Reflecting on a successful 2024 for ACTEGA, the year was filled with opportunities, even amid supply chain disruptions and rising costs in the industry. ACTEGA, manufacturer of specialty coatings, inks, adhesives, sealants and compounds for the print and packaging industry, not only weathered these complexities but thrived. By forging new partnerships for the market adoption of its pioneering technologies, expanding its production facilities, and advancing its sustainable solutions, ACTEGA has continued to add significant value to its customers’ business and the broader industry in 2024. Looking forward to 2025, ACTEGA strengthened further its leadership in sustainability by launching innovative products this year, as well as spearheading advancements and initiatives that promote wider sustainability within the sector.

Showcasing a Diverse and Innovative Product Range at Leading Industry Shows and Conferences
In 2024, ACTEGA showcased its solutions and products at prominent industry events, including drupa 2024 and Labelexpo Americas. At drupa 2024, ACTEGA displayed its comprehensive product portfolio for printers and converters at various touchpoints and on partner company stands throughout the event. The focus was on the company’s offering of more sustainable solutions and high-value embellishment options, with ECOLEAF technology one of the key highlights for drupa attendees.

Water-based barrier coatings were another product that attracted a lot of attention at the show. Visitors were able to discover a broad portfolio of solutions for applications such as baking and food trays, soap boxes, fast food packaging and more. Together with its partners, ACTEGA once again demonstrated what is possible for printers, packaging converters and the paper industry.

Another notable highlight at drupa 2024 was Dennis Siepmann, ACTEGA's Head of Sustainability, who addressed the audience on the crucial topic of sustainability concepts and the forthcoming EU Packaging & Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR). This regulation promises to reshape the landscape of packaging and its materials.

At Labelexpo Americas, ACTEGA launched its ACTKote UV wash-off primer an important addition to its portfolio of sustainable solutions, designed to increase the recyclability of shrink sleeves. Prior to the official launch, the new primer was formally recognised by the Association of Plastic Recyclers (APR) for meeting the highest criteria for recyclability according to the APR Design® Guide for Plastics Recyclability. This high-quality primer not only provides the quality ink adhesion needed for shrink sleeve applications, but customers can be assured that choosing ACTKote Primer leads to less waste, more efficient use of natural resources and an increased supply of high-quality post-consumer recycled content.

Visitors to Labelexpo had the opportunity to explore ACTEGA's diverse product portfolio, including SafeShield low-migration inks and coatings, which are extensively certified for low-migration applications. These products, compliant with global standards, underscore ACTEGA's dedication to regulatory excellence and innovation. ACTEGA also highlighted its LED-UV Inks and Coatings at Labelexpo Americas, which are used in energy-efficient and emission-free printing processes. Available in various finishes like Matte, Gloss, and MotionCoat®, these coatings offer unique visual effects that enhance the appeal of shrink sleeves and pressure-sensitive labels.

Mell Bishop, Vice President of Flexible Packaging North America & Global Market Manager Labels, ACTEGA explains, “With improving sustainability a priority for the industry, the products and technologies ACTEGA showcased this Labelexpo Americas became a highlight for anyone attending the show. We’re a company that is committed to an all-encompassing sustainable approach – from how we develop our inks, coatings and technologies and the impact these products have on the carbon footprint of labels and packaging, to our regulatory expertise that ensures our customers can enjoy full confidence in our safe, compliant solutions.”

At the Cannex Fillex Asia Pacific event in Guangzhou, China, ACTEGA highlighted its cutting-edge advancements in metal packaging technology with a focus on sustainability. One of the standout technologies was ROTARflow, a digital system that optimizes the efficiency of can ends production by making real-time adjustments for precise application of water-based sealants while reducing waste. Another noteworthy innovation was Low Cure Coatings, a solution for internal aerosol cans, garnered attention at the show for its ability to cure at lower temperatures of 195-200°C, enhancing both sustainability and efficiency. ACTEGA also showcased its innovative UV DIRECT TO METAL system, cutting CO2 emissions by 40% by replacing solvent-based coatings with UV systems, SVELON® Low Gauge Compounds, reducing crown cork thickness to 0.18 mm and potentially saving 90,000 metric tons of metal annually. Additionally, the joint development of INNOCAN® technology by ACTEGA, Brasilata Labs, and HP Indigo was featured at the show. This innovative, cost-effective process enhances high-speed offset digital printing in canmaking.

This year, at the Paper Packaging Council Fall Conference in Atlanta, ACTEGA and Standridge Color Corporation showcased their collaboration in driving sustainable solutions for single-use food packaging. The two companies jointly presented their water-based barrier solutions and application capabilities - offering the industry a sustainable and functional alternative to traditional poly-coated board.

Forging the Path of Sustainable Innovation with Pioneering Technologies: ECOLEAF and Signite®
As we look back on 2024, ECOLEAF – on-demand metallization technology for label embellishment - has solidified its role as a pivotal innovation within ACTEGA's portfolio. ECOLEAF technology was honored with the 2024 FINAT Sustainability Award in the Reduction of Environmental Impact category at the Sustainable Packaging Summit in Amsterdam. This accolade highlights ECOLEAF's groundbreaking method of applying metallization solely where needed, significantly reducing the environmental footprint of labels. By enhancing recyclability and minimizing waste, ECOLEAF addresses a longstanding challenge for end-users concerned with sustainable packaging solutions.

This year, ACTEGA has successfully expanded the adoption of ECOLEAF across various sectors through strategic partnerships with leading companies including FUJIFIM. In collaboration with FUJIFILM, ACTEGA is set to integrate the 46kUV Inkjet Printbar into the ECOLEAF metallization technology, enhancing print resolution. To further support its partners and promote sustainable practices, ACTEGA offered a complimentary streamlined Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) tailored to brand owners' specific applications in 2024.

“In an era where eco-consciousness dictates industry trends and consumer behavior, ECOLEAF stands as a herald of change in the packaging world. Through our technology, we see a clear path forward for brand owners to reconcile premium branding with environmental stewardship,” explained Harald Jasper, General Manager at ACTEGA Metal Print.

In 2024, ACTEGA also made significant strides with the expanded collaboration with All4Labels for their transformative decoration technology Signite®. The partnership between the two companies, formalized in December 2023 with a 10-year agreement, appoints All4Labels as the exclusive partner for ACTEGA’s Signite® technology in the European market. Throughout 2024, the two companies worked together to optimize production, making the "no-label look" solution ready for European brand owners, particularly in the Wine & Spirits, Personal & Homecare, Beer & Beverages, and Food sectors. 2024 saw the agreement’s extension to Central and South America, where All4Labels will market the sustainable Signite® technology as STARDIRECT™ within its STAR Portfolio.

Progressing with Purpose: Milestones of 2024
ACTEGA has been expanding its operations and enhancing its customer service offerings over 2024. One key component of this strategy is the establishment of a new 238,000 sq. ft. facility in Kings Mountain, North Carolina, which will be fully completed in 2025. This state-of-the-art production facility consolidates four existing premises from North Carolina and Indiana, signifying ACTEGA's dedication to investing in cutting-edge technology. From 2025, the new building, with its expansive size, will serve as the perfect platform for ACTEGA to expand, especially its Flexible Packaging and Metal Packaging business line production and operations. The facility will house all ink technology development under one roof, fostering synergy in R&D, technical service, and quality control.

In addition to these developments, in October, ACTEGA announced the appointment of Stuart Hayes, the new Managing Director for ACTEGA North America. Stuart Hayes brings over 25 years of experience in the specialty chemicals industry, having held various operational, strategic, managerial, and sales positions. His tenure at companies like BASF and Evonik, including a three-year period in Germany, has equipped him with an international perspective and a comprehensive understanding of multifunctional environments. While with Evonik, Stuart Hayes helped to craft a holistic sustainability roadmap for the North American region, underscoring his dedication to environmental stewardship.

Thorsten Kröller, President of the Division ACTEGA, warmly welcomed Stuart Hayes, commenting, "Stuart's visionary leadership and expertise make him the ideal choice to propel ACTEGA North America towards a successful future, which we also support with significant investments in our sites in North Carolina and New Jersey. His skills in managing and developing teams will be instrumental in contributing to our global OneACTEGA roadmap. I am confident that his addition to ACTEGA's global management team will drive our unprecedented growth and innovation further."

Acknowledging Excellence: ALTANA Innovation Award
In 2024, ACTEGA was honored to receive the Altana Innovation Award for its pioneering YUNICO® technology. This prestigious award recognizes the most promising innovations across all Altana divisions. YUNICO® technology stands out for its ability to allow ACTEGA's customers to disperse highly customisable compounds into stable water-based coatings. Whether for drinking cups, stand-up pouches, or pizza boxes, the patented Yunico technology platform enhances food packaging sustainability by offering new functionalities in recyclability and adhesion, while providing barrier properties against water, water vapor, and oils in the packaging.

Commitment to Sustainability: Making the World a Little Bluer
In 2024 and beyond, ACTEGA is unwavering in its mission to lead the industry with innovative solutions and ambitious sustainability initiatives. Sustainability is at the core of ACTEGA's business. Embracing the motto "Let us make the world a little bluer", ACTEGA continues to pursue significant advances in creating a circular ecosystem and reducing its own climate impact. The company’s commitment to making the print, labels and packaging industry even more sustainable is as strong as ever.

In 2024, emphasizing more responsible chemical alternatives, ACTEGA launched a TMPTA-free UV-coating product line in response to TMPTA's reclassification as a category 2 carcinogen, underscoring ACTEGA’s commitment to environmental responsibility. For metal protective applications, for example in internal coatings for aerosol cans, new solutions were brought to market which replace Bisphenol-A (BPA)-containing, conventional systems. The systematic replacement of PFAS-containing additives and raw materials was another focus over the past year and led to numerous examples in ACTEGA’s portfolio which are now free of this challenging class of substances. ACTEGA’s Bremen site achieved certification under the ISCC+ scheme, integrating mass-balanced raw materials that significantly reduced the carbon footprint of our plastic granulates. By completing their Scope 3 inventory data collection, ACTEGA gained valuable insights into emission hotspots, paving the way for targeted emission reduction strategies. Establishing CEPI 2.0 recycling testing in their lab and our Gold medal achievement in the Ecovadis assessment of ACTEGA RHENACOAT further highlighted their dedication to sustainable progress.

“By prioritizing sustainability efforts, we not only contribute to protecting the planet but also demonstrate our dedication to being a responsible and forward-thinking business. At ACTEGA, we consistently examine our practices and make changes where necessary. This ongoing commitment drives us to continually assess and optimize our portfolio for greater sustainability.” says, Dennis Siepmann, ACTEGA Head of Sustainability.

A Glimpse into 2025: Embracing Sustainable Progress
ACTEGA’s vision is rooted in a deep understanding of the evolving landscape of consumer expectations, regulatory frameworks, and technological advancements. The company recognizes that the future of packaging is not only about meeting market demands but also about fostering a culture of environmental stewardship.

Undoubtedly, the shift towards eco-friendly consumption is transforming the packaging industry, especially in Europe, where consumers are increasingly assessing the environmental impact of their purchasing choices. In their pursuit of excellence, ACTEGA aims to be at the forefront of this shift by continuing to innovate and introducing cutting-edge technologies and solutions that cater to the diverse needs of our customers while prioritizing sustainability.