A B Graphic International – represented by Currie Group in Australia and New Zealand – has formalised its exclusive global agreement with Actega Metal Print (AMP) to manage direct sales, marketing and customer service for its metallisation technology, Ecoleaf.
Designed for a broad variety of markets, Ecoleaf is a new digital solution enabling metallisation embellishments onto self-adhesive labels. Using only the precise amount of metal required for the printed area, Ecoleaf eliminates the use of hot and cold foil rolls, and what it says is their subsequent high impact on waste, as well as reducing the cost of metallic embellishments. ABG says it is “sustainable and cost-effective.”
The basis of Ecoleaf is a silver pigment that can be overprinted, resulting in what ABG says is a “rainbow” of metallic colours, including gold.
Integrated inline on finishing equipment, or analogue or digital printing presses, Ecoleaf consists of a printed trigger image and a metallisation unit that applies only the precise and required amount of metal to the trigger image.
The German printer, VollherbstDruck has become the first company to purchase an Ecoleaf unit, which was installed on the company’s ABG Digicon Series 3 converting machine.
Matthias Vollherbst, managing owner at Vollherbst, said: “Beta testing has progressed very well and we are getting lots of positive feedback, which is helping us to refine the system even further. It’s so important that we continue to innovate to ensure that our customers have the sharpest competitive edge and the most sustainable solutions available. ABG is a great partner for us, they not only see a big opportunity with Ecoleaf, but they share our vision for a more sustainable print market too – so there are some great synergies between us.”
Matt Burton, ABG’s global sales director, added: “We regard Ecoleaf as a new category of metallisation, 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.
