Harald Jasper · Managing Director · ACTEGA Metal Print · LabelPrint Barcelona 2025

Morten from Inkish interviews Harald Jasper from Actega at LabelExpo in Barcelona about their breakthrough metallization technology, Ecoleaf. Harald explains that for years, metallization at the show was shown only as dummies, but this time it is running live on a press from Gallus. Traditionally, metallic effects were made using foil carriers, which generate large amounts of waste. Ecoleaf replaces the foil with metal flakes suspended in water: a binder is digitally printed and cured on the substrate, then metal flakes are applied and adhere to the binder, creating a glossy metallic surface comparable to foil. He says this method cuts the carbon footprint by at least 80% because it eliminates polyester film production, metallization, and transport. The gloss and reflection now match conventional foil, and when overprinted with inkjet, the results are striking. Harald notes that metal flakes themselves are recyclable and that Actega has received RecyClass certification confirming the recyclability of the finished products. Developed over eight years by a multidisciplinary in-house team, Ecoleaf is already shipping and can be mounted on almost any press—typically at the start of hybrid presses for overprinting with inkjet, or at the start of flexo lines for applications like spirits and whiskey labels. Actega’s focus now is scaling up from 8-hour runs to 24/7 production, expanding globally to support major brand customers, and developing new applications such as shrink sleeves and possibly cardboard. Harald emphasizes that big brands are increasingly driving the push for sustainable packaging, and Actega aims to meet that demand with Ecoleaf.

Stephan Plenz · Managing Director · Actega Metal Print