Choc.ly
Edible ink formulation to enable personalised confectionary
Supporting the R&D of edible inks for printing on personalised confectionary
Choc.ly is a business based in the North East of England that has developed a printing technique to print multiple high precision layers of edible ink onto chocolate. The company produces inkjet inks derived from natural pigments that can be printed onto chocolate for personalised confectionary.
Choc.ly partnered with CPI with a primary research focus to develop their ink formulation using natural pigments and to improve the ink’s resistance to bacterial growth. Choc.ly worked with CPI to develop suitable ink formulations and test their colour stability and bacterial growth over time.
This work was carried out as part of CPI’s Project IMPACT (Innovative Materials via Precision Additive Coating Technologies), which was part-funded by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF).
![](https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/smart-hoopoe/production/content/images/choc-factory.jpg?w=1920&h=1080&q=60&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1607091423&s=bc5812cde42fba0c5eb00dc2f5fc60b4 1920w, https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/smart-hoopoe/production/content/images/choc-factory.jpg?w=1120&h=630&q=60&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1607091423&s=6166879eddf1f6aff3d2696b146966c7 1120w, https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/smart-hoopoe/production/content/images/choc-factory.jpg?w=800&h=450&q=60&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1607091423&s=58bec2133f226c16b1037a9656dabb74 800w, https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/smart-hoopoe/production/content/images/choc-factory.jpg?w=1600&h=900&q=45&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1607091423&s=82d535a8cbb5739ff95fcd66125564b9 1600w, https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/smart-hoopoe/production/content/images/choc-factory.jpg?w=480&h=270&q=60&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1607091423&s=2f1c4d29353d14f1846e39457da0580a 480w, https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/smart-hoopoe/production/content/images/choc-factory.jpg?w=960&h=540&q=45&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1607091423&s=df048af491a72b0146b4665f0c58f7cf 960w)
“ The state-of-the-art facilities and highly skilled teams we had the opportunity to work with through CPI have provided the technical insight needed to advance our natural edible ink formulations. CPI also helped us to secure key funding for the project, and we’re now much closer to commercialisation. ”
Achievements
Inputs
- ERDF funding via Project IMPACT
- Expertise in the formulation of printable inks and additive manufacturing
- State-of-the-art facilities
Outputs
- Formulation of different coloured, natural pigment inks
- Tests conducted on the colour stability and bacterial growth over time of the ink formulations
- Report produced detailing findings and recommendations for further research
Outcomes
- Suitable alternative formulations for colour stable inks with bacterial growth inhibition developed
- Greater understanding of the effects of pH changes in inhibiting bacterial growth in Choc.ly’s inks
- Further research goals identified
- Discussions underway with global confectionary manufacturers to advance commercialisation
![](https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/smart-hoopoe/production/content/images/formulation-lab-3.jpg?w=1920&h=1080&q=60&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1559221150&s=c8be5af302ddd980b804bce5390629eb 1920w, https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/smart-hoopoe/production/content/images/formulation-lab-3.jpg?w=1120&h=630&q=60&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1559221150&s=7d559c92bd5f737e53049b14d0eaffe8 1120w, https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/smart-hoopoe/production/content/images/formulation-lab-3.jpg?w=2240&h=1260&q=45&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1559221150&s=63ebad682173b1c1011d2c16733bc951 2240w, https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/smart-hoopoe/production/content/images/formulation-lab-3.jpg?w=800&h=450&q=60&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1559221150&s=3b65544354aedcd5669e4377f1cfc0f6 800w, https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/smart-hoopoe/production/content/images/formulation-lab-3.jpg?w=1600&h=900&q=45&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1559221150&s=c773d1713ec9bf4d6cf5bd4ff03d87d2 1600w, https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/smart-hoopoe/production/content/images/formulation-lab-3.jpg?w=480&h=270&q=60&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1559221150&s=ab4ab140e6db20a2efcd8beb20d0f4a4 480w, https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/smart-hoopoe/production/content/images/formulation-lab-3.jpg?w=960&h=540&q=45&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1559221150&s=9f3c014eeda470321f398fed61198c2d 960w)
The challenge
The ink formulation process currently relies on the conventional preservative potassium sorbate to prevent bacterial growth. The challenge is to develop an alternative method to prohibit bacterial growth without utilising preservatives.
Technical input was required to help create Choc.ly’s new ink formulations, along with experimental testing and analysis to monitor colour stability and bacterial growth over time. Choc.ly approached CPI to access funding and expertise to investigate alternative methods of inhibiting bacterial growth, specifically by changing pH to prevent the survival of bacteria.
How CPI helped
Working with CPI, Choc.ly secured funding for the technical research work through Project IMPACT, which is delivered on behalf of the ERDF.
CPI carried out the development of the ink formulations and experimental research, followed by conducting tests to monitor colour stability and bacterial growth rate at various pH levels. A detailed report was produced highlighting the findings of the work and future research directions, allowing Choc.ly to progress their innovation.
Choc.ly are in advanced stages of negotiation with global confectionary manufacturers to commercialise and take their printable, edible inks forward.
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