Actega unveils coatings that slash energy, ditch PVC, and redefine metal printing

A focus of Actega’s exhibition (Hall 3, stand 3C55) is its next-generation ActNext line of advanced UV and UV/LED energy-curing coatings.

Designed for general line, aerosol cans, and specific food can exteriors, ActNext eliminates the need for large, energy-intensive drying ovens. This single innovation is projected to lower carbon footprints, reduce VOC emissions, and maximise line efficiency without sