UV Coatings

UV coatings are clear liquid finishes applied to printed materials and packaging that cure instantly when exposed to ultraviolet (UV) light. Unlike aqueous or solvent-based coatings that dry through evaporation, UV coatings undergo a photochemical reaction that creates a hard, durable, crosslinked film in less than one second. This rapid curing process enables faster production speeds while delivering superior gloss, scratch resistance, and moisture protection.

Ascent Chemicals manufactures two main categories of UV coatings:

• Appearance & Protective Coatings: High-gloss, matte, and satin finishes that enhance visual appeal and protect against scuffing, scratching, and handling damage
• Primers & Print-Receptive Coatings: Glueable, foil-stampable, and imprintable coatings that maintain surface receptivity for downstream converting operations

Our portfolio includes benzophenone-free formulations suitable for food packaging applications.

• Printing & Publishing: Commercial print, direct mail, promotional materials, catalogs
• Packaging: Folding cartons, paperboard packaging, retail boxes, premium packaging
• Food & Beverage: Food-safe packaging using benzophenone-free formulations
• Pharmaceutical: Medicine packaging, healthcare product boxes
• Cosmetics & Personal Care: Luxury packaging, retail boxes, promotional displays
• Consumer Goods: Product packaging, point-of-purchase displays

UV coatings offer several advantages over aqueous coatings:

• Curing Speed: Instant cure under UV light vs. evaporation drying
• Gloss Level: Higher achievable gloss and visual impact
• Durability: Superior scratch, scuff, and abrasion resistance
• Film Properties: Dense, crosslinked film with excellent chemical resistance
• Production Speed: Faster throughput with immediate handling after curing
• Moisture Resistance: Better barrier against water and humidity

Aqueous coatings may be preferred when lower equipment investment or specific sustainability requirements are priorities.

Benzophenone-free UV coatings are formulations that exclude benzophenone-based photoinitiators, which are chemicals that can migrate from packaging into food products. Ascent Chemicals offers benzophenone-free UV coatings (MGS-9955 and MGS-9912) specifically designed for food packaging applications where low migration is required. These coatings meet regulatory requirements for food-contact packaging while still delivering high-gloss finishes and excellent performance.

Ascent Chemicals’ UV coatings are formulated for application on multiple substrates including paper, paperboard, coated stocks, film, foil, and specialty substrates. Our glueable and foil-stampable coatings are specifically designed to maintain adhesion properties on coated surfaces, enabling reliable downstream converting operations like adhesive bonding and hot-foil stamping.

Yes, Ascent Chemicals provides custom manufacturing and toll manufacturing services for UV coatings. With three USA-based chemical manufacturing facilities in South Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia, Ascent can develop custom UV coating formulations to meet specific performance requirements including gloss levels, cure speeds, substrate compatibility, and regulatory compliance needs.

The UV coating curing process involves four key steps:

• Application: Liquid UV coating is applied to the printed surface via flood coating (entire surface) or spot coating (selected areas)
• UV Exposure: The coated material passes under UV lamps emitting light in the 200-400nm wavelength range
• Photopolymerization: Photoinitiators in the coating absorb UV energy and trigger rapid polymerization of oligomers and monomers
• Film Formation: Within fractions of a second, the liquid coating transforms into a hard, crosslinked protective film

This instant cure enables immediate handling and downstream processing without drying time.

Ascent Chemicals’ UV coatings deliver a range of functional properties:

• Appearance: High gloss, satin, or matte finishes for visual enhancement
• Protection: Superior scratch, scuff, and rub resistance
• Chemical Resistance: Barrier against moisture, oils, and chemicals
• Converting Compatibility: Glueable surfaces for adhesive bonding, foil-stampable for decorative finishing
• Print Receptivity: Imprintable surfaces for variable data, barcodes, and coding
• Food Safety: Benzophenone-free options for food-contact packaging

Ascent Chemicals manufactures UV coatings at three USA-based facilities:

• South Carolina: 300 International Blvd., Fountain Inn, SC 29644
• Tennessee: 4325 Old Tasso Rd, Cleveland, TN 37312
• Virginia: 1975 Old Richmond Rd, Danville, VA 24540

This domestic manufacturing capability ensures reliable supply, shorter lead times, quality control, and responsive technical support for North American customers.