Germany’s Actega Metal Print has announced a global partnership with print finishing firm, AB Graphic International (ABG), to manage direct sales, marketing and customer service for its metallization technology, EcoLeaf – starting first in the European Union and the UK.
EcoLeaf is a new digital solution enabling metallization embellishments onto self-adhesive labels. When sold through ABG, the Actega solution will be installed on new Digicon Series 3 digital finishing presses or retrofitted to existing presses in the field. EcoLeaf replaces the use of hot and cold foil rolls and their subsequent high impact on waste, as well as reduces the cost of metallic embellishments.
“We regard EcoLeaf as a new category of metallization, that will enable our customers to differentiate themselves with new and exciting print embellishments,” Matt Burton, sales director for AB Graphic International, said. “As it should do, sustainability remains a high priority for businesses, and EcoLeaf is expected to make a huge and positive contribution towards that. As such, we consider the AMP technology to be a perfect complement to our product portfolio, and as a cost-competitive solution for high-end decorations, one that will deliver economic value to our customers.”
The basis of EcoLeaf is a silver pigment that can be overprinted, resulting in a rainbow of metallic colors, including gold. Integrated inline on finishing equipment, analogue or digital printing presses, EcoLeaf consists of a printed trigger image and a metallization unit that applies only the precise and required amount of metal to the trigger image.
“With over 65 years of print finishing expertise in the labels industry, 11,000 product installations and 2,500 customers, ABG is clearly a great partner for us. What’s more, we’re thrilled that they not only see a big opportunity with EcoLeaf, but that they share our vision for a more sustainable print market. Hot on the heels of our recent first beta site announcement at Kolbe-Coloco, the appointment of ABG is a key component to our roll-out plan,” Jan Franz Allerkamp, managing director, Actega Metal Print, said.
