42 www.signlink.co.uk Issue 247 - June / July 2023 developed initially for horticultural labelling application, it is highly effective in challenging outdoor and wet conditions. The latest extension to the Exten range is the Visual UV HMPP grades. Neale says that these materials are suitable replacements for a host of other rigid plastics for indoor and outdoor applications. “HMPP is a modified blend containing mineral filler to add rigidity,” he says, adding: “The rigidity likens the material to the stiffness of Rigid PVC and HIPS, whilst retaining all the sustainable benefits associated with polypropylene, which has a lower carbon footprint as well as being 100% recyclable. “The HMPP grades are a good substitute for PVC, and even foam products for indoor and outdoor signs. Most health and safety signage applications are an obvious area where HMPP could be utilised. “Our strategy is to continue to add polypropylene-based materials to our range in order that we drive wider use of this polymer type. The existing Antalis brands of Priplak, Exten, Triaprint, Correx, Biprint, and Yupo can all be recycled together. More customers and more applications taking up the use of Polypropylene materials, will help drive the industry toward widespread recycling.” Desirable Results Switching to another angle, printer manufacturer swissQprint says its machines can handle a whole host of rigid substrates, making them a solid choice for sign-makers taking on certain types of work. Stephen Pridham, sales manager of swissQprint, says there are two equally important sides to the equation, and that choosing a quality direct-to-substrate printer from the outset is just as important as the choice of the correct, quality rigid substrate. “An informed combination of these two considerations will give the best chance of regularly achieving the desired result,” Pridham says, adding: “At swissQprint, our range of printers have been specifically designed and engineered to work with an ever-broadening array of substrates to meet the growing needs of PSPs. “However, even with the correct equipment, failures during printing can still occur, and are often down to incorrect media choice, or handling. To reduce these occurrences, the key characteristics that a quality rigid substrate should demonstrate include good lay flatness, an even ▲ Perspex says there are a number of important qualities sign-makers should look for in rigid sheets based on their end applications across all five PDL branches, Martyn says PERSPEXre meets the growing demand from sign-makers, printers, and end-users for recycled substrates with a long lifespan. “PERSPEXre is manufactured using 100% recycled methyl methacrylate (rMMA), obtained from Perspex acrylic sheet and production waste,” Martyn says, adding: “This waste is depolymerised using various techniques including a distillation process which recovers methyl methacrylate (MMA), turning this waste back into its original monomer regardless of original colour or aesthetic effect. “Importantly for sign-makers, the material is produced to the same standards as virgin Perspex acrylic, including a ten-year external warranty, meaning the material is not only 100% recycled but also offers a longevity that greatly decreases the impact of needing to regularly replace the material.” Looking at current demand, Martyn was keen to highlight the range of bright and vibrant colours available in the Perspex acrylic portfolio. For example, the Perspex Sweet Pastels collection of eight vibrant pastel colours is available now from PDL. “We also offer a bespoke colour matching service where new Perspex acrylic colours can be produced based on a pantone reference or colour sample,” Martyn says, adding: “Our Colour Matching lab can also produce colours depending on various factors including light transmissions, illumination source, and surface finish such as gloss or matt.” Sustainability is Key Elsewhere, Antalis provides a wide range of materials for use across a whole host of projects in both the print and signage sectors. Paul Neale, visual communication product manager at Antalis, ▼ Antalis’s Exten Opaque was showcased at Sign & Digital UK by swissQprint says sign-makers should be looking for innovation to help differentiate their offer from suppliers that lead the way with new product introductions. “Rigid substrates need to perform for a range of applications, indoor and outdoor, and be as sustainable as they can be,” Neale says, adding: “A recent Antalis development was the new Exten Opaque Polypropylene range, including HMPP. We see Exten Opaque PP as the ideal replacement for other materials such as PVC and HIPS. “The newest range of opaque grades is an improved shade of white and retains between 98-100% opacity for two-sided printing by way of UV litho, screen, and digital inkjet. Large-format sheet sizes, in a range of thicknesses from thin gauge 220µ up to 850µ, make it a great choice for many types of application.” A unique feature of the Exten range, Neale says, is the Prime-Ex coating applied during extrusion. Prime-Ex not only extends the shelf-life of PP to 12 months, but also improves ink adhesion. Having been of Perspex Distribution products are made in the UK 80% MARKET TRENDS / RIGID SUBSTRATES
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