The partnership was announced by the two businesses at Packaging Innovations at the NEC in Birmingham yesterday (25 May).
Hull, East Yorkshire-based labels specialist Springfield Solutions will take delivery of the EcoLeaf machine in June. The partnership will also be supported by AB Graphic International (ABG), which is responsible for sales, installations, and training of the EcoLeaf units on all ABG lines.
The EcoLeaf no-foil metallisation system provides “a sustainable solution for premium packaging” and an alternative to hot and cold foil. It is used to embellish labels, folding cartons, flexible packaging and more.
It is estimated that EcoLeaf reduces CO2 footprint by greater than 50% compared to cold and hot foil systems. The kit only uses the precise amount of metal required to create the luxury embellishment, therefore reducing waste.
There is also a reduction in the time it takes to produce these luxury effects, particularly when coupled with digital printing. There are no lengthy plate setup times, and the machine will be seamlessly integrated into Springfield’s current digital printing process.
Speaking during a press conference at Packaging Innovations, Springfield Solutions joint managing director Matt Dass said: “We are delighted to announce this partnership with Actega, it’s a technology we’ve been looking at since 2016 – we’ve been running lots of trials and trying to build up a relationship.
“Springfield Solutions’ mission is to be the world leader in innovative and sustainable digital packaging assets and when we looked at this technology, we knew that it ticked every box for us.
“It’s a digital process and the environmental and sustainability credentials are everything that we’re trying to achieve as a business. We’ve got some pretty aggressive count of net zero aims as a business and this falls in line with what we’re trying to do as a business but also what our markets and our customers are expecting. We can’t wait to get testing and trialling and do some really exciting stuff.”
Actega senior external consultant Jeff Shea added: “This is the first system from Actega in the UK market and we’re very pleased to have this association with Matt and his company and looking for good things in the future to come out of it.”
Also operating five Screen inkjet presses and a wide range of finishing machines from ABG, Springfield Solutions employs 98 staff and has a turnover of just over £11m.
Actega parent Altana acquired Landa’s nano metallisation technology in February 2017.
