ACTEGA and Living Ink Technologies in partnership with have developed the first UV flexographic Ink for CPG labels made with carbon-negative, algae-based pigment. The launch of ACTExact® UV Black Algae Ink comes in tandem with its first commercial application: beverage labels printed by NextGen Label Group™ for the brand many consider to be the enviro-tech leader of the bottled water and larger beverage industry, Waiākea Hawaiian Volcanic Beverages.
The brand first began R&D with Living Ink Technologies five years ago, aiming to replace petroleum-based carbon black ink with an algae-derived alternative for all flexographic applications.
“Waiākea has tested and co-developed a number of sustainable inks and rigid materials over the last decade. None have met the performance standards and the carbon-reduction potential needed for widespread adoption. ACTExact® UV Black Algae Ink finally checks both boxes,” said Ryan Emmons, Co-Founder and CEO of Waiākea Hawaiian Volcanic Beverages. “There was no better combination of partners whose excellence, dedication and commitment to the mission could have brought this innovation to life.”
ACTExact® UV Black Algae Ink is the latest addition to ACTEGA’s popular ACTExact® product family – flexographic inks designed for improved press performance, consistency and ease of use. The new formulation integrates Living Ink’s Algae Black™ pigment, derived from discarded algae biomass and proven through a third-party Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) to be carbon-negative, with a net footprint of -4.16 kg CO₂-equivalent per kilogram of pigment.
Living Ink has spent years formulating and commercialising a range of Algae Ink™ systems in-house for conventional flexographic, screen and offset printing applications. These formulations have been used successfully across apparel, packaging and publication projects with a growing list of sustainability-forward brands.
However, this joint development agreement with ACTEGA marks the company’s first formal collaboration with an industry-renowned ink manufacturer and its entrance into the UV flexo product category – an important step toward expanding access and scalability through trusted commercial supply chains.
“Algae Black™ pigment was developed to reimagine how colour can serve the planet,” said Dr. Scott Fulbright, CEO and Co-founder of Living Ink Technologies. “Our long-term collaboration with ACTEGA demonstrates how industry leaders can unite innovation and impact to deliver scalable, sustainable solutions.”
“ACTExact® UV Black Algae Ink represents a meaningful advancement in both performance and sustainability,” said Ben Lux, CTO of ACTEGA. “Guided by our unwavering commitment to innovation and environmental stewardship, we’re proud to bring to market an ink that not only meets high production standards but also helps our customers reduce their environmental footprint and contribute to a more sustainable future for our industry.”
While Algae Black™ pigment is currently limited to black-only options, this project replaced 100% of Waiākea’s black ink with ACTExact® UV Black Algae Ink, marking a milestone example for brand adoption of emerging carbon-saving technologies in consumer packaged goods. Additional colour innovations are under development, and early brand investment, like this first-use application, helps support Living Ink’s ongoing R&D efforts to scale a broader range of bio-based pigments in the future.
Initial availability includes North America and the European Union, with additional geographic rollouts planned. Packaging converters and brand teams can request samples and integration support directly from ACTEGA.