Plenz worked at Heidelberg for more than 30 years, rising to become a member of its main board and the manufacturer’s chief technology officer. 

Since leaving the business last year he has worked as a consultant and independent board member. 

From next month Plenz will become the interim general manager of Actega Metal Print, which is commercialising the EcoLeaf nano metallisation technology originally developed by Landa. 

Actega chairman Thorsten Kröller, said Plenz's engineering background and extensive experience made him “ideally placed” to lead the commercialisation of the product, which uses nano-scale metallic flakes instead of traditional foil. 

Plenz commented: “I’m very excited to join Actega. EcoLeaf is such an important technology, poised to eliminate foil waste from the traditional metallisation process – it will change the market forever. To achieve this, and following the beta phase, our next big step is to industrialise the solution. This is where I will use my experience of bringing technologies to market, to enable a smooth and successful series-ramp-up.”

Jan Franz Allerkamp, the former managing director of Actega Metal Print, will become global business line head for Actega’s Paper & Board Business from 1 October.

Allerkamp takes charge of growing paper and board operation 

He replaces Andreas Gipp, who becomes chief commercial officer of Eckart on the same date. 

Both firms are part of the Altana Group. 

Allerkamp said the Paper & Board business, established two years ago, was “on an upward trajectory”. 

“For instance, its barrier coatings initiative has huge potential and the folding carton market, with its mega trend towards increased sustainability, also represents major growth for us and for our customers,” he said. 

The first EcoLeaf beta unit was installed last year at German printer Kolbe-Coloco.