Reflecting a general increase in environmental awareness, the use of water-based printing inks to replace solvent-based systems is growing rapidly. A logical extension of this trend is the minimisation of waste water production from these inks by the use of high-quality pigment preparations.

Hand in hand with these environmental benefits, the use of pigment preparations streamlines the entire manufacturing cycle, reduces the need for complex raw material stocks and significantly improves the ability of ink manufacturers to respond quickly to customer demands in a quality and price-conscious market.

"Heucosperse I" are low-viscosity dispersions of organic pigments in a solution of a styrene acrylic copolymer : the pH range being adjusted to lie between 8 and 9. Pigmentation and resin levels have been carefully chosen to provide the best possible balance between stability, gloss, viscosity and compatibility. Since the pigment is already optimally dispersed, the need for cost-intensive pre-dispersion and milling is eliminated. These products are solvent-free.

Colour consistency problems are also minimised by the use of Heucosperse, as each batch is subjected to strict colourimetric control.

Summary of benefits :-

• high strength
• high gloss
• excellent transparency
• broad compatibility
• easy to use
• cost-effective
• solvent-shock resistant
• pH 8.0 - 9.0