Coatings can add a certain “je ne sais quoi” to make any packaging pop off the shelf.

By Megan Wolf

For example, Sun Chemical Inc.’s Tony Bean, product manager, folding cartons, sees a trend occurring where coatings are now effectively replacing varnishes. “What we see is, we are asking our coatings to replace a layer of lamination, but still provide excellent water and scratch resistance, and high gloss characteristics,” Bean said. “Doing this will reduce the need for plastics, which will lower overall costs and result in a source reduction of plastics, also making it environmentally friendly.”