ACTEGA Metal Print GmbH (AMP) has announced a global partnership with print finishing expert AB Graphic International (ABG), to manage direct sales, marketing and customer service for its sustainable and cost-effective metallization technology, EcoLeaf, starting first in the European Union and the UK.

Designed for a broad variety of markets, EcoLeaf is a new digital solution enabling profit-driving 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. Using only the precise amount of metal required for the printed area, 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.

Matt Burton, sales director for ABG comments, “We regard EcoLeaf as a new category of metallization, that will enable our customers to differentiate themselves with new and exciting print embellishments.”

“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,” said Burton.

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.

Jan Franz Allerkamp, managing director, ACTEGA Metal Print, comments, “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.”