict migration limits for inks used in food packaging applications, setting higher safety benchmarks for the industry.
The newly developed GIO-compliant range covers both flexographic and offset printing processes, ensuring converters can meet food packaging safety standards without compromising on colour performance, curing efficiency, or substrate compatibility.
The rollout began in June 2025 with the introduction of the Steraflex UV flexo inks, followed by the launch of Steraboard UV and Steraplast UV offset inks at Labelexpo Europe in September 2025. According to company leadership, the development process involved close collaboration with multiple partners and extensive technical validation to ensure the inks meet both regulatory and production performance requirements.
Low-migration solutions for diverse packaging needs
The portfolio is specifically engineered to address the technical demands of food-safe flexible and rigid packaging production.
For flexographic applications, Steraflex UV inks deliver strong colour density, rapid UV curing, and compatibility across absorbent substrates such as paper and board, as well as non-absorbent materials including PE, PP, and PET. The Steraflex GIO LED variant supports LED UV curing, offering energy-efficient processing and reduced odour characteristics.
In offset printing, Steraboard UV and Steraplast UV inks are formulated for use on paper, board, and synthetic substrates. These inks provide fast curing, high gloss levels, and reliable adhesion properties. Additionally, the EkoPro LED series—now aligned with GIO compliance—offers a solution for LED offset printing focused on energy efficiency and enhanced safety for food packaging applications.
Preparing for regulatory enforcement
The German Printing Ink Ordinance is scheduled to become mandatory in January 2027. By introducing compliant solutions ahead of enforcement, Toyo Ink Europe enables converters to adopt regulatory-ready systems early, helping them ensure compliance while maintaining operational continuity.
Through coordinated efforts between its analytical, regulatory, and development teams, the company has positioned its ink portfolio to meet evolving safety and sustainability expectations within the packaging sector. The expanded range reflects a strategic focus on supporting the industry’s transition toward safer, compliant, and performance-driven printing solutions.