Innovation in digital decoration continues with Digicol Next from Smaltochimica

The innovative Digicol Next water-based digital glues significantly reduce all the emission parameters commonly measured in environmental monitoring programmes while guaranteeing excellent application performance.

Digicol Next, the new line of water-based digital glues developed by Smaltochimica for digital ceramic decoration, combines excellent application performance with hi-tech formulations designed to protect human health and the environment. Digicol Next sparked considerable interest among industry professionals at Cersaie 2022, largely thanks to a series of ceramic surfaces displayed in the Smaltochimica booth and produced by leading Italian ceramic tile manufacturers using the new glues.

The entire ceramic production chain has undergone major changes in recent years, transforming ceramic tile into a high-value furnishing material with outstanding aesthetic impact and excellent technical performance. This revolution has largely been driven by inkjet decoration and the increasingly widespread use of digital effects and glues capable of creating complex and sophisticated material surfaces.

As one of the pioneers in the development of digital glues, Smaltochimica is deeply committed to protecting the environment through its ongoing R&D efforts and the development of innovative solutions that combine high performance with sustainability. The Next series of products allow for a significant reduction in volatile organic compounds, total organic carbon, aldehydes and odorous emissions compared to both conventional products and low-impact solvent-based digital glues (“ECO”), even when applied in large quantities (up to 90-100 g/m2).

Available in a range of different textures to meet all aesthetic requirements (from glossy to anti-light matt), the NEXT series glues display excellent definition, a good levelling action on the final texture and long drying times, allowing substantial quantities of grit to be bonded even in 3D mode.

NEXT01 and NEXT02 are approved for use with Seiko RC1536LWB printheads.