Metalic labeling

Digital Digest Not-so-Heavy

In the world of sophisticated metallic labelling, one company stands out from the crowd. Actega’s latest revolutionary printing solutions mean that metal-based labels are now history thanks to the company’s advanced, ‘EcoLeaf’ printing inks. This represents a big step forward in the quest towards a true circular economy. SPN spoke to Paolo Grasso, Sales Director, and Robert Koeckeis, Head of Product Management Metal Print at Actega, about the secrets of its metallic pigments and how they will transform the challenges of metallic embossing and 3D label embellishments.

Actega designed Ecoleaf pigments to be flexible in its support for trigger images created that have been created with a variety of new technologies. This strategy is proving to pay big dividends for the company. The high precision of flexo-printed trigger images and Ecoleaf’s precise application of special metallic pigments creates embellishments of extraordinary resolution and of the finest detail. Today Ecoleaf can create seamless metallisation labelling since there are no plate gaps. Rotary and flat-bed screen-printed trigger images enable convertors to use Ecoleaf technology to create unique, tactile metallic effects, thus removing the need for costly embossing.

Natural, more organic feel

Grasso said, “Following four years of development and subsequent patenting, we have been able to remove entirely the use of foil graphics, which have been used in label production for hundreds of years. Using the full width of the surface can sometimes cause waste of up to 90% of the metallised foil being used. With Ecoleaf, metallic effect graphics can be achieved without the use of metal foils by utilising the latest, Ecoleaf ‘no-plastics technology.

Grasso added, “We are definitely well ahead of the game when it comes to providing sustainable solutions and new digital data applications and we are able to supply pigments that creates no waste whatsoever. This is fantastic news for the wine, spirits and cosmetic’s industries. Our special silver and gold pigments provide a much more natural effect, and a truly more organic feel”.

Digitisation - the Spectrum of Change

As part of the Atlana fine chemicals Group, Actega is benefitting from a major investment programme in digitisation. In the first half of this year two new e-commerce platforms went online. Over the next three years, the speciality Chemicals Group Altana, which is the parent company of Actega, plans to invest more than 40m Euro in new spectrum product development, with 15m Euro alone, being dedicated to the development of a ‘High Input Screening Facility’. This in turn will enable product testing to be executed with enormous speed and efficiency, whilst offering the highest levels of quality and image perfection.

Koeckeis commented, “The key message is that Ecoleaf pigments not only offer full sustainability in their usage, but also at a much lower cost, and in the process save around 6-7 tons of waste products per year. As a result of these greater efficiencies, we can overcome the new 30% plastic content tax before it is imposed”. “When it comes to sustainability, we are not only looking at the production area, but also at greater efficiency and savings in our day-to-day operations. For example in the use of our renewable power sources and the overall consumption of less energy which is in addition to the recovery of more than 1,000 tons of Co2 every year. If companies will move to using Ecoleaf metallic pigments, then not only will they enjoy big savings, but also true sustainability. Furthermore, products will also benefit from the latest Ecoleaf cutting-edge technologies. This will mean that the finished product will be indistinguishable from the very best hot-foil metallic labelling applications available today”

SPN believes that Actega’s latest moves towards a truly circular, and zero waste economy are demonstrably highlighted here by the company’s advanced pigment technology and its on-going investments in new digitisation platforms.

“ we can overcome the new 30% plastic content tax before it is imposed ”