ACTEGA, a manufacturer of specialty coatings, inks, adhesives and sealing compounds for the print and packaging industry, has announced new additions to its extensive product portfolio, further enhancing the visual and haptic effects achievable for shrink sleeves.

The new products include coatings designed to create highly tactile, impactful shrink sleeve effects. By applying the Hybrid AQ-UV Soft Touch Coating and UV Wet Touch Coating, users can produce packaging designs that represent the brand image or the product itself, such as wet touch coatings on a beverage bottle or the soft touch finish on a tube of luxurious, conditioning moisturizer, or the brand image.

“Brands are constantly looking for ways to differentiate their products to stand out on a competitive store shelf, and these new coatings are the latest innovations from ACTEGA, designed with the consumer experience and brand identity in mind,” explains Wolfgang Hoffmann, head of market management, EMEA, labels.

In addition to these advanced coatings, ACTEGA’s new UV and solvent-based silver inks, including a Solvent-Based Rainbow Silver, have been launched for brands and converters looking to create a dramatic metallic shine. Converters can also opt for these silvers instead of a traditional foil finishing process, enabling better recyclability of the finished container, and reducing waste associated with applying foil.

These new products, alongside a new UV matte coating and UV shrink white ink, further bolster ACTEGA’s extensive range of functional and special effect coatings for shrink sleeves.

Hoffmann comments, “ACTEGA’s coating and ink systems work on all common substrates, including PET, OPS and PVC, and are suitable for one-sided or two-sided finishing. ACTEGA also takes pride in offering a truly consultative approach to ensure that our customers can optimize the ACTEGA products they choose, both during production and to deliver the most effective, high-quality finish, and our team is always on hand to offer technical solutions for slide angle, static, scratch or adhesion.

“Shrink sleeves are a fast-growing market, providing 360º coverage and the highest flexibility in container shapes,” he adds. “By continuously developing and innovating our portfolio of products, we aim to ensure that our customers can stay competitive and take advantage of the many business opportunities available in this sector.”