Insights into Sustainability and Innovation in Digital Printing: A Q&A with Christophe Imbert from Lubrizol

In the lead-up to the FuturePrint TECH event in Cambridge, we sat down with Christophe Imbert, Global Market Manager at Lubrizol, to discuss his journey, the company’s role in advancing sustainable solutions, and the evolving landscape of digital printing and packaging. From innovations in water-based inks to tackling sustainability challenges head-on, Christophe provides a fascinating glimpse into how Lubrizol is helping shape the future of the industry.

1. Could you tell us about your background and journey at Lubrizol? As the Global Market Manager, what drew you into this field, and what excites you most about your role in driving innovation at Lubrizol?

I hold a PhD in polymer and material chemistry from Lyon University in France. My career began in the paper industry, where I worked for several paper manufacturing companies. In 2008, I joined Lubrizol, initially as an R&D application manager. Over time, I transitioned into business and marketing roles, primarily focusing on paper, packaging, adhesives, and digital printing. Currently, as the Global Market Manager, I lead the growth of our colour dispersions product line for inkjet inks.

What drives me most in my role is a strong passion for innovation and for developing new business opportunities. I enjoy the challenges of understanding market needs, identifying new opportunities, and helping to shape solutions that not only perform but also contribute to the broader sustainability goals of the industry. I find it particularly exciting to be at the intersection of technological advancement and business development, working closely with customers to deliver solutions that drive real market impact.

2. What brings you to the FuturePrint TECH event in Cambridge? Why is this event important to Lubrizol, and what key insights are you hoping to share with the attendees?

I first attended the event last year and found it to be an exceptional platform, offering insightful conferences, valuable networking opportunities, and a great atmosphere. It has since become a must-attend event for those in the digital printing industry. For Lubrizol, this conference is not just about presence—it’s about engaging in meaningful dialogue on the future of the digital printing industry.

We aim to bring new insights drawn from our extensive experience in sustainable packaging solutions and a holistic approach—understanding the entire value chain—to develop solutions that not only meet current regulatory and market demands but also anticipate future challenges. At the conference, we plan to share how we are driving advancements in water-based ink technologies and recyclable packaging materials. By leveraging our deep expertise in chemistry and sustainability, we hope to provide attendees with practical, innovative approaches that can lead to more environmentally friendly and high-performing packaging solutions.

3. Your talk at the event will focus on ‘Sustainability in Packaging - An Holistic View and Emerging Opportunities for Water-Based Inks’. Could you give us a preview of the key themes and challenges you’ll be discussing, especially regarding the evolution of water-based inkjet technologies?

Our presentation will focus on the evolving landscape of sustainability in packaging and how it opens the doors for new opportunities in water-based inkjet printing. I will start by addressing some of the key challenges in sustainable packaging, including regulatory pressures, performances expectations, innovations in paper-based packaging and debunking some common misconceptions about what sustainability truly entails. I will then explore how these new packaging solutions are creating exciting opportunities for the adoption of water-based inkjet technologies.

Water-based inks are becoming increasingly important as packaging materials evolve, creating new possibilities for digital printing. I’ll explore how advancements in water-based ink technologies are addressing both sustainability and high-performance needs in packaging production.

Of course, I will also showcase Lubrizol’s involvement in this space, highlighting how our innovative dispersions and binders enable the use of water-based inks in sustainable, high-quality packaging solutions.

4. Lubrizol plays a crucial role in the packaging and industrial printing sectors. Can you elaborate on how Lubrizol is helping to drive advancements in digital printing, especially in areas like sustainability and performance for packaging applications?

Lubrizol is driving advancements in digital printing by focusing on both sustainability and high performance, particularly in packaging. Our water-based dispersions and binders for inkjet inks offer an environmentally friendly alternative, reducing VOC emissions while delivering excellent print quality and durability. These solutions are ideal for applications like food packaging, where recyclability and safety are paramount.

We’ve also developed recyclable paper coatings that provide crucial barrier properties, such as moisture and grease resistance. This ensures that packaging meets both performance standards and environmental goals.

