Abstract: The present invention provides a water-based black ink, utilizing biochar as the black pigment. The black inks of the invention contain high bio-renewable carbon content (BRC), preferably 100% BRC. The inks exhibit the physical properties required to perform according to the requirements of rotogravure and flexographic printing.

Abstract: This development pertains to polyurethane resins for producing stable pigment dispersions that are compatible with co-solvents and humectants used in aqueous ink jet inks. Inks with improved flow in printhead and penetration of substrate may be obtained.

Abstract: The present invention provides alkoxylated polymers. The alkoxylated polymers have two or more alkoxylated sites. The alkoxylated polymers can comprise any monomers and/or oligomers that contain one or more functional groups with an active hydrogen. The alkoxylated polymers are useful in any application for which polymers are generally used. For example, the alkoxylated polymers are useful as additives in ink and coating compositions.

Abstract: The present invention provides a water-based black ink, utilizing biochar as the black pigment. The black inks of the invention contain high bio-renewable carbon content (BRC), preferably 100% BRC. The inks exhibit the physical properties required to perform according to the requirements of rotogravure and flexographic printing.

Abstract: Described herein is a polar non-aqueous dispersion comprising polar polymeric microparticles in a polar non-aqueous medium, the polar polymeric microparticles being insoluble in the medium and being produced by dispersion polymerization of vinyl monomers such as acrylate monomers in the medium in the presence of a polymeric acrylic stabilizer. Inks, coatings and overprint varnishes are formulated that employ the polar non-aqueous dispersion. Such inks, etc., exhibit superior chemical resistance properties, for example in one-part and two-part systems.

Abstract: The present invention provides novel anionic modified rosin ester resins having a high BRC content, up to 100% BRC. The resins of the present invention are useful as emulsion, dispersion, or solution resins. High BRC content pigment grind vehicles, coatings, and finished inks can be prepared using the resins of the present invention. Advantageously, the finished inks of the present invention have equal to or superior properties compared to current commercially available inks sold as sustainable products, but having little to no BRC content. The present invention represents a significant step towards developing sustainable inks and coatings that are better for the environment.

Abstract: Described herein are polymer-encapsulated materials and a method for encapsulating materials with polymer via emulsion polymerization. The encapsulated materials include colorants (e.g., pigments and dyes, and in particular fluorescent dyes), optical brighteners, downconverters and upconverters. The encapsulated materials are produced by the emulsion polymerization of ethylenically unsaturated monomers. The polymer-encapsulation method described herein does not require the preparation of a miniemulsion homogenized with special equipment, such as an ultrasonification device, and the resulting polymer-encapsulated materials exhibit optical properties superior to polymer-encapsulated materials prepared by processes that include the preparation of a miniemulsion prepared with such special equipment, such as an ultrasonification device.

Abstract: Described herein is an actinically curable adhesive composition, suitable for sealing flexible packaging, that includes an inert urethane polymer and an ethylenically unsaturated monomer component selected from at least one monofunctional ethylenically unsaturated monomer, at least one multifunctional ethylenically unsaturated monomer, and a combination thereof, wherein the ethylenically unsaturated monomer component disperses the inert urethane polymer. The compositions are suitable for forming flexible packaging materials for foods and other materials, particularly sensitive materials. Also described are flexible packaging materials and a method for preparing an actinically curable adhesive composition.

Abstract: Described herein are polymer-encapsulated materials and a method for encapsulating materials with polymer via emulsion polymerization. The encapsulated materials include colorants (e.g., pigments and dyes, and in particular fluorescent dyes), optical brighteners, downconverters and upconverters. The encapsulated materials are produced by the emulsion polymerization of ethylenically unsaturated monomers. The polymer-encapsulation method described herein does not require the preparation of a miniemulsion homogenized with special equipment, such as an ultrasonification device, and the resulting polymer-encapsulated materials exhibit optical properties superior to polymer-encapsulated materials prepared by processes that include the preparation of a miniemulsion prepared with such special equipment, such as an ultrasonification device.

Abstract: The present invention concerns polyester resins of General Formula I (HO—[R1R2C(CH2—)]a[—OCOCxHyCO2—]b[—CpHzO—]c—H) or General Formula II (HO—[R1R2C(CH2—)2]a[—OCOCxHyCO2—]b[—CH2CR3(CO2H)CH2O]d—H), wherein R1, R2, a, b, c, d, x, y, p, and z are as defined herein, for use in inks and coating compositions. The polyester resins of the present invention are particularly, but not exclusively, suitable to enhance the adhesion between a printing ink or coating composition and a substrate, especially a plastic substrate, to which it is applied. The polyester adhesion promoters of the invention are compatible with urethane-based inks and coating compositions.

Abstract: Described herein is an actinically curable adhesive composition, suitable for sealing flexible packaging, that includes an inert urethane polymer and an ethylenically unsaturated monomer component selected from at least one monofunctional ethylenically unsaturated monomer, at least one multifunctional ethylenically unsaturated monomer, and a combination thereof, wherein the ethylenically unsaturated monomer component disperses the inert urethane polymer. The compositions are suitable for forming flexible packaging materials for foods and other materials, particularly sensitive materials. Also described are flexible packaging materials and a method for preparing an actinically curable adhesive composition.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a water-based printing ink or coating composition comprising an acrylic resin emulsion and an epoxy ester resin dispersion. The present invention also provides a process for preparing the printing ink or coating composition comprising forming an emulsion of an acrylic resin having the general formula I by copolymerizing monomers in water, forming an epoxy ester resin dispersion by adding the epoxy ester resin to a solvent and combining the acrylic resin emulsion and the epoxy resin ester dispersion to provide the composition. Finally the present invention provides a process for preparing an article with a coating or an ink printed thereon which comprises applying the ink or coating composition to a surface of an article and drying the composition. The compositions exhibit a high degree of alkali resistance, acid resistance and/or water softener resistance.

Abstract: The present invention concerns polyester resins of General Formula I (HO—[R1R2C(CH2—)]a[—OCOCxHyCO2—]b[—CpHzO—]c—H) or General Formula II (HO—[R1R2C(CH2—)2]a[—OCOCxHyCO2—]b[—CH2CR3(CO2H)CH2O]d—H), wherein R1, R2, a, b, c, d, x, y, p, and z are as defined herein, for use in inks and coating compositions. The polyester resins of the present invention are particularly, but not exclusively, suitable to enhance the adhesion between a printing ink or coating composition and a substrate, especially a plastic substrate, to which it is applied. The polyester adhesion promoters of the invention are compatible with urethane-based inks and coating compositions.

Abstract: The present invention provides alkoxylated polymers. The alkoxylated polymers have two or more alkoxylated sites. The alkoxylated polymers can comprise any monomers and/or oligomers that contain one or more functional groups with an active hydrogen. The alkoxylated polymers are useful in any application for which polymers are generally used. For example, the alkoxylated polymers are useful as additives in ink and coating compositions.

Abstract: Described herein is a polar non-aqueous dispersion comprising polar polymeric microparticles in a polar non-aqueous medium, the polar polymeric microparticles being insoluble in the medium and being produced by dispersion polymerization of vinyl monomers such as acrylate monomers in the medium in the presence of a polymeric acrylic stabilizer. Inks, coatings and overprint varnishes are formulated that employ the polar non-aqueous dispersion. Such inks, etc., exhibit superior chemical resistance properties, for example in one-part and two-part systems.

Abstract: A polymer complex is disclosed which is the reaction product of one or more polymers having a terminal or pendant hydroxyl group, or a terminal or pendent carboxyl group, or combinations thereof, with at least one metal complex and one alkyl phosphate. This polymer complex acts as an adhesion promotion agent as well as a viscosity stabilizer when formulated in a printing ink or coating.

Abstract: Provided is an oxygen barrier coating composition includes a resin including a compound of the following formula: where R1 is an alkyl, cycloalkyl, aryl, alkyl aryl, glycol or polyol group, where the alkyl, cycloalkyl, aryl, alkyl aryl, glycol or polyol group is substituted with one or more glycidyl groups, the alkyl group of R1 is further substituted with one or more OH, cycloalkyl, aryl, heteroaryl or glycidyl ethers or combinations thereof, and the cycloalkyl, aryl, alkyl aryl, glycol or polyol group of R1 optionally is substituted with one or more alkyl, OH, cycloalkyl, aryl, heteroaryl or glycidyl ethers or combinations thereof, and R2 is an alkyl, cycloalkyl, aryl or heteroaryl group, where the alkyl, cycloalkyl, aryl or heteroaryl group is substituted with one or more mercapto groups, and the aryl, alkyl aryl, alkyl, cycloalkyl or heteroaryl group optionally is substituted with one or more alkyl, OH, cycloalkyl, aryl, heteroaryl or glycidyl ethers or combinations thereof.

Abstract: The present invention provides alkoxylated polymers. The alkoxylated polymers have two or more alkoxylated sites. The alkoxylated polymers can comprise any monomers and/or oligomers that contain one or more functional groups with an active hydrogen. The alkoxylated polymers are useful in any application for which polymers are generally used. For example, the alkoxylated polymers are useful as additives in ink and coating compositions.

Abstract: The present invention concerns polyester resins of General Formula I (HO—[R1R2C(CH2—)]a[—OCOCxHyCO2—]b[—CpHzO—]c—H) or General Formula II (HO—[R1R2C(CH2—)2]a[—OCOCxHyCO2—]b[—CH2CR3(CO2H)CH2O]d—H), wherein R1, R2, a, b, c, d, x, y, p, and z are as defined herein, for use in inks and coating compositions. The polyester resins of the present invention are particularly, but not exclusively, suitable to enhance the adhesion between a printing ink or coating composition and a substrate, especially a plastic substrate, to which it is applied. The polyester adhesion promoters of the invention are compatible with urethane-based inks and coating compositions.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a water-based printing ink or coating composition comprising an acrylic resin emulsion and an epoxy ester resin dispersion. The present invention also provides a process for preparing the printing ink or coating composition comprising forming an emulsion of an acrylic resin having the general formula I by copolymerizing monomers in water, forming an epoxy ester resin dispersion by adding the epoxy ester resin to a solvent and combining the acrylic resin emulsion and the epoxy resin ester dispersion to provide the composition. Finally the present invention provides a process for preparing an article with a coating or an ink printed thereon which comprises applying the ink or coating composition to a surface of an article and drying the composition. The compositions exhibit a high degree of alkali resistance, acid resistance and/or water softener resistance.