Analytical Testing for Printing Inks

At Kansei Solution, we provide comprehensive analytical testing for printing inks, ensuring high-quality results and compliance with industry standards. Leveraging novel testing instruments, we deliver precision and efficiency for all your analytical needs.

 

Inks we cover – 

  We provide comprehensive analytical testing for all types of printing inks, including water-based, solvent-based, UV-curable, and specialty inks. Our state-of-the-art instruments and expertise ensure precise evaluation of physical, chemical, and performance properties, such as viscosity, color consistency, adhesion, and drying time. Additionally, we offer advanced testing for regulatory compliance, including the detection of MOSH, MOAH, and VOCs, as well as migration analysis for food packaging applications. Whether for quality assurance, R&D, or compliance, our tailored solutions cater to the diverse needs of the printing ink industry.

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Mineral Oil in the Ink

(MOSA & MOAH)

Mineral Oil Aromatic Hydrocarbons (MOAH) and Mineral Oil Saturated Hydrocarbons (MOSH) are two categories of mineral oil compounds commonly found in printing inks and packaging materials. MOSH comprises long-chain alkanes and cycloalkanes, while MOAH contains aromatic hydrocarbons, some of which are potentially carcinogenic and genotoxic. These substances can migrate from packaging materials into food, raising significant health concerns. Regulatory frameworks such as the Swiss Ordinance and draft laws in the EU aim to limit MOSH and MOAH migration through functional barriers and stringent testing. Advanced analytical techniques like GC-FID and LC-GC are employed to monitor and ensure compliance with safety standards, while the industry explores alternative formulations to minimize mineral oil usage.
Methods -Testing for MOSH and MOAH is crucial to meet regulatory requirements. The common methods include:

GC-FID: Quantifies MOSH and MOAH content.
LC-GC Coupling: Provides detailed separation and quantification of mineral oil hydrocarbons

Know more about Polycyclic Aromatic Compounds

European Union (EU)

  • Swiss Ordinance (SR 817.023.21):
    Introduced in 2010, this regulation restricts the use of certain substances in food packaging, including MOSH and MOAH. It mandates the use of compliant printing inks and includes a positive list of permitted substances.

  • German Mineral Oil Ordinance:
    A draft regulation aims to limit MOSH and MOAH migration into food by requiring functional barriers in packaging.

  • European Food Safety Authority (EFSA):
    EFSA continuously evaluates the risks of MOSH and MOAH, providing recommendations for safe use and migration limits.

  • India: BIS regulations are evolving to address mineral oil migration in food packaging.

United States

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulates printing inks under 21 CFR Part 174, focusing on indirect food additives. Any component of printing inks that comes into contact with food must meet FDA standards.

The French Circular Economy Law

The following limit values and timelines are defined:
• From 1 January 2023, the ban on the use of mineral oils applied when the concentration
by mass in the ink of MOAH is greater than 1%. (already in force)
• From 1 January 2025, more demanding limit values on the presence of mineral oils apply
o for MOAH: where the mass concentration in the ink of these substances is greater
than 0.1% OR the mass concentration in the ink of compounds with 3 to 7 aromatic
rings is greater than one parts per million (ppm);
o for MOSH: where the mass concentration in the ink of these substances is greater
than 0.1%.
Therefore, until the end of 2024 a limit value applies only to MOAH, while from January 2025,
limit values for both MOSH and MOAH apply