Coates Screen is to replace its lead-based screen inks with organic formulations, and predicts that all residual stocks of lead-based inks will be run down by the end of the year.

The company said that it decided to take the step after a request from the European Council of the Paint, Printing Ink and Artists Colours Industry (CEPE).

Screenprinting has been the only sector of the industry allowed to use lead chrome pigments, where their relatively low cost and high opacity has been considered necessary.

Coates Screen publicity manager John Rose said: The ink technology, based on organic pigments, has been around for some time. Coates likes to keep one step ahead. These ink formulations can compete with lead inks on cost and opacity.

Rose said the organic inks would run slightly differently to the lead formulations, but that they were well-proven alternative inks.

The company said that although European directives had restricted the use of heavy metal lead inks, they could still be used. However, it added that outright avoidance was the best course of action.