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As UV LED technology continues to replace conventional mercury lamp curing, formulators face the challenge of achieving efficient surface and through-cure using light sources with significantly narrower emission spectra.

Our updated lab report, "Raw Material Selection for UV LED Systems", provides practical formulation guidance and benchmark data on the performance of selected photoinitiators, oligomers, and monomers under 395 nm UV LED curing conditions.

Key Topics Covered

• Photoinitiator selection for UV LED wavelengths
• Influence of oligomers and monomers on cure performance
• Reactivity and curing efficiency
• Surface cure and through-cure considerations
• Practical formulation recommendations

Key Findings

• Photoinitiator selection remains critical, with significant differences observed among phosphine oxide, thioxanthone, and sensitized systems.
• Oligomer structure strongly influences UV LED reactivity, with amine-modified and highly functional oligomers delivering superior cure performance.
• Higher monomer functionality does not always result in better through-cure, particularly in thicker pigmented films.
• Increased ethoxylation can enhance UV LED reactivity while maintaining manageable viscosity.
• Film thickness plays a significant role in determining optimal raw material selection.

The report is designed to support formulators and product developers working on UV LED inks, coatings, adhesives, overprint varnishes, and additive manufacturing materials. 

Download the full report from our website and discover how raw material architecture influences reactivity, viscosity, surface cure, and through-cure in modern UV LED formulations.

GENOPOL* BP-5 is a high-performance polymeric benzophenone photoinitiator developed for UV-curable inks, coatings and varnishes where low migration and low odor are essential. Thanks to its high molecular weight and excellent curing efficiency, it is particularly useful as a replacement for low molecular weight benzophenone types.

Key Benefits at a Glance

• High-efficiency polymeric benzophenone photoinitiator
• Extremely low migration due to high molecular weight (Mw/GPC ~2200) and high purity
• Low odor
• Reduced oxygen inhibition

Bound within cured networks, GENOPOL* BP-5 helps formulators achieve low migration without sacrificing cure speed or efficiency.  

Application Areas  

GENOPOL* BP-5 is ideally suited for: 

• Offset inks and varnishes
• Flexo inks and varnishes
• Screen printing inks and varnishes
• UV coatings and adhesives

GENOPOL* BP-5 aligns with key industry listings, including Swiss Ordinance, German Printing Ink Ordinance (GIO), EuPIA suitability list and Nestlé Guidance. 

Ready to explore the benefits of GENOPOL* BP-5?  

Many UV/EB applications specifically require low viscosity products that, unlike many reactive diluents, also contribute to overall performance after cure. When low viscosity can be combined with high cure speeds, particularly under LED curing, as well as good over-all resistance properties, a broad range of formulator needs can be addressed. RAHN’s range of polyether acrylates has proven to be of excellent value in a wide array of applications. 

Let's highlight GENOMER* 3364, GENOMER* 3365, GENOMER* 3414, GENOMER* 3430, GENOMER* 3457, GENOMER* 3497, and GENOMER* 3498.

Key Products at a Glance

• GENOMER* 3364 – High reactivity, low viscosity, good solvent resistance.
• GENOMER* 3365 – <0,1% TMPTA, high reactivity, low viscosity, good solvent resistance.
• GENOMER* 3414 – High reactivity, low viscosity, good solvent and scratch resistance, flexibility and adhesion, low Tg.
• GENOMER* 3430 - High reactivity in LED formulations, good flexibility, low yellowing, good adhesion.
• GENOMER* 3457 - High reactivity, high hardness, chemical resistance and adhesion.
• GENOMER* 3497 – High reactivity, low viscosity, good solvent resistance. 
• GENOMER* 3498 – High reactivity, low viscosity, good solvent resistance, <0.1% TMPTA.

Why Choose GENOMER* Polyether Acrylates? GENOMER* polyether acrylates are characterized by high reactivity and low viscosity, combined with good solvent, scratch and abrasion resistance, moderate to high hardness, low odor and high gloss.

Achieving consistent, high-quality results in photoresin 3D printing starts with one key factor: calibration. Our newly published article, "3D Printing Calibration – The Essential Guide to Calibration Templates", shows how to fine-tune your printing process for optimal accuracy, resolution, surface quality, and part performance. 

Discover how a dedicated calibration template - featuring pin-and-hole arrays, overhangs, and fine details - helps translate printer settings into measurable results and enables fast, reliable optimization. 

Explore the full guide and download the calibration template here

We are proud to announce the release of our brand-new Sustainability Report, reflecting our commitment to responsible business practices and a sustainable future. This comprehensive report provides insights into our environmental, social, and governance initiatives and outlines the progress we have made toward our long-term sustainability goals.

Transparency and accountability are at the heart of our approach. By continuously reducing our environmental footprint and fostering ethical partnerships, we aim to deliver value not only to our customers but also to society and the environment.

Explore the full Sustainability Report now and learn how we are shaping a greener tomorrow

A new clinical study shows that HAIRVIVINE^®-PRO can deliver notable performance even in short contact applications such as shampoos. Powered by bioactive pumpkin seed extract (Cucurbita pepo), the active supports visible improvements in hair density, helps reduce hair shedding, and contributes to a balanced hair cycle.

These findings highlight the strong performance potential of rinse-off formulations making everyday cleansing compatible with clinically demonstrated benefits.

Discover the study here

We are excited to announce the launch of GENOMER* 4236, a next generation difunctional aliphatic urethane acrylate designed to deliver exceptional performance across a wide range of radiation curable applications.

Crafted for formulators seeking flexibility, durability, and reliable adhesion, GENOMER* 4236 sets a new benchmark for high performance coatings and inks.

Why GENOMER* 4236 stands out

• Excellent outdoor resistance – formulated to withstand demanding environmental exposure, making it ideal for long lasting topcoats.
• Outstanding flexibility – achieve smooth, crack free results - even on challenging substrates or bending applications.
• Good adhesion, especially on metal – GENOMER* 4236 enhances adhesion performance and enables low T bend values in coil coating systems when combined with flexible monomers.
• Low yellowing – Maintains color and gloss for pigmented and clearcoat systems.
• High impact resistance – perfect for applications where mechanical strength and durability matter.

Key Technical Highlights

• Functionality: 2
• Viscosity (60 °C): ~18,000 mPa·s
• Color Index: ~50 APHA
• Tg: 24 °C
• Shore Hardness: D78
• Elongation at Break: 30%

These mechanical and optical characteristics make it a versatile building block for UV curable high end formulations.

The perfect balance of toughness and flexibility.
Introducing our tin-free, difunctional urethane methacrylate oligomer, designed for free-radical curable formulations. Or to simply quote our 3D Printing Specialist Aymeric Champion, 'The GOAT - The Greatest Of All Time.'  

• 3D Printing – robust, thermoplastic-like parts
• Dental Applications – low water uptake, precision performance
• Optically Clear Coatings – minimal yellowing
• Adhesives – improved adhesion

Key Facts

• Glass Transition (Tg): 35°C
• Elongation: 36% 
• Shore Hardness: D41 / A93 
• Low shrinkage & excellent rebound properties

Added Value:

• Flexibilizes hard systems without compromising HDT
• High impact resistance and toughness
• Perfect for tough industrial parts in 3D printing

The foundation of high-performance energy-curing formulations lies in the smart selection of key components - oligomers, monomers, and photoinitiators. Among these, oligomers are the true game-changers, defining critical properties such as cure speed, film formation, flexibility, hardness, adhesion, and chemical resistance.

At RAHN, we’ve taken a deep dive into oligomer performance with our updated Oligomer Screening Lab Report. This comprehensive study benchmarks a wide range of oligomer types under consistent conditions, providing formulators with clear, reproducible insights into how each oligomer influences UV/EB/LED formulations across applications like coatings, inks, adhesives, 3D printing, and composites.

What’s Inside the Report?
Our screening approach evaluates key properties side by side:

• Reactivity – Cure speed under UV conditions
• Hardness & Flexibility – Balancing rigidity and elasticity
• Chemical Resistance – Durability against solvents
• Yellowing & Outdoor Durability – Long-term stability
• Viscosity – Processing and formulation ease

Key Highlights for Formulators

• GENOMER* 2263 & 2252 – Top performers for reactivity and hardness, ideal for scratch-resistant coatings.
• GENOMER* 4302 – Combines fast cure, hardness, and outdoor durability, perfect for demanding environments.
• GENOMER* 2253 – Delivers fast cure with flexibility, a rare combination for label inks and flexible coatings.
• GENOMER* 4281 – Strikes an exceptional balance between hardness and flexibility, reducing brittleness risks.
• GENOMER* 3414 – Low TG, but high reactivity and flexibility.

Our data-driven insights help you avoid common pitfalls like brittleness, yellowing, or poor surface cure - empowering you to tailor formulations for speed, durability, or flexibility.

Why This Matters
Not all urethane acrylates are soft and flexible. Not all epoxy acrylates are hard and brittle. Every oligomer has its own unique performance profile – and understanding these differences is the key to smarter formulations.