In-Depth Analysis of Water-Based Ink Defoaming Challenges and Chemi Tech's Efficient Solutions

In today's printing industry, which pursues efficiency and quality, water-based inks are increasingly applied due to their environmental benefits. However, accompanying foam problems have become a hidden obstacle in many production processes. These stubborn bubbles not only cause volume expansion and overflow losses during ink production and storage but also trigger a chain reaction during high-speed printing: missing dots, incomplete pattern printing, uneven color transfer, ultimately severely affecting the visual presentation and commercial value of printed materials. Traditional methods like simple stirring or adding general-purpose additives often only address symptoms temporarily and may even introduce new compatibility issues.

Addressing this common industry pain point, the Chemi Tech team, leveraging deep understanding of surface chemistry, has developed a series of high-efficiency defoamers specifically for water-based inks. Our solution is not merely the simple addition of a single product but a systematic process. The first step is precise diagnosis, analyzing the ink's resin system, pigment type, PH value, and production process to identify the root cause of foam generation. The second step is solution matching. Chemi Tech offers multiple defoamer models, including rapid bubble-breaking types and long-lasting foam suppression types, allowing precise selection and compounding for different scenarios such as production, in-tank storage, and high-speed printing. The third step is verification and optimization, conducting small-scale and pilot tests at the customer's site to ensure the defoamer can quickly eliminate foam at very low addition levels (typically 0.1%-0.5%) while maintaining system stability long-term without affecting ink gloss, adhesion, or recoatability.

We once assisted a label printing company in East China to resolve their challenge. The company experienced persistent generation of fine foam in the ink fountain during high-speed rotary printing with a certain water-based ink, leading to frequent white spots and broken lines in printed patterns, resulting in a high reject rate. After an on-site inspection by Chemi Tech technicians, a specially formulated silicone-polyether compound defoamer, KM-203, was recommended. After adding a 0.3% dosage and fine-tuning the process, foam in the ink fountain dissipated rapidly within a short time. During a continuous 12-hour high-intensity printing test, foam did not recur. The printed patterns became clear and complete, with significantly improved color saturation. The customer's production efficiency and product pass rate achieved tangible improvement.

Choosing Chemi Tech means opting for deep insight and reliable solving capability for complex foam problems. We are committed to translating advanced chemical technology into calm and efficiency on our customers' production lines, helping every printed piece achieve perfect presentation.