At the core of our efforts is Lubrizol’s commitment to sustainability: “Lubrizol science delivers sustainable solutions to advance mobility, improve well-being, and enhance modern life.” This statement drives our holistic approach to developing innovative products, engaging with customers to meet evolving market needs, and staying ahead of regulatory trends, all while advancing the transition toward more sustainable packaging solutions in digital printing. 

5. Water-based inks are often highlighted as a game changer in the printing industry. In your experience, what are the main benefits and challenges associated with these inks, and how is Lubrizol addressing these challenges for high-speed applications?

Water-based inks offer several key benefits, particularly in terms of sustainability. They are seen as a greener, environmentally friendly option due to their low VOC emissions and reduced environmental impact. Additionally, they are less harmful and more suitable for food contact applications, meeting regulatory compliance standards, and they tend to be more cost-effective compared to UV-based inks.

However, these inks also come with challenges, especially when used on non-porous substrates. Water-based formulations can require longer drying times and may cause downtime due to ink drying in nozzles. Additionally, they often require primers or overprint varnishes (OPVs) to achieve the desired performance on difficult substrates.

Lubrizol addresses these challenges through our High Solids Dispersion (HSD) technology, which provides a cost-effective solution that facilitates the transition to inkjet printing. HSD technology improves ink open time by creating a more stable dispersion, making it less prone to nozzle blockages and enabling faster print speeds with reduced downtime. It also offers more formulating flexibility, making it easier to achieve the necessary stability and performance for high-speed applications.

In addition to dispersions, Lubrizol offers binders, such as Lubrijet, that are specifically designed to enhance printability on challenging substrates. With our years of experience in the packaging industry, these binders make it possible to use water-based inks on non-porous materials, overcoming one of the biggest hurdles in adopting sustainable inkjet solutions for packaging.

6. Looking ahead, what are the major trends you see shaping the future of digital print and packaging? How is Lubrizol positioning itself to take advantage of these trends?

The future of digital print and packaging is being driven by the demand for more sustainable solutions, particularly the reduction of plastic usage. There is a growing focus on developing inks that incorporate a higher percentage of renewable raw materials, and at Lubrizol, we are continuously exploring and advancing polymer technologies to meet these needs. We are also working on solutions for inks and primers that can be de-inked and recycled more easily, contributing to more efficient recycling processes and a circular economy.

Another key trend is the customization of packaging to target specific audiences, which is becoming increasingly important as brands look to differentiate themselves in the market. Digital printing enables this by allowing for smaller, more personalized print runs, making packaging more relevant and responsive to consumer needs.

Moreover, digital inkjet printing is uniquely positioned to support these evolving trends by offering greater flexibility and reducing waste compared to traditional methods. It allows for on-demand production, which minimizes overproduction and inventory waste, and reduces the environmental footprint of packaging. As the industry shifts toward smarter, more agile production processes, digital print will play an essential role in creating more efficient and sustainable supply chains.

7. The print industry is evolving rapidly with a shift toward more sustainable practices. How do you see Lubrizol’s innovations contributing to this shift, and what role does sustainability play in your product development strategy?

The ink industry is undergoing a significant transformation, driven by the need for sustainable, non-toxic, and recyclable solutions. Lubrizol has been at the forefront of this evolution, with a long-standing commitment to developing environmentally responsible products. We have actively worked to eliminate toxic materials from our formulations, aligning our offerings with EU environmental regulations and broader sustainability goals.

One of our key contributions to this shift is the development of high-performance water-based dispersants and dispersions. These innovations not only reduce harmful VOC emissions but also support the recyclability of printed materials, making them a critical component in the transition toward more sustainable printing practices. Water-based solutions are particularly important in packaging applications, where performance and environmental responsibility must go hand in hand.

In addition to our focus on product innovation, Lubrizol is committed to sustainable practices across our operations. We prioritize the sourcing of bio-based raw materials and continually work to improve the energy efficiency of our manufacturing processes, reducing our overall environmental footprint. These efforts are part of our holistic approach to sustainability, as detailed in our latest Sustainability Report, which outlines our initiatives and progress.

Through our ongoing commitment to innovation and sustainability, Lubrizol is helping to lead the print industry’s transition toward greener, more sustainable technologies, offering solutions that not only meet current regulatory requirements but also anticipate future environmental challenges.

To see Christophe in action in Cambridge you can book your place by clicking the link below: