The past few decades have seen the emergence and use of ultraviolet (UV) light cured polymers across a range of industries and applications. UV cured polymers have proven their value in applications such as printing inks, adhesives, and protective coatings among others.
One of the first industries to accept and utilize UV curing polymers was the printing industry. Existing technology was mainly polymers and inks dissolved or suspended in highly flammable and hazardous solvents such as Toluene and Xylene. UV curable inks and coatings were ideally suited for this industry. Their nearly immediate curing allowed for high speeds, and their 100% solids composition often eliminated the need for pollution and fire control technology.