Springfield Solutions has announced it will serve as the first digital beta testing partner for ACTEGA’s ECOLEAF technology. ECOLEAF is a new category of metalization for graphic arts, which provides a sustainable solution for premium packaging and an alternative to hot and cold foil.

The new technology is used to embellish labels, folding cartons, flexible packaging and more. This provides a sustainable way to foil packaging by only using the precise amount of metal required to create the luxury embellishment, reducing waste. Eco-friendly solutions are essential, especially in the packaging world. As brands continue to search for ways to increase their sustainability in every element of their products and consumers continue to demand these sustainable products, wthe industry is striving to develop and utilize solutions to lower their carbon footprint.

It is estimated that ECOLEAF reduces CO2 footprint by greater than 50% compared to cold and hot foil solutions, ACTEGA says. Therefore, there is the potential impact on the environment when using ECOLEAF, creating a hopeful future for digital print and packaging.

There are also material and cost savings when using ECOLEAF. This is because only the exact amount of material needed to create the foil effect is used, resulting in less waste. There is also a reduction in the time it takes to produce these luxury effects, especially when coupled with digital printing. There are no lengthy plate setup times, and the machine is seamlessly integrated into our current digital printing process. This creates a much more economical way to achieve luxury packaging.

Matt Dass, joint managing director of Springfield Solutions, says “ECOLEAF fits our mission to be a world leader in the supply of innovative and sustainable digital packaging assets perfectly as businesses across the globe look for more environmentally friendly solutions for their packaging assets. 

ECOLEAF’s metalization technology allows brands to do this without having to compromise on quality, retaining a premium look and feel. Paolo Grasso, sales director of ACTEGA Metal Print, adds, “Announcing our collaboration with such a forward-thinking, like-minded company makes this milestone on our ECOLEAF journey that much more inspiring and significant for all involved. ECOLEAF is designed to provide brands with the high-quality and visual impact that comes from adding metallic decorations to labels and packaging, but with a smaller environmental and economic footprint.