Sun Chemical supports futureproof packaging with a full GIO compliant portfolio ahead of the German Ink Ordinance enforcement

Packaging Solutions

Sun Chemical is supporting food packaging manufacturers and brand owners for the German Ink Ordinance (GIO), effective from 1 January 2027. The company remains committed to providing an innovative portfolio of GIO compliant inks, coatings and overprint varnishes that protect customer brands and ensure packaging is safe and future ready.

The GIO sets out to protect consumer health by regulating the potential migration of chemicals from food packaging into food products. It does this by providing a positive list of substances, including monomers, additives, colorants and solvents, that are permitted for use in printing inks and varnishes used on food contact materials.

Whilst the GIO, by its very name, is specific to Germany, alongside the Swiss ordinances, it will act as a reference point in the absence of an official EU standard. Global brands and the wider supply chain have adopted the GIO principles to show best practice for consumer safety. With expertise in low migration inks and varnishes, Sun Chemical is ideally positioned to support GIO compliance. The company has solutions that cover the full spectrum of printing options, including offset, gravure printing and flexographic printing, including water and solvent based inks, as well as UV and EB formulations.

The company can support its customers across its broad food packaging portfolios, including GIO compliant solutions for paper packaging, folding carton, flexible packaging, lidding and labels and sleeves.

Sun Chemical delivers value led solutions that enable customers to mitigate regulatory risk. In addition, its ‘beyond compliance’ approach guides advanced research and technology that surpasses market standards for product sourcing, safety and sustainability properties.

Nicolas Bétin, director of product strategy EMEA, packaging inks and materials and global sustainability business leader, commented: ‘At Sun Chemical, we support packaging manufacturers and brand owners with futureproof solutions that enable them to adopt a GIO compliant approach with confidence. Our customers see us as a trusted partner because we invest heavily in research and development, provide access to local expertise and offer the widest range of solutions and services, all from one source. Our goal is to help our customers manage regulatory changes and develop future ready solutions. We will continue to work closely with customers to help them achieve safe, compliant and efficient production, for them to ‘Experience. Transformation.’.’