Kwang Myung Ink Co., Ltd. (KMI) participated in the 2026 International Eco-friendly Printing Techniques Conference, held on November 4, 2026, at the Sollago Myeongdong Hotel in Seoul, South Korea, where the company shared insights into global sustainable ink technologies and the printing industry's response to evolving environmental regulations.

 

Organized by PRINTING TREND and the Korea Printing Culture Association, the conference was held under the theme "Global Trends and Challenges in Eco-friendly Printing." The event brought together printing industry professionals to discuss sustainable printing technologies and the future challenges facing the industry.

 

At the conference, Mr. Jeongmin Park, Director of KMI's R&D Center, delivered a presentation titled "Recent Trends in Eco-Friendly Printing Inks and Industry Responses."

During his presentation, Mr. Park outlined the evolution of environmentally friendly printing inks, from traditional soybean oil-based formulations and aromatic-free solvents to technologies focused on reducing volatile organic compounds (VOCs), eliminating mineral oils, utilizing bio-based raw materials, and developing energy-curable ink systems.

 

He highlighted major European environmental regulations, including REACH, the Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR), and the European Printing Ink Association's (EuPIA) Exclusion Policy. He also addressed increasingly important restrictions on substances such as PFAS and mineral oil hydrocarbons (MOSH/MOAH), which are reshaping raw material selection and ink formulation strategies across the printing industry.

 

By comparing environmental regulations and certification systems in key markets, including Germany, France, and Japan, Mr. Park emphasized that the future of sustainable printing inks must extend beyond reducing hazardous substances to encompass recyclability, deinkability, and product carbon footprint management.

The presentation also introduced KMI's ongoing research and development initiatives and its portfolio of environmentally responsible printing ink technologies.

 

KMI has developed and supplied a wide range of sustainable printing solutions, including Mineral Oil Free (MOF) inks that replace petroleum-based solvents with bio-based alternatives, waterless printing inks that eliminate the need for dampening solutions, and LED UV inks that support energy-efficient printing processes.

 

Since its establishment in 1976, KMI has continuously advanced its printing ink technologies and expanded its global presence, supplying products to customers in more than 65 countries. Through its extensive international experience, the company has developed the expertise to respond to diverse printing requirements and evolving environmental standards across global markets.

 

The presentation further addressed key challenges facing the printing ink industry, including compliance with the EU PPWR's packaging recyclability requirements, product carbon footprint (PCF) management, and the need to strengthen raw material management and regulatory compliance systems in response to evolving REACH requirements, including those concerning synthetic polymer microparticles.

 

Looking ahead, KMI will continue to monitor global environmental regulations and technological developments while strengthening its research and development capabilities. The company remains committed to expanding its portfolio of high-value ink solutions that combine environmental sustainability with outstanding print quality and production efficiency.

 

Through continuous technological innovation, KMI is committed to anticipating evolving customer needs and strengthening its role as a trusted technology partner, contributing to a more sustainable future for the global printing industry.