Kolbe-Coloco Spezialdruck is beta testing the system, now known as EcoLeaf. The Versmold-based business has installed an embellishing unit on its 12-colour Gallus RCS press, with installation and operator training beginning earlier this month.
The EcoLeaf system creates foil effects by depositing nano-scale metallic flakes over a trigger image, doing away with the need for conventional foil and associated waste. The silver pigment flakes can be overprinted to create other metallic colour combinations including gold.
Altana acquired the Metallography business from Landa Digital Printing’s parent Landa Group in 2017, and set up a new business unit within its Actega Coatings & Sealants division to commercialise it. Altana is a major investor in Landa Digital Printing.
Kolbe-Coloco managing director Michael Leon said he believed the EcoLeaf technology could be a “game changer”.
“Eradicating foil is a huge and incredibly important milestone in our industry, and this technology looks poised to support that. For this reason, we have no doubt that our customers will embrace EcoLeaf with open arms, but we also know that they will love the opportunity to add cost effective and amazing metallisation to their jobs too – this solution has the potential to be a serious game changer,” he said.
EcoLeaf will become commercially available this summer.
Jan Franz Allerkamp, managing director of Actega Metal Print, described Kolbe-Coloco as an ideal choice to become the first beta site for the system.
“In Kolbe-Coloco we’ve found a like-minded and very innovation-driven business. One that operates an automated, clean and very professional environment, but a company that has already proved itself to be a real change-maker. We look forward to working closely with them over the coming weeks and months, and to seeing EcoLeaf’s positive impact on their business.”
Kolbe-Coloco Spezialdruck dates back to 1828 and is part of the H.O. Persiehl Group. As well as labels the firm also prints a range of sheetfed products. The company was an early adopter of UV technology, which it started using in 1975.
