Packaging print is at an inflection point. What was once driven purely by speed and cost is now being shaped by performance consistency, regulatory expectations, energy efficiency, and sustainability. In this evolving landscape, UV Rigid printing is no longer a niche technology, rather it is rapidly becoming the new benchmark.

At DIC, our approach to UV Rigid Packaging has been clear: innovation must work where it matters most - on press, at scale, and under real production pressures.

The Shift to UV and LED UV: From Advantage to Expectation

Traditional drying systems are increasingly challenged by today’s packaging demands like tighter timelines, diverse paper & paper board substrates, and higher quality expectations.

Rigid Packaging, particularly UV & LED UV, addresses these challenges decisively.

DIC’s Radicure Intense 9000 UV Curing Rigid Packaging Ink Systems :

• Instant curing, enabling faster job turnaround
• High productivity on modern, high-speed presses
• Consistent print quality across long runs

Our Radicure Intense 10000 LED Curing variants further enhance this by eliminating drying time, making them faster turn around and high-efficiency operations.

What was once seen as advanced is now becoming essential.

Solving Pressroom Challenges, Not Creating New Ones

Adopting UV technology should simplify pressroom operations, not complicate them.

In real-world press environments, printers frequently deal with:

• Set-off issues
• Residual odour
• Inconsistent curing across substrates and speeds

DIC’s Radicure UV Rigid packaging Inks are formulated to directly address these realities. Controlled curing behaviour, stable ink transfer, and optimised formulations help reduce common press issues, enabling predictable output and fewer rejections.

The focus is simple: technology that performs consistently, shift after shift.

What’s Different About DIC’s UV & LED-UV Rigid Packaging Ink Approach

UV & LED Rigid Packaging inks cannot be judged by curing speed alone. Long-term performance depends on what happens after the sheet leaves the press.

DIC’s differentiation lies in its formulation depth, combining inks with application-specific additives to deliver:

• Optimised adhesion across substrates
• Strong mechanical properties and rub resistance
• High press stability, even under demanding conditions

This application-led science ensures that print quality holds up during post-press processes, transportation, and end use - not just at first inspection.

Energy Efficiency and Productivity Go Hand in Hand

Efficiency today is as much about energy as it is about output.

The Radicure Intense 10000 -LED-curable series enables:

• Reduced energy consumption by 70-80% compared to conventional UV systems
• Elimination of drying time, reducing energy load
• Reduced downtime, leading to higher effective throughput
• Eliminated ozone formation

For converters, this translates into tangible operational gains, improving productivity without compromising quality or safety.

A Sustainability Lens That’s Practical, Not Performative

Sustainability in printing is no longer about claims; it is about measurable impact.

DIC’s UV & LED Rigid Packaging portfolio supports:

• Low-VOC formulations, contributing to safer pressroom environments
• Low-migration supportive systems, aligned with sensitive packaging needs
• Reduced emissions through energy-efficient curing technologies

Importantly, these benefits are delivered without asking printers to compromise on performance or reliability.

Redefining the Standard

UV& LED are not simply a technological upgrade - it represents a shift in how packaging print is designed, produced, and scaled.

Through the Radicure ink series systems, DIC is helping printers and converters move towards:

• Higher productivity
• Greater operational confidence
• Responsible, future-ready manufacturing

Because in modern packaging, excellence is not optional, it is expected.