Product of the month: The UV portfolio from UFlex Chemicals

What does the product portfolio do?

UFlex provides a portfolio of UV, LED and dual-cure inks, coatings and adhesive solutions for the labels and packaging industry. The range includes inks, OPVs, primers, lamination and cold-foil adhesives, metallic inks, shrink-sleeve inks, lamitube inks, in-mould label (IML) inks and PET/BOPP LED inks. Together, they deliver high-quality printing, decoration, protection and functional performance for labels, sleeves, sachets, tubes, aseptic cartons and in-mould applications.

Which are the different variants?

The portfolio covers UV flexo, LED flexo, dual-cure flexo, shrink-sleeve inks, lamitube inks, PET/BOPP LED adhesion inks, IML inks, metallic inks, low-migration inks, aseptic carton inks, primers, gloss/matte/texture/tactile/screen OPVs, UV/LED lamination adhesives and UV/LED cold-foil adhesives.

How do these variants differ from each other’s?

Variants differ in curing mechanism (UV, LED or Dual-Cure), substrate compatibility, flexibility, migration level, and performance needs. For example, shrink-sleeve inks require distortion resistance and high flexibility, IML inks demand adhesion to PP/PE with excellent moulding resilience, PET/BOPP LED inks need high cure reactivity, and metallic inks focus on brilliance and scuff resistance.

Is there anything in the chemical which is available as a standalone?

Yes. Every component — inks, coatings, primers, texture solutions, laminating adhesives and cold-foil adhesives — can be supplied independently or as part of a fully compatible system. We also offer modular elements like customised photoinitiator blends, surface additives and rheology packages tailored to specific converter needs.

When was the portfolio launched?

The UV portfolio has evolved over many years, while the LED, dual-cure, PET/BOPP LED inks, IML solution and aseptic carton inks were introduced from 2023 to 2025 in response to global shifts towards energy-efficient curing and expanding application demands.

What was the thought process behind it?

Our goal was to build an integrated solutions platform rather than a single product line. Converters increasingly seek performance consistency across inks, coatings and adhesives. We have designed the range to deliver compatibility, customisation, sustainability, LED efficiency, versatility on paper/films and global competitiveness, supported by technical service.

What is the target market(s)?

The range targets self-adhesive label converters, shrink-sleeve manufacturers, lamitube producers, aseptic carton printers, IML specialists, and PET/BOPP laminate converters. Key geographies include India, Bangladesh, Southeast Asia, the Middle East, Africa, Europe and CIS, where LED adoption and specialty packaging growth are accelerating.

What kind of substrates it can handle?

The products perform across paper, coated/uncoated board, BOPP, PET, PVC, PP/PE (including IML grades), PETG and OPS shrink films, laminate tube structures and metallised films. Dedicated primers enhance adhesion on difficult film surfaces.

How fast is it?

The systems are engineered for high-speed narrow-web and mid-web presses, curing rapidly under LED 395 nm as well as 120–160 W/cm UV lamps. Dual-cure grades allow smooth operation on hybrid presses with consistent performance across curing set-ups.

What are the USPs?

Key strengths include a complete end-to-end solution, strong adhesion on challenging substrates, energy-efficient LED and dual-cure chemistries, a wide range covering labels to sleeves to IML, exceptional metallic effects, compatibility across systems, sustainable low-migration options and competitive pricing versus international brands. Customisation is a major USP. Many products are tailored to customer press profiles.

How easy is it to use?

The range is designed for plug-and-run use, requiring minimal press adjustment. Products run smoothly across standard aniloxes, plates and curing units, with stable flow, clean transfer and consistent curing even at high speeds.

What training and support are on offer?

UFlex provides complete technical support: on-site trials, operator training, troubleshooting, curing audits, press optimisation and customised formulation development. Support is continuous from sampling to commercialisation.

How much does it cost?

Pricing is competitive and value-driven, varying by ink system, coating type, adhesive grade and volume. The goal is to offer high-performance, globally benchmarked products at an optimised cost suitable for both domestic and export markets.

Users worldwide?

UFlex UV/LED/dual-cure solutions are used across India, Bangladesh, SEA, Africa, Europe and CIS. With rapid adoption of LED inks, PET/BOPP systems, dual-cure grades, IML inks and shrink-sleeve technologies, we expect strong double-digit growth in 2025–26, supported by customisation, sustainability focus and global expansion initiatives.