Tackifier Resin Applicability Across Ink Systems

Note. Rosin Esters in Water-Based Inks — Formulation Requirements

Standard rosin esters are hydrophobic in character and are not inherently miscible with aqueous phases. Direct addition of unmodified rosin ester to a water-based ink formulation will result in phase separation, poor dispersion stability, and a marked deterioration in final film properties — including reduced gloss, compromised adhesion, and inconsistent pigment wetting.

To incorporate rosin esters effectively into water-based systems, two principal formulation approaches are employed:

1. Saponification (in-situ soap formation)
The rosin ester is partially or fully hydrolysed with an alkali base (typically potassium hydroxide or ammonium hydroxide) to form a rosin soap — an alkali rosinate that acts as both a surface-active dispersant and a tackifying resin. This process is commonly carried out in the grind stage, where the rosinate also assists with pigment wetting and dispersion. The saponification conversion should be monitored via acid value titration to ensure consistent performance across batches.

2. Mechanical micro-emulsification
High-shear emulsification is used to reduce rosin ester droplets to a sub-micron particle size (typically below 1 µm), producing a stable micro-emulsion or nano-emulsion that remains uniformly dispersed in the aqueous phase. The resulting emulsion must be evaluated for long-term storage stability (settling, creaming, freeze-thaw resistance) and for compatibility with the binder system and any co-resins present.

Both approaches require optimisation of the neutralising agent or surfactant package, the emulsification equipment, and the processing temperature. Formulators should also verify that the chosen approach complies with relevant food contact and food packaging regulations applicable to the target market, as saponification may affect the regulatory status of the final ink.

Note.

UV-curable systems: standard rosin esters and unmodified rosin resins do not contain photosensitive functional groups and act primarily as physical tackifiers in UV formulations. They must be used in conjunction with acrylate prepolymers, or reactive grades should be selected where chemical participation in polymerisation is desired — for example, acrylic acid modified rosins, which contain polymerisable double bonds and can undergo free-radical polymerisation under UV irradiation.

Technical Data and Specifications

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Product Applicability and Fitness for Purpose

The applicability ratings and product-category associations set out on this page are derived from theoretical assessment of chemical structure, known solubility parameters, and established industrial practice. They are not conclusions drawn from controlled experimental testing and should not be taken as a guarantee of performance, compatibility, or safety in any specific formulation, process, or end-use application.

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Regulatory Compliance — Food Contact and Packaging Applications

Products indicated as suitable for food packaging applications on this page may be used as raw materials or intermediates in food contact formulations. Compliance with applicable food contact regulations — including, but not limited to, EU Regulation (EC) No 10/2011, US FDA 21 CFR, GB 9685, and any other relevant national or regional standards — in the final article is the sole responsibility of the formulator, converter, and end-user. Regulatory status is subject to change and must be verified on a case-by-case basis for each specific end-use and jurisdiction. The inclusion of a product on this page does not constitute a regulatory approval or certification.

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