Trends in the wide web converting markets for UV curing

As we prepare to enter a new decade, the use of ultraviolet (UV) energy to initiate the polymerization of coatings in the wide web segment of the Converting industry continues to increase. As is typical in the Converting industry, while many of the significant advances in technology have been developed around the world, they have been driven initially by the Western European markets. This was true with regards to the introduction of water-borne Pressure Sensitive Adhesives and thermal curing 100% solids silicone release coatings during the late 1970s and early 1980s, but this trend has changed with regards to the current state-of-the-art in UV curing