Algae-Based Ink Enables Low-Carbon Packaging
ACTEGA and Living Ink, with Waiākea, launch UV flexographic ink using carbon-negative algae pigment for beverage labels and scalable sustainable packaging.
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ACTEGA and Living Ink Technologies, in collaboration with Waiākea Hawaiian Volcanic Beverages, have introduced a UV flexographic ink formulated with carbon-negative algae-based pigment, marking a development in sustainable packaging materials for consumer goods.
Context: Reducing carbon impact in packaging
Packaging and printing processes rely heavily on petroleum-based pigments such as carbon black, which contribute to overall product carbon footprints. As consumer packaged goods (CPG) companies pursue decarbonisation strategies, alternatives that combine environmental benefits with industrial performance are increasingly required.
The collaboration between ACTEGA, Living Ink Technologies, and Waiākea addresses this challenge by developing a bio-based ink compatible with existing flexographic printing systems.
Technical solution: Carbon-negative pigment integration
The new ACTExact® UV Black Algae Ink integrates Living Ink’s Algae Black™ pigment, derived from algae biomass. According to life cycle assessment data, the pigment achieves a net carbon footprint of approximately –4.16 kg CO₂-equivalent per kilogram.
The formulation is designed for UV flexographic printing, maintaining compatibility with established production processes while delivering consistent press performance and curing characteristics.
Cooperation and development process
The development builds on a joint agreement between ACTEGA and Living Ink Technologies initiated in 2024, with Waiākea supporting research, validation, and early commercial adoption.
The project combined pigment development, ink formulation expertise, and application testing to meet the technical requirements of industrial-scale printing. The result is a system designed to balance environmental performance with print quality and operational reliability.
Waiākea Hawaiian Volcanic Beverages — showcasing the first commercial labels printed with the new sustainable ink technology.
Application: Commercial deployment in beverage labels
The ink has been commercially implemented in beverage label production for Waiākea, with printing carried out by NextGen Label Group. The project replaced conventional black ink across the brand’s labels, demonstrating compatibility with existing supply chains and production environments.
The current formulation is limited to black pigment, but further colour developments are under investigation to expand applicability across packaging formats.
Operational impact: Scalability and supply chain integration
The ink is designed for integration into standard UV flexographic systems, enabling packaging converters to adopt the technology without significant equipment changes. Availability for trials and bulk supply has been established in North America and the European Union, with further geographic expansion planned.
By combining performance with reduced carbon impact, the solution supports brand owners seeking to meet sustainability targets while maintaining production efficiency.
Conclusion: Advancing sustainable printing materials
The introduction of algae-based UV flexographic ink demonstrates how bio-derived materials can be integrated into established industrial processes. Through collaboration across the value chain, the project provides a pathway for reducing the environmental impact of packaging without compromising technical performance.
Edited by an industrial journalist, Lekshman Ramdas, with AI assistance.
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