Ideal for high-speed, high-quality packaging applications, nitrocellulose has long been a staple ingredient in solventbased inks and coatings, owing to its fast drying, excellent pigment dispersion, and press performance — though recyclability (and recent market supply) challenges are prompting innovation and regulatory scrutiny.

The high heat used in plastic recycling processes causes the binder to break down, rendering it incompatible with circular packaging goals. This has resulted in concerns across packaging value chain stakeholders, especially considering the added pressure of impending sustainability legislation and regulations.