Dyes for Packaging Sector

The packaging sector is a highly specialized section of the paper industry that has a great demand for the dyestuffs. This increasing demand is backed by the replacement of traditional basic dyestuffs with highly advanced and modified basic and direct dyes. Traditional Basic dyes enjoyed an unrivaled position for a considerable number of years due to a lot of factors, important among them are high color strength, acceptable properties and a more or less modest pricing. But over the years, other dye types, that includes the Direct dyes have tilted the scale of economy in its favour as the perfect choice in the packaging sector.

When it comes to packaging grades the choice of dyes narrows down to three broad categories namely Basic dyes, Modified Basic dyes and Anionic direct dyes. However, a very vital point to note here is that the selection of the dye types cannot be done in isolation only. Other points like if the end product is to be added to a size-press or in the wet-end (stock addition) must be thoroughly considered. Given here are few of the criteria that are applied while considering the type of dye to be used:

• Base colors and types of the furnish
• Hue and depth of target shade
• Necessary technical properties like lightfastness
• Cost factors
• Laws governing environment

These dyes find application in the following popular packaging sector:

• Sacks
• Egg boxes
• Newsprints
• Carton board
• Cationic size press formulations
• Anionic size press formulations
• Fibre board
• Kraftliner