Features Consumables Premedia
Update on Sun Chemical material shortage for UV inks

Yesterday, Sun Chemical CMO & Board Member Felipe Mellado provided an update to the company’s May 9, 2018, statement on the global raw material shortage affecting UV curing inks, specifically supplies of UV photoinitiators.

“Unfortunately, the manufacturing and supply of this feedstock has been further delayed due to inspections still ongoing regarding compliance with Chinese environmental regulations. Furthermore, this supply disruption is impacting several photoinitiators beyond our initial communication of TPO only.

“This means that supplies of these photoinitiators are now at critically low levels globally, which is impacting our ability to manufacture and supply inks to our customers on a timely basis as stated within our service level agreements. We do not anticipate the situation will be resolved soon, in fact we expect the supply shortage will be a reality for at least the next two to three months,” he said.

Related: Sun Chemical warns of potential photoinitiator shortages

Mellado explains in order to help manage materials effectively, it will continue to be necessary to offer inks formulated with alternative materials at short notice, saying customers will be advised when this is the case.  

“Furthermore, we may also need to limit orders in excess of historical consumption. This situation is increasing the cost of remaining photoinitiator materials significantly and alternative materials are also affected,” he continued.