The packaging and board sector a highly specialized section of the paper industry has a great demand for the dyestuffs. This increasing demand is backed by the replacement of traditional basic dyestuffs with highly advanced and modified basic and direct dyes. Traditional Basic dyes enjoyed an unrivalled position for a considerable number of years due to a lot of factors, important among them are high colour strength, acceptable properties and a more or less modest pricing. But over the years, other dye types, that includes the Direct dyes have tilted the scale of economy in its favour as the perfect choice in the packaging sector.

When it comes to packaging grades the choice of dyes narrows down to three broad categories namely Basic dyes, Modified Basic dyes and Anionic direct dyes. However, a very vital point to note here is that the selection of the dye types cannot be done in isolation only. Other points like if the end product is to be added to a size-press or in the wet-end (stock addition) must be thoroughly considered. Given here are few of the criterias that are applied while considering the type of dye to be used.

• Hue and depth of target shade
• Necessary technical properties like lightfastness
• Base colours and types of the furnish
• Laws governing environment
• Cost factors

The following table highlights the comparative advantages, disadvantages of the three types of dyes used in the packaging sector namely Basic dyes, Modified Basic dyes and Aninic Direct Dyes.

The dyes find application in the following popular packaging sector:

• Newsprints
• Sacks
• Egg boxes
• Carton board
• Fibre board
• Kraftliner
• Cationic size press formulations
• Anionic size press formulations