As sustainability and workplace safety become increasingly important in print production, Mimaki is advancing UV ink technology with new formulations designed to reduce hazardous substances, such as SVHC (Substances of Very High Concern) and CMR (carcinogenic, mutagenic and reproductive toxicants).
The next-generation ‘ELS’ UV curable inks, which the company has recently added to its lineup – most recently being incorporated with Mimaki’s newly released UJ330H-160 hybrid UV printer – does not contain any SVHC and, according to the company, is the first in the industry to be CMR-free.
By eliminating SVHC and CMR-classified substances, ELS inks reduce potential health risks associated with hazardous chemical exposure, making them safer for human health and the environment.
“The primary driver is risk reduction at the source. By removing SVHC and CMR substances, Mimaki is proactively aligning with stringent global regulatory trends while improving operator safety,” Jason Hay, national sales manager at Mimaki Australia, tells Print21.
“This approach goes beyond compliance, it simplifies workplace safety requirements, reduces potential exposure risks and future-proofs businesses against tightening environmental regulations.
This ink complies with global standards for safety conformity and is environmentally-friendly, all without compromising colour performance, durability or application versatility across rigid and flexible media.
Furthermore, odour has been reduced by approximately 30 per cent compared to conventional UV inks, providing a more comfortable working environment.
“ELS UV inks are formulated to deliver consistent adhesion across both rigid and flexible media, which is critical in hybrid print environments,” adds Hay.
“This allows operators to switch between substrates such as acrylic, aluminium composite panels, films and textiles without complex adjustments or pre-treatment, supporting smoother workflows and broader application capability.
“And most importantly, ELS UV inks maintain high colour vibrancy, sharp detail and durability, consistent with expectations of UV technology. This ensures businesses can meet environmental and safety requirements without compromising output quality or application performance.”
ELS inks have been developed in line with stringent European regulatory frameworks, particularly those guided by the European Chemicals Agency, which are widely regarded as more rigorous than baseline standards in Australia. This provides an added level of assurance for businesses operating in safety-sensitive environments.
In recent years, chemical substance management based on the REACH regulation in Europe has been further strengthened, and products containing SVHC are required to take a wide range of measures, including information disclosure, reporting requirements, and import/export regulations.
Additionally, there is a growing possibility that the use of inks and printed materials containing these substances will be restricted within the next few years, making ‘SVHC-free’ a priority for the industry as a whole.
“Sustainability is becoming a key decision-making factor, driven by customer expectations, regulatory pressures and brand positioning,” Kohei Kobayashi, managing director of Mimaki Australia, tells Print21.
“Ink innovation is opening doors to new applications, particularly in indoor and public-facing environments such as retail, healthcare and education, where safety and emissions are closely scrutinised.
“As a result, environmentally conscious ink formulations are not only meeting compliance needs, but also enabling business growth.”
Moving forward, Mimaki will continue to innovate with a focus on application versatility and user safety.
Future UV ink developments will aim to further reduce environmental impact, improve compatibility with sustainable media, and support more efficient workflows, helping print businesses grow while operating more responsibly.
This article was first published in the May-June 2026 edition of Print21, page 15.