Historically, UV-curable formulations have relied on petrochemical-derived components to produce monomers, oligomers, and photoinitiators. While these non-renewable chemicals have played a key role in the industry for many years, there is a rapid shift towards sustainability. This transition is driving innovation for biobased alternatives and energy-efficient curing methods.   New for 2025, Anstar's portfolio includes biobased UV-curing raw materials offering up to 73% bio-content with our product ES-1101  Modified Soybean Acrylate. Other new technology includes biobased polyurethane acrylates and polyether urethane speciality oligomers offering up to 6 functionality and low viscosities. Anstar also offers biobased BPA-free alternatives to BPA epoxy acrylate.   The key areas of research explored by Anstar and collaborations with academic and industry partners include:   Plant-Derived Oils:  Acrylates from soybean and castor oil now replace conventional monomers in resin formulations. Lignin-Derived:  Lignin-based monomers and oligomers enhance biodegradability and support environmental efforts. Carbohydrate-Based Oligomers:  Glucose and cellulose-based oligomers offer a renewable foundation for UV-curable resins.   Although UV technology already offers a more sustainable option, incorporating biobased materials further reduces reliance on petrochemicals, improving the environmental profile of cured products. These areas of research have helped Anstar develop many new products for 2025 and more will be added in the near future. Our bio-sourced acrylates are leading the way for sustainability in the market.   The key areas driving innovation in biobased ingredients in UV-curing technology include:   Market Demand:  Consumers and businesses are increasingly demanding products with a lower environmental impact, pushing manufacturers to adopt greener technologies. Environmental Regulations:  Stricter European policies are limiting the release of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and hazardous air pollutants, leading industries to seek eco-friendly alternatives. Renewable Innovation:  The development of biobased materials, derived from new renewable sources such as plant oils and lignin, provides sustainable substitutes for traditional petrochemical ingredients, with biobased products approaching parity on price and performance.   Anstar is committed to the future of biobased UV-curing and is continually developing next-generation ingredients for coatings, adhesives, and inks. The company is also pioneering advancements in biobased hyperbranched oligomers, ensuring high performance with reduced environmental impact. Through collaborations with academic and industry partners, Anstar is accelerating the commercialisation of these solutions, helping product formulators transition to more sustainable UV-curing technologies.   Future-proof your business with cutting-edge, sustainable, bio-based UV-curable solutions. For more information on our bio-based products contact us via info@anstar.com Farmers on a combine harvester, harvesting soybean crop, which produces a waste stream to generate bio-based chemicals.

The European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) has recently classified diphenyl (2,4,6-trimethylbenzoyl) phosphine oxide (TPO) as a substance of very high concern, meaning its use will soon be restricted in various UV cure applications. The clock is now ticking for formulators currently utilising TPO, however, support is available! Anstar can provide options for all the challenges faced in reformulating with TPO alternatives. Anstar supplies cutting-edge photoinitiators that deliver the same excellent benefits in performance as TPO. Our products are compliant with the latest regulatory decisions, ensuring that your formulations are future-proofed and effective for consumers. Whether formulating for cosmetic gel nails, coatings, or any other UV-cured applications, our alternatives offer the perfect balance of performance and compliance. What Challenges Can Be Overcome?   Yellowing Avoid yellowing with an alternative which absorbs UV at shorter wavelengths. One such alternative is JRCure TPO-L  which is easily incorporated into a formulation and can aid the solubility of other photoinitiators, providing good miscibility. TPO-L provides depth cure in UV and LED curable formulations. Curing Speed For fast results with an alternative that rapidly polymerises unsaturated resins utilising UV and near visible light exposure  JRCure 1109  (BAPO) is best in class. Perfect for curing pigmented formulations in outdoor applications, it can be formulated with UV absorbers to gain good weather stability. Odour and more… JRCure 1919 is a new future-proof TPO replacement, researched and developed by the in-house laboratory experts at Jiuri New Materials, with extremely low yellowing and high reactivity. Suitable for UV ink, OPV, fibre optic coatings, 3D printing, adhesives, it is the alternative for a new generation of UV curing products. Why Choose Anstar?   Proven Performance Through our long-standing partnership with Jiuri New Materials, our alternatives provide fast and reliable curing, just like TPO, without compromising product quality. We aim to provide products that maintain the durability and long-lasting finish all customers expect. Safety First With increasing concerns around the regulatory status of TPO, our solutions are the better choices that meet regulatory requirements. Anstar continues to be at the forefront of regulatory affairs, monitoring the status of our products worldwide.   Seamless Reformulation Reformulating your products with alternatives doesn't have to take a long time. Our dedicated technical team, based in the UK can offer support when you need it, reducing the potential for significant changes and ensuring a smooth transition to a relevant alternative.   Dependable and Reliable Anstar works hard to add value for every customer. With UK and EU-based warehousing, deliveries can be quick, smooth and dependable, and our team is on hand to help throughout the entire process.   Now is the best time to decide to reformulate and future-proof products for changing regulatory requirements. With Anstar's innovative alternatives, expertise and world-class customer service formulating for success is simple.

As Anstar continues to grow, we are excited to introduce our newest team member, Connie Cheng! "Connie, originally from Taiwan, pursued her postgraduate degree in Supply Chain Logistics Management at Durham University. Her professional journey encompasses diverse sectors including automobile, marine products, and retail. With a strong passion for operational efficiency, Connie is thrilled to contribute her expertise to our growing company and support its continued success."   We are confident that Connie’s extensive knowledge in supply chain logistics will be a significant asset as we continue to achieve our ambitious goals.   If you're interested in joining our innovative team, please visit our LinkedIn page where you can view current job openings.   https://uk.linkedin.com/company/anstar-limited

As Anstar continues to expand, we are delighted to welcome two new members to our team.   Dr Henry Spurr joins us as a Technical Sales Manager, bringing a wealth of sales and technical acumen. His experience will help Anstar continuously improve our service to customers. "Henry is originally from Buckinghamshire. He attended The University of Leeds where he achieved a degree in Chemistry followed by a PhD in Analytical Chemistry. He has a background in R&D, sales and consultancy across various industries, including nonwovens textiles, coatings and food technology. He joined Anstar in April 2024 as a Technical Sales Manager and is passionate about applying his technical and analytical strengths to keep driving Anstar’s success." Also joining the team is Chardae Campbell-Ryce as our Executive Assistant. She brings a dynamic combination of skills and enthusiasm, essential for enhancing our organisation and streamlining operations. "Chardae, originally from London, studied Criminology and Psychology at Leeds Beckett University. Throughout and following her degree, she gained experience in a range of customer-facing and finance roles. Joining Anstar in 2024 as the Executive assistant, she has a passion for efficiency and organisational management and is committed to supporting Anstar in becoming the next leading chemical distributor."   We are confident that our new joiners will be outstanding additions to our team and instrumental in our continued success.   If you're interested in joining our dynamic team, please visit our LinkedIn page where you can view current job openings. https://uk.linkedin.com/company/anstar-limited

Anstar is thrilled to announce our membership with the British Coatings Federation (BCF), the leading voice for the UK’s coatings industry.   At Anstar, we specialise in providing high-quality raw materials for the UV-curable market, driving innovation in coatings, printing inks, and beyond. The BCF champions excellence, sustainability, and growth across the coatings sector. This partnership positions us at the forefront of industry developments, enhances our ability to deliver better services to our customers and empowers us to contribute to a more sustainable future. 🌍   As we look ahead to the end of 2024, we are excited to participate in the following key BCF events:   The Dangerous Goods Webinar: 26th September 2024  – An essential platform for discussing safety standards and best practices in handling hazardous materials within our industry. The Global Chemicals Group Meeting: 15th October 2024  – A perfect opportunity for our technical team to engage in discussions on the global supply chain of paints, coatings, and inks.   Attending such events will allow us to contribute to and gain insights into the broader global landscape, ensuring we are well-equipped to meet the needs of our customers across the UK and EU.   We also look forward to connecting with both familiar faces and new acquaintances at the upcoming BCF awards evening! 🌟   While 2024 is set to conclude on a high note, we are equally enthusiastic about what lies ahead in 2025, as we intend on participating in even more BCF events next year, continuing to build on our commitment to innovation and sustainability!   For more details, check out our official page on the BCF website: https://coatings.org.uk/members/public_profile.asp?pubview=1&id=77306347&hhSearchTerms=%22anstar%22

In June 2024, Anstar Ltd proudly hosted Jiuri New Materials' Distributor Day Event!   Jiuri are the world's largest Photoinitiator manufacturer, and as their European sales team and exclusive distributor in the UK, Anstar were thrilled to welcome some of our EU distributors, including Euro Chemicals, Eurosyn, Oqema and Novasol, for an action packed three day event.   This event was also the perfect opportunity for Anstar to introduce our first in-house product, AnBarr A510, a premium polymeric acrylated amine made from 100% REACH registered and Swiss Listed monomers, ideal for food packaging inks, varnishes, and industrial coatings.   Day One: Introductions 👋 Our event began with an introductory talk from Mr. He (Jiuri's Global Sales Director). His opening talk set the basis for the exciting days ahead, diving into UV applications such as inks, 3D printing, and nail gels. The day was filled with insightful presentations and live demonstrations by Anstar's sales managers, who shared their extensive expertise. We wrapped up the first day with a delightful three course banquet at the venue, giving everyone a chance to mix and socialise. Day Two: Inks and Coatings 🖌️   We delved deeper into the inks industry, focusing specifically on the challenges associated with curing colours and whites. Our technical experts led detailed sessions, shedding light on these complex processes. The afternoon was dedicated to exploring coatings, including the challenges of replacing benzophenones and alpha amino ketones. To end the day we hopped on a train to Manchester city centre and enjoyed a fantastic dinner at Bundobust, a local Indian restaurant and brewery. It was the perfect way to unwind and enjoy some local flavour!🚂🍻 Day Three: Niche Applications 🔍   The final day of the event revealed the niche applications of UV technology, including solder masks, release coatings, and pressure-sensitive adhesives. Our experts demonstrated the innovative uses of Jiuri’s products, igniting ideas and discussions among our distributors. This day underscored the versatility and vast potential of UV technology across various industries. As the event drew to a close, we reflected on the invaluable knowledge shared and the exciting future of UV technology. This event was a great opportunity for our distributors to share their feedback with Mr. He on how Jiuri can improve their services and communication. Overall, our Distributor's Day event was essential for strengthening our relationships with our distributors and aligning our vision and objectives. We look forward to many more events like this in the future!

A warm welcome to Anstar's brand new website, now featuring our new Speciality business unit! Since our establishment in 2018, Anstar has embarked on an impressive path of growth and diversification. In our commitment to continuous improvement and customer satisfaction, we are excited to unveil our completely redesigned website. The platform not only offers a deeper insight into our company, but also showcases our people and values. Utilise our streamlined product finder to view our expanded product range for a comprehensive one-stop solution, providing instant and helpful technical information to ensure you can find what you're looking for with ease. As part of our commitment to keeping our customers well informed, our website will feature regular updates, industry news, and insights from our team. As we continue on our journey, we warmly invite you to join us. Discover our diverse range of products and connect with us today. The Anstar Team