Siegwerk introduces new barrier ink technology

Siegwerk has launched CIRKIT OXYBAR WHITE, a new ink technology that combines oxygen barrier performance with white ink functionality in a single printable layer — marking a shift in how barrier properties are delivered in flexible packaging.

Traditionally, packaging structures rely on separate material layers to provide oxygen protection and white opacity, adding complexity and cost. CIRKIT OXYBAR WHITE integrates both functions into a single inline-applied ink, enabling converters to simplify constructions while maintaining performance.

The solution delivers oxygen transmission rates below 5 cc/m²/day at 50% relative humidity, along with a bright, opaque white finish suitable for high-quality graphics. Applied in a single pass using standard flexographic or gravure processes, the ink allows converters to replace multiple layers without adding process steps.

With the launch, Siegwerk is also introducing a new category it calls “Barrier Inks,” where functional performance is embedded directly into the ink layer rather than achieved through additional materials. CIRKIT OXYBAR WHITE builds on the company’s earlier CIRKIT GREASEBAR WHITE, extending the concept to oxygen barrier applications.

The technology is designed to support ongoing industry efforts to simplify packaging structures and improve recyclability. By enabling the replacement of conventional barrier materials such as EVOH, PVdC, aluminum foil, and metallized films in certain applications, the ink can help facilitate mono-material designs aligned with design-for-recycling principles.

In addition to structural benefits, CIRKIT OXYBAR WHITE offers operational advantages, including visual quality control through its white pigmentation, potential for higher press speeds compared to traditional water-based coatings, and reduced total applied cost through fewer layers and processing steps.

“With CIRKIT OXYBAR WHITE, we are redefining what an ink can do,” says Gilles Le Moigne, head of circular economy coatings at Siegwerk. “By combining oxygen barrier and white ink performance in a single layer, we eliminate complexity and open new possibilities for circular packaging design.”

The launch reflects a broader shift toward functional inks, where printing plays a more central role in delivering packaging performance and sustainability outcomes.