Celanese and Siegwerk collaborate to use 50% bio-based ethyl acetate in printing inks, reducing fossil dependency while maintaining performance.
Celanese, a leading global producer of specialty materials and chemical solutions, has entered into a strategic collaboration with Siegwerk, one of the world's foremost manufacturers of printing inks and coatings for packaging and labeling applications, to advance sustainability within the printing ink value chain. Through this partnership, both companies aim to introduce more environmentally responsible solutions by integrating bio-based ethyl acetate produced by Celanese into printing ink formulations.
The bio-based ethyl acetate supplied by Celanese contains 50% renewable bio-based content, representing a significant step toward reducing dependence on fossil-derived raw materials traditionally used in solvent production. By replacing a portion of conventional feedstocks with renewable alternatives, the solution supports efforts to lower the environmental impact associated with printing ink manufacturing while maintaining the high-quality performance standards required by the industry.
Siegwerk has incorporated this bio-based ethyl acetate as a direct replacement, or drop-in solution, within its existing ink formulations. This approach enables the company to develop more sustainable ink products without requiring modifications to established manufacturing processes, equipment, or production methods. As a result, customers can benefit from improved sustainability attributes without experiencing changes in product quality, reliability, or application performance.
The collaboration aligns closely with Siegwerk’s broader sustainability objectives under its SustainUP program, a global initiative focused on responsible sourcing and sustainable procurement. SustainUP serves as a central component of Siegwerk’s HorizonNOW 2030 strategy, which outlines the company’s long-term commitment to integrating sustainability across its operations, products, and supply chain. Through the adoption of bio-based ethyl acetate, Siegwerk aims to increase the utilization of renewable raw materials in a practical, scalable, and responsible manner.
According to Cathleen Hansohm, Global Supplier Sustainability Manager at Siegwerk, the partnership with Celanese represents an important milestone in achieving the company’s sustainability ambitions. She emphasized that incorporating a solvent containing 50% bio-based content supports Siegwerk’s objective of expanding renewable feedstocks across its product portfolio while ensuring that the transition remains commercially viable and capable of being implemented at a larger industrial scale.
Celanese also highlighted the importance of strong partnerships across the value chain in accelerating the transition toward more sustainable industrial solutions. Kevin Norfleet, Senior Director of Sustainability at Celanese, stated that collaborative efforts are essential for delivering meaningful environmental progress. By working together with Siegwerk, Celanese is helping create solutions that decrease reliance on finite fossil resources while continuing to meet the strict performance requirements necessary for demanding applications such as high-quality printing inks.
The partnership demonstrates how cooperation between material producers and ink manufacturers can play a crucial role in advancing sustainable packaging solutions. By combining innovative bio-based materials with existing manufacturing technologies, the companies are creating practical pathways for reducing the environmental footprint of packaging without compromising efficiency or product effectiveness.
As sustainability expectations continue to rise across the packaging industry, initiatives such as this collaboration illustrate the growing importance of renewable feedstocks, responsible procurement, and value-chain cooperation. The successful implementation of bio-based ethyl acetate in commercial ink formulations highlights how scalable, performance-driven innovations can support the industry's transition toward a more circular and resource-efficient future.
