Bio-Based Innovation Wins Gold for Flint Group at FIA UK Awards

Award-winning bio-renewable ink cuts packaging emissions by 25%

Flint Group Packaging Solutions won gold at the 2026 FIA UK Awards for its TerraCode Bio ink system. The product took the Technical Innovation (Supplier) category. Judges recognised the formulation for delivering measurable carbon reductions without compromising press performance.

The inks are made from up to 90% bio-renewable and recycled materials. According to Flint Group, the system achieves CO₂ reductions of up to 25% compared to conventional water-based inks. For packaging printers, this represents a significant emission cut without retooling or accepting lower output quality.

The award was presented on 11 June 2026 at the FIA UK Awards ceremony in Liverpool. The UK Flexographic Industry Association hosts the annual event. This year’s recognition places TerraCode Bio alongside other technical advances in flexible packaging production.

Bio-based inks move from niche to mainstream production

TerraCode Bio is engineered to match the performance characteristics of standard water-based inks. Flint Group says the formulation maintains high press speeds with no drop in print quality. For converters, this means switching to bio-renewable inputs does not require slower production runs or additional quality checks.

The judging panel evaluated both environmental impact and technical capability. This dual focus reflects growing pressure on packaging suppliers to prove sustainability claims with measurable data. Marketing-led environmental messaging is no longer sufficient. Buyers increasingly want verified performance alongside carbon metrics.

Bio-renewable content is derived from plant-based materials rather than fossil feedstocks. Recycled materials form the remainder of the formulation. Together, these inputs account for up to 90% of the product by weight. The remaining 10% consists of functional additives required for ink stability and adhesion.

Water-based inks already offer lower volatile organic compound emissions than solvent-based alternatives. However, conventional water-based systems still rely on petrochemical resins and binders. TerraCode Bio replaces most of these fossil-derived components with renewable equivalents.

Carbon reductions matter for supply chain compliance

A 25% CO₂ reduction per kilo of ink has direct implications for packaging manufacturers. Many face pressure from brand owners to cut Scope 3 emissions. Inks and coatings form part of that calculation. Switching to bio-renewable formulations reduces the carbon intensity of printed packaging without changing equipment or production processes.

This matters particularly for businesses supplying retailers or fast-moving consumer goods companies. Many major brands now require suppliers to report emissions data and demonstrate year-on-year reductions. Procurement teams increasingly use carbon performance as a tender evaluation criterion alongside cost and quality.

For small and medium-sized converters, meeting these requirements can be challenging. Capital investment in new presses or dryers is expensive. Switching to lower-carbon consumables offers a faster route to verified emission cuts. Products like TerraCode Bio provide documented reductions that feed directly into carbon reporting frameworks.

The FIA UK Awards judging process includes technical assessment by industry specialists. Winning gold in the Technical Innovation category therefore provides third-party validation. This carries weight with buyers who need assurance that bio-renewable alternatives perform as claimed under production conditions.

Flint Group indicated that TerraCode Bio is already being used across Europe. Adoption by multiple converters suggests the product has moved beyond pilot testing. For printers evaluating bio-renewable options, this installed base reduces perceived risk. Established use in commercial production environments demonstrates reliability at scale.

What the development means for UK packaging businesses

UK flexible packaging converters face overlapping pressures. Extended producer responsibility rules increase the cost of non-recyclable materials. Plastic packaging tax adds £200 per tonne for content below 30% recycled plastic. Meanwhile, brand owners demand lower supply chain emissions. These factors combine to make bio-renewable consumables financially relevant, not just environmentally preferable.

Water-based inks dominate flexible packaging for food applications. Consequently, emission reductions in this category affect a large volume of production. A converter running multiple presses could cut several tonnes of CO₂ annually by switching to bio-renewable formulations. Those reductions appear in Scope 1 and Scope 2 inventories depending on how carbon accounting boundaries are drawn.

Performance equivalence is critical. Converters operate on tight margins. Any ink that requires slower speeds, additional passes, or extra quality control adds cost. Therefore, the TerraCode Bio claim of matching conventional press performance is commercially significant. It suggests bio-renewable alternatives are no longer a compromise on throughput or output quality.

The award also signals broader industry momentum. Flexographic printing serves high-volume packaging markets where consistency matters. Recognition from the UK Flexographic Industry Association indicates that bio-based formulations are credible options for demanding applications, not experimental products confined to low-volume or artisanal printing.

