Ecoleaf for label embellishment: it’s time to choose mindful metallization

In the pursuit of sustainability, industries worldwide are revamping their operations. The print and packaging sector is encountering increased regulatory pressures, prompting businesses to adopt sustainable practices while urging the packaging industry players, including brand owners, to undergo significant design and composition revisions to meet these sustainability goals.

This shift not only aligns with regulatory requirements but also positions brands advantageously as consumer demand for eco-friendly packaging surges. However, eye-catching packaging can differentiate a product on crowded shelves, compelling consumers to take notice and make a purchase. Thus, brand owners are pressed to find a balance between aesthetic appeal and sustainability, a task the packaging industry is embracing through technology and innovation.

One such innovation that stands out in the market is Ecoleaf, a disruptive on-demand metallization technology. Developed by Actega, this mindful metallization technology exemplifies the merger of aesthetics and eco-consciousness without compromise. By minimizing waste and optimizing resources, Ecoleaf enables the production of eye-catching metallic embellishments with a significantly improved environmental profile.

Setting a new standard in the labels world, Ecoleaf’s metallization can be utilized for numerous applications, including laminated tubes, shrink sleeves and pressure-sensitive labels for the cosmetics and personal care markets. For decades, the cosmetics and personal care industries have relied on the allure of traditional foiling methods to create captivating, premium metallic effects on their packaging designs. While visually appealing, these conventional practices involve excessive use of materials and energy, with a sizable environmental footprint.

With Ecoleaf, the entire process of metallization has been reinvented. The technology works ‘on-demand’, delivering high-impact metallic effects wherever they are needed and eliminating the necessity for PET carrier film and foil reels. It significantly reduces waste and plastic consumption and minimizes the impact associated with the production and disposal of these materials.

Enhancing aesthetic appeal sustainably

Ecoleaf is transforming metallization by offering a more sustainable alternative to traditional methods, significantly reducing waste. Ecoleaf enables the creation of high-shine and relief metallic embellishments with a diverse color palette akin to traditional techniques, making it stand out in the market. The process uses considerably fewer raw materials—1kg of Ecoleaf flakes effectively replaces 3,000kg of foil—thereby reducing the CO2 impact equivalent to planting around 833 trees.

Unleashing a new wave of sustainable creativity in the industry, the Ecoleaf process begins with the printing of a trigger image on a substrate using a varnish-like material, which is then UV-cured before passing through the metallization unit. Ecoleaf’s distinctiveness lies in its application of a thin layer of metal pigments onto the trigger image, eliminating the need for drying or curing and offering an eco-friendly and cost-effective solution. The technology is simple, easy -to-use and integrates as it can be added to the existing screen, digital inkjet or flexo printing production lines. With the ability to overprint in any color, Ecoleaf creates a true rainbow of metallic shades, allowing the highest degree of creativity while enhancing the quality of finished products.

Unlocking sustainable luxury: a game-changer for multiple applications

Ecoleaf's disruptive technology offers printers, converters and brand owners the opportunity to be on the right side of change, combining aesthetic appeal and sustainability in their labels. In comparison to traditional cold foil transfer methods, Ecoleaf delivers notable CO2 savings, making it a worthy choice for companies committed to their role in improving sustainability. Ecoleaf's lower environmental impact has been validated through several comparative examples and verified by independent external experts in accordance with the requirements of ISO 14040 standards and 14044 Life Cycle Analysis.

Paolo Grasso, sales director at Actega for Ecoleaf, commented: ‘In an era where eco-consciousness dictates industry trends and consumer behavior, Ecoleaf stands as a herald of change in the labels world. Through our technology, we see a clear path forward for brand owners to reconcile premium branding with environmental stewardship. Ecoleaf's solution-oriented approach proves that sustainability and luxury can coexist, marking a new chapter in the narrative of responsible labels. This is indeed mindful metallization at its best.’

For a limited time, Actega is offering brands a free streamlined Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) tailored to their specific application and coupled with a sample of existing artwork where the metallization is replaced with Ecoleaf embellishments.

Contact Actega now to apply for a tailored, streamlined LCA or book a meeting with Actega during Labelexpo Americas 2024 (booth #711) to begin the journey towards a more sustainable label embellishment.