Ideal for BOPP, PET, PE & Nylon Films
Engineered for UV flexo, gravure, and inkjet ink formulations
The flexible packaging industry is undergoing a rapid shift toward UV‑curable inks and coatings, driven by high production speeds, vibrant print quality, and strict eco‑friendly regulations.
However, printing on thin, non‑polar plastic films like BOPP, PET, PE, and Nylon presents unique technical hurdles:
Severe volume shrinkage – causing film warping and distortion
Ink delamination – poor adhesion to low‑surface‑energy substrates
Cracking and flaking – during folding, squeezing, and transportation
SINOMER® EFM-10MA (Methacrylic Acid Adduct of Glycidyl Neodecanoate) is a specialty monomer engineered specifically to solve these challenges—without compromising press speed or print quality.
| Flexible Packaging Challenge | How EFM-10MA Solves It | Benefit for Formulators |
|---|---|---|
| Poor adhesion to BOPP, PE, PET after corona treatment | Highly branched lipophilic tertiary carbon backbone acts as a molecular anchor | Excellent tape‑peel resistance on non‑polar substrates |
| Film warping / curling due to high curing shrinkage | Methacrylate functionality with bulky spatial conformation delivers ultra‑low volume shrinkage | Perfectly flat films — no distortion |
| Cracking during flexing, folding, and transportation | Unique bulky branched structure provides built‑in internal plasticization | Ink layer flexes with film — no cracking or flaking |
| Poor resistance to oils, detergents, and acidic contents | Tertiary carbon structure creates a “molecular umbrella” shielding ester bonds | Outstanding chemical, water, and grease resistance — print stays pristine |
1. Viscosity Optimization
With a native viscosity of just 60–100 cps, EFM-10MA serves as an excellent monofunctional reactive diluent. It lowers the viscosity of high‑molecular‑weight oligomers to match the requirements of high‑speed flexo and gravure printing.
2. Curing Synergy for High‑Speed Presses
For ultra‑high‑speed printing lines where oxygen inhibition may slow down curing, we recommend pairing EFM-10MA with:
Amine synergists (amine acrylates)
Highly reactive photoinitiators (such as SINOCURE TPO or SINOCURE 819)
This ensures instantaneous, thorough through‑cure and consistent press performance.
3. Recommended Dosage
5% – 20% by weight of total ink formulation (depending on target substrate and viscosity requirements). For best results, use as a modifying monomer alongside flexible aliphatic urethane acrylates or polyester acrylates.
| Application | Role of EFM-10MA |
|---|---|
| UV flexo / gravure / inkjet inks | Primary reactive diluent and adhesion promoter |
| Lamination adhesives | Provides hydroxyl groups for secondary crosslinking with PU adhesives |
| Overprint varnishes (OPV) | Improves flexibility and block resistance |
| Surface printing on thin films | Prevents ink cracking and film curling |
Q1: Can SINOMER® EFM-10MA be used in food‑contact flexible packaging?
A: While EFM-10MA provides excellent migration resistance due to its ability to crosslink into the ink matrix, its suitability depends on your specific formulation, curing efficiency, and regional food‑contact regulations (such as Swiss Ordinance or Nestlé Guidance). Please contact our technical team for specific compliance documentation.
Q2: How does EFM-10MA improve lamination bond strength in multi‑layer pouches?
A: EFM-10MA contains a pendant secondary hydroxyl group (-OH) . This group can participate in secondary crosslinking with polyurethane (PU) lamination adhesives, significantly boosting interlayer bond strength and preventing delamination during boiling or sterilization processes.
Q3: What is the recommended dosage of EFM-10MA in UV flexible packaging inks?
A: The typical recommended loading level is 5% – 20% by weight of the total ink formulation. It is best used as a modifying monomer alongside flexible aliphatic urethane acrylates or polyester acrylates.
Q4: How does EFM-10MA compare to standard acrylate monomers for flexible packaging?
A: Compared to typical acrylate monomers, EFM-10MA offers lower curing shrinkage, higher flexibility, and better adhesion to non‑polar films. Its bulky branched structure provides a built‑in plasticizing effect that standard linear monomers cannot achieve.
Q5: What is the shelf life of EFM-10MA?
A: When stored in original unopened packaging under recommended conditions (cool, dry, away from light and heat), EFM-10MA has a shelf life of 12 months.
Accelerate your R&D and upgrade your flexible packaging UV inks with SINOMER® EFM-10MA — the next generation of bulky monomer technology.
Contact our ink application specialists today:
Email: Info@sinocurechem.com
Phone: +86 15668330235
Website: www.sinocurechem.com
We offer complete technical support, premium quality control, and consistent global logistics.
