In the printing and flexible food packaging industries, powder performance is critical. Whether you’re preventing set-off in a high-speed offset press or protecting freshly printed flexible film before slitting and conversion, the quality and composition of your anti-set-off or barrier powder makes all the difference.
At Archem PRS, we specialise in starch-based powder technologies engineered for high efficiency, low dust, and consistent application — helping our customers improve output quality, reduce waste, and maintain clean, compliant manufacturing environments.
Precision Matters: Why Particle Size Classification Is Critical
For the printing industry, inconsistent or oversized particles can lead to uneven distribution, over-spraying, and set-off between sheets — especially on fast commercial runs or heavier board stocks.
In flexible food packaging, using the wrong particle type can result in poor barrier formation, static issues, and blocking during rewinding. These problems are often solved by increasing machine settings, which leads to higher powder consumption and potential contamination.
Archem PRS powders are engineered to avoid these problems, with controlled particle ranges tailored to specific substrates and applications. The result?
- Reduced overspray
- Cleaner finishes
- Fewer adjustments during production
Less Dust. More Control.
Not all powders are created equal. Many competitor products contain up to 33% “fines” — dust particles under 10 microns that don’t make it to the substrate. Instead, they end up:
- Inside your machines
- In your motors and moving parts
- And most concerning — in the air you breathe
This is a serious issue for printroom safety and equipment longevity, as well as for food-grade compliance in packaging lines.Archem PRS powders contain less than 3% dust, are BG approved for low dust emission, and help you maintain a cleaner, more efficient factory environment.
One Size Doesn’t Fit All
Getting the right result starts with the right grade. In print, that means larger particles for board and finer ones for commercial sheetfed. For flexible food packaging, it means electrostatic powders that resist compaction and lay down smoothly.
Unlike single-starch commodity powders, Archem formulations are precision-engineered to reduce waste, minimise dust, and deliver consistent value.
Certified Safe, Globally Compliant
Across print and food packaging, Archem customers need absolute confidence in the quality and safety of the products they use. That’s why Archem powders are:
✅ ISO 9001 certified
✅ BRC Packaging AA rated
✅ BG approved for low dust emission
✅ ISEGA food contact safe
✅ Halaal and Kosher certified, including Kosher for Passover
✅ GMO-free and Gluten-free
Whether you’re working with converters, brand owners, or global FMCG clients, our powders help you meet the strictest hygiene, safety, and export requirements.
The Archem Difference: Precision Powders, Proven Performance
At Archem, it’s not just about what you print or pack — it’s how well you do it. When your powder performs, your operations run cleaner and more efficiently, batch consistency improves, and costly nozzle blockages and downtime are avoided. Most importantly, you deliver a superior end product — smoother to the touch, safer to handle or consume, and aligned with your quality promise.
Every Archem powder is formulated using high-grade starches and bespoke flow agents, then quality checked at five critical stages — from raw material intake through to final packaging.
Not sure which grade suits your application? Whether you’re producing high-quality printed materials, manufacturing flexible food packaging or any other industry application, we’re here to guide you. We offer free consultations to help you select the right anti-set-off or barrier powder for your needs.
Get in touch or explore the full product range.