For businesses developing sustainability strategies, the trend has implications. Material substitution is often easier to implement than process redesign. Switching to bio-renewable inks requires supplier coordination but avoids capital expenditure. Consequently, it offers a practical early step for converters seeking measurable emission reductions while maintaining production efficiency.

Key facts about the TerraCode Bio award and product

• Flint Group Packaging Solutions won gold in the Technical Innovation (Supplier) category at the 2026 FIA UK Awards on 11 June 2026.
• TerraCode Bio inks contain up to 90% bio-renewable and recycled materials, replacing fossil-derived components in conventional water-based formulations.
• The product delivers CO₂ reductions of up to 25% compared to standard water-based inks used in flexible packaging.
• Flint Group says the formulation maintains high press speeds and print quality, requiring no changes to equipment or production workflows.
• The UK Flexographic Industry Association hosts the FIA UK Awards, with judging criteria covering both environmental impact and technical performance.
• TerraCode Bio is already in commercial use across Europe, indicating adoption beyond pilot testing by multiple converters.

Bio-renewable consumables fit wider packaging emission strategies

Material substitution addresses one part of packaging sustainability. However, it works best as part of a broader approach. Converters also need to consider energy use, waste streams, and transport emissions. For many businesses, tackling consumables like inks sits alongside other measures such as renewable electricity contracts or logistics optimisation.

Carbon reporting frameworks treat different emission sources separately. Inks fall under purchased goods and services, which is a Scope 3 category. Therefore, reductions achieved through bio-renewable formulations improve supply chain emissions. This matters for businesses that need to demonstrate progress across all scope categories, not just direct operations.

The TerraCode Bio carbon reduction figure of 25% is based on lifecycle assessment. This methodology accounts for emissions from raw material extraction, processing, transport, and use. Consequently, the stated reduction includes upstream impacts, not just combustion emissions. For businesses reporting under standards like the Greenhouse Gas Protocol, lifecycle data provides the basis for Scope 3 calculations.

Adoption of bio-renewable inks may also influence recyclability. Water-based systems generally support easier deinking compared to solvent-based alternatives. Bio-renewable content does not inherently improve or worsen recyclability, but it aligns with circular economy principles by reducing reliance on virgin fossil resources. This matters for packaging subject to extended producer responsibility fees, where material composition affects cost.

Industry awards like the FIA UK Technical Innovation prize highlight commercially viable solutions. They differ from experimental research or concept-stage products. Gold in a supplier category indicates the technology is ready for procurement decisions. For businesses evaluating bio-renewable options, this removes some of the uncertainty associated with early-stage innovations.

Considerations for printers and converters assessing bio-renewable inks

Switching to bio-renewable formulations requires coordination with ink suppliers. Printers need technical data sheets, compatibility testing, and carbon reduction documentation. Most will want to run trials before committing to full-scale adoption. Consequently, lead times for material changes can extend several months depending on press schedules and product portfolios.

Cost is another factor. Bio-renewable inks may carry a price premium compared to conventional alternatives. However, this needs to be weighed against carbon reporting benefits and customer requirements. For businesses tendering for contracts with sustainability criteria, the investment may be justified by improved competitiveness. Procurement teams increasingly score bids on emission performance, not just unit price.

Our net-zero program for carbon reporting compliance helps businesses quantify emission reductions from material substitutions. We calculate lifecycle impacts and integrate them into Scope 3 inventories. This provides the documented evidence needed for customer reporting and tender submissions.

Technical performance claims need verification. Converters should request sample runs and independent test results. Press speed, colour consistency, and adhesion characteristics all matter for production efficiency. Products that meet environmental criteria but underperform on quality or throughput ultimately increase costs through waste and downtime.

Bio-renewable content percentages vary between products. Some formulations contain 50% bio-based materials, others exceed 80%. Higher percentages generally deliver greater carbon reductions but may affect performance or cost. Therefore, converters need to evaluate trade-offs based on specific applications and customer requirements.

Industry validation through awards and peer adoption reduces risk. However, it does not eliminate the need for due diligence. Each converter operates different presses, substrates, and production workflows. What works reliably in one environment may require adjustment elsewhere. Consequently, supplier support during transition is critical for successful implementation.

Further information and guidance

The UK government provides guidance on plastic packaging tax, which affects material choices for many converters. The British Printing Industries Federation offers sector-specific resources on sustainability and regulatory compliance. Additionally, the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants publishes frameworks for evaluating the financial impact of material substitutions and carbon reduction investments. For businesses needing support with ESG compliance and carbon reporting, we provide practical tools and advisory services tailored to UK SMEs.