Sun Chemical has launched two major additions to its direct food contact (DFC) ink portfolio, giving brand owners new ways to simplify packaging, boost recyclability and enhance visual impact.

The new SunPak DFC inPace sheetfed system and expanded AquaSafe water‑based colour range are designed to help brands meet tightening PPWR and EPR requirements while improving consumer engagement.

A new generation of DFC inks for folding cartons

Manufactured at Sun Chemical’s Badalona Centre of Excellence, SunPak DFC inPace is engineered for folding carton applications where direct food contact compliance is essential. The company says the system eliminates the need for plastic laminates and inserts, enabling simpler, more recyclable pack designs.

Sun Chemical says SunPak DFC inPace helps packaging manufacturers and brand owners reduce plastic use, improve recyclability, and create engaging consumer experiences without compromising performance.

Key advantages for brands include:

• Regulatory compliance — fully aligned with European food safety standards.
• Material reduction — fewer production steps and lower reliance on plastic barriers.
• Higher bio-based content — verified through Carbon‑14 testing.
• Enhanced internal printing — enabling stronger storytelling inside packs.

AquaSafe: broader colour gamut and a new food‑compliant green

Sun Chemical has also expanded its AquaSafe water‑based DFC ink portfolio with nine new base colours, including a newly developed green pigment that meets European food safety requirements. The extended gamut gives designers greater creative freedom and more accurate colour reproduction across paper, board, flexible films and aluminium foil.

The company highlights that the new colours allow brands to replace plastic barriers with more sustainable substrates without sacrificing vibrancy or performance.

Digital colour verification to reduce waste

Both ink systems integrate with GamutViewer, part of SunColorBox, allowing brands to verify colour achievability before production. This reduces rework, cuts waste and improves operational efficiency — a key advantage for packaging lines under pressure to deliver faster, cleaner and more consistent output.

Nicolas Betin, director of product strategy EMEA & Global Sustainability business leader at Sun Chemical, said the launches respond directly to brand priorities: “Packaging producers and brand owners are looking to simplify packaging, improve recyclability, and enhance consumer engagement.”