First EcoLeaf installation in a Mark Andy Digital Series HD hybrid press
Technology combination enables profitable and sustainable metallisation of labels in small and medium runs
ACTEGA Metal Print GmbH today announced that the Barthel Group - a specialist printer of high-quality labels and one of the largest label printers in Germany and the Netherlands - is participating in its beta programme with the world's first installation of an ACTEGA EcoLeaf™ metallisation unit in a digital/flexo hybrid press.
Thanks to the EcoLeaf unit recently integrated into a Mark Andy Digital Series HD at eprint's Bünde facility, the company can now offer an alternative to traditional cold foil finishing. At the same time, customers in the cosmetics industry can obtain high-quality, cost-effective yet sustainable metallised silver labels in short or medium runs. By using the Mark Andy press to overprint the EcoLeaf "trigger image", the Barthel Group can now offer new types of profitable decorative effects, including a rainbow of metallic colours.
"We are always looking for new ways to produce labels for our customers that stand out in retail outlets and increase sales. By finding and testing new technologies, we make sure we keep an eye on sustainable production processes that can reduce our environmental impact. EcoLeaf is an excellent tool for this, which is why we wanted to use it," explains Mr Barthel, owner of the Barthel Group.
"Our team has already run real orders through EcoLeaf. The result has made us confident that EcoLeaf will give us an important competitive advantage - while drastically reducing our film consumption. It is also becoming clear that we will soon be able to expand our range to include new types of spectacular, decorative metallic labels," continues Barthel.
The Essen-based Barthel Group supplies some of the world's leading brands in the chemical, automotive, food, pharmaceutical, wine and spirits markets. In January 2020, the Barthel Group expanded and completed its portfolio with the acquisition of the cosmetics specialist eprint. The company now has printing plants and warehouses throughout Europe, enabling it to successfully serve its international customer base.
In the words of Jan Franz Allerkamp, Managing Director of ACTEGA Metal Print: "It is an honour for the Barthel Group to participate in our beta programme. Apart from the fact that their new eprint plant is only an hour's drive away from us, they share our vision for outstanding customer service and the future of sustainable and profitable metallized labels".
"As it is our first unit in a hybrid solution, we can't wait to see how Mr Barthel and his team will develop their business using our technology. Now that eprint is part of the larger Barthel Group, we are confident that EcoLeaf will help them to discover many more growth opportunities," concludes Allerkamp.
Further information
EcoLeaf is a new digital solution for lucrative metal finishing of self-adhesive labels. The basis of the EcoLeaf technology is a silver pigment that can be overprinted to create a rainbow of metallic colours, including gold.
EcoLeaf technology is integrated directly into finishing systems, analogue or digital presses such as the Mark Andy Digital Series HD. It consists of a printed "trigger image" and a metallization unit that transfers only the exact amount of metallic pigments needed to the trigger image. This eliminates the need for hot and cold foils with the associated high material waste and reduces the cost of metallization.
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