en.Wedoany.com Reported - Global ink and coatings company Actega and bio-based pigment firm Living Ink Technologies have jointly launched the ACTExact UV Black Algae Ink. This UV flexographic ink utilizes a carbon-negative algae-based black pigment, marking the first commercial application of its kind. Its initial commercial use was completed by NextGen Label Group, providing printing services for beverage labels for the Waiakea Hawaiian Volcanic Beverages brand. Waiakea, as an environmentally-conscious beverage company, supported this innovation.
Waiakea entered into a joint development agreement with Actega and Living Ink in 2024 to advance the formulation of the algae-based ink. The project aims to replace petroleum-based carbon black inks with algae-based alternatives to meet the technical requirements of the printing industry while reducing carbon emissions. The ACTExact UV Black Algae Ink incorporates Living Ink's algae black pigment, which is derived from waste algal biomass. Third-party assessments indicate a carbon footprint of -4.16 kg CO2e per kilogram of pigment.
Dr. Scott Fulbright, CEO of Living Ink Technologies, stated: "The development of the algae black pigment was about reimagining how color can serve the planet. Our long-term collaboration with Actega demonstrates how industry leaders can combine innovation and impact to deliver scalable, sustainable solutions." Ben Lux, Chief Technology Officer of Actega, added: "The ACTExact UV Black Algae Ink represents a meaningful advancement in both performance and sustainability. We are proud to introduce an ink that not only meets high production standards but also helps our customers reduce their environmental footprint."
The algae-based ink has been commercially validated by NextGen Label Group and successfully applied in the production of Waiakea's labels. Currently, the algae black pigment is limited to black options, but this project provides an example for consumer goods packaging to adopt carbon-saving technologies. Innovations for other colors are under development. The ACTExact UV Black Algae Ink is now available for trials and bulk orders through Actega, with initial supply covering North America and plans for expansion into other markets in the future.
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