Hubergroup’s Dynamica approach to ink innovation

Noel Marshall D'Cunha (NMD): Dynamica is a new launch. What led to its development?

Richard Gill: Yes, it is a new product in our portfolio. Through ongoing discussions with customers, we identified a clear demand for ink that offers high pigmentation and a fast setting for modern, high-speed printing presses. The aim was to enable quick turnaround times, allowing printers to move jobs seamlessly from press to post-press. Our internal development teams worked closely to formulate an ink that meets these requirements.

NMD: You describe Dynamica as highly pigmented. How does its formulation differ from conventional inks in achieving colour density and gloss?

RG: The pigments themselves are not different, but we use a higher pigment loading. Our binder resin technology allows the ink to hold this increased pigment concentration while maintaining good transfer properties. The combination of resins and oils enables high colour intensity without compromising press performance.

NMD: Does the manufacturing process differ from other inks?

RG: No, the process remains largely the same. The key difference lies in the formulation.

NMD: Viscosity and rheology are critical in ink performance. How does Dynamica’s viscosity profile influence its behaviour under different printing conditions?

RG: Dynamica inks are available in two different viscosity versions- the standard ink rheology version suitable for European printing and press room conditions and the high tack and viscosity version for higher temperature tropical conditions like in India or Asia.

The inks are designed for high-speed printing presses, which require inks with a robust viscosity profile. The ink must maintain stability under high shear conditions without misting or affecting print quality. We have tailored Dynamica to ensure a smooth transfer and consistent performance across various press speeds.
 
NMD: How does it perform on different substrates, particularly non-porous materials and coated papers?

RG: Dynamica is formulated for coated and uncoated papers. It is not intended for non-porous substrates, as those require different ink properties. The target applications include high-quality brochures and catalogues.

NMD: Why can’t a single ink work across all substrates?

RG: It comes down to the chemistry of resins and how they interact with different materials. The rheology and tack properties that work for one substrate may not be suitable for another. A universal ink would simplify things, but achieving compatibility across all materials is not feasible without compromising performance.

NMD: Dynamica is free from cobalt and mineral oil. How do these changes affect drying and ink stability?

RG: We eliminated cobalt from our products years ago and have developed alternative drying systems that are now well-established in the market. In fact, these systems deliver slightly better drying characteristics. The removal of mineral oil changes the drying profile, but it also strengthens the oxidative drying process, improving resistance to rubbing and marking.

NMD: What about other solvents such as toluene?

RG: Those solvents are not typically used in sheetfed offset inks, so they are not a concern here. The key focus with Dynamica is eliminating mineral oil and using a vegetable oil-based system.

NMD: Why switch from mineral oil to vegetable oils?

RG: There are multiple reasons. Mineral oil is a finite resource, and its prices can be volatile. Regulatory pressure is increasing worldwide to limit its use. Vegetable oils are renewable; crops such as linseed or soy can be grown and regrown. In addition, mineral oil is not permitted in food packaging due to concerns over migration into recycled materials. Since printed products often enter the recycling stream, moving to mineral oil-free formulations supports broader safety and sustainability goals.

NMD: Dynamica is positioned as a fast-drying ink. What specific drying mechanisms does it use?

RG: The combination of special vegetable oils and resins ensures a fast setting without mineral oil. One of the advantages of mineral oil is its quick setting properties, so replacing it required careful formulation. We have been able to match that performance while maintaining a mineral oil-free system.

NMD: Given its compatibility with high-speed printing, how does Dynamica maintain print quality at different press speeds?

RG: The key is in controlling the rheology and ensuring high pigmentation. The higher colour strength allows printers to run with a lower ink film thickness, avoiding over-inking or excessive dampening. This results in better print stability and consistency.

NMD: Is there a recommended press speed for Dynamica, considering printers operate at varying speeds?

RG: The ink itself does not have a speed limitation. The main factor is the substrate—some papers may be prone to picking at high speeds. However, Dynamica has been formulated to perform well at both high and moderate speeds. If adjustments are needed, we provide suitable additives that allow printers to fine-tune the ink’s behaviour based on their press and substrate.

NMD: Are these adjustments made at your end, or can printers do them in-house?

RG: Printers can make minor adjustments themselves using the recommended additives. We provide guidance on optimising ink performance based on their specific requirements.

NMD: Are there specific fountain solutions or press settings required when switching to Dynamica?

RG: Not particularly. Dynamica is a versatile product and works well with most existing systems. While we develop our own fountain solutions, Dynamica is compatible with widely used alternatives. No major adjustments are needed when switching from a conventional ink.

NMD: Which printing processes is Dynamica best suited for, and how does it handle long-run versus short-run jobs?

RG: It is designed specifically for conventional sheetfed offset printing. For long runs, the ink’s viscosity profile ensures stability, even under high-temperature conditions caused by extended press operation. For short runs, its high colour intensity and fast start-up ensure efficiency, allowing printers to switch between jobs quickly while maintaining colour consistency.

NMD: Dynamica is Cradle to Cradle certified. Beyond being free of cobalt and mineral oil, what sustainability measures have been incorporated?

RG: Cradle to Cradle evaluates all raw materials in terms of renewability, environmental impact, and recyclability. This goes beyond just ingredient substitution—it looks at how materials are sourced, their effect on the recycling process, and whether they cause any harm if they enter composting systems. This makes Cradle to Cradle an important certification for us, as it assesses sustainability at every stage of the product’s lifecycle.

NMD: With increasing regulatory pressure on print chemicals, how does Dynamica align with compliance standards?

RG: Compliance is complex, as there are numerous certifications globally. We selected Cradle to Cradle because of its depth of evaluation. Additionally, we hold an EcoVadis silver certification, which assesses our overall environmental performance. These certifications, along with our own measures such as removing mineral oil and cobalt, ensure that Dynamica aligns with evolving regulatory and sustainability requirements.

NMD: How does pricing compare with conventional inks?

RG: Pricing is in line with other high-pigmentation ink series. It is a premium product designed for high-quality print applications, but it remains competitive within its category.

NMD: What’s next after Dynamica?

RG: That depends on the market response. We continuously engage with customers to understand their requirements, and our product development will align with those needs. Innovation is an ongoing process, and we will continue refining our portfolio based on customer feedback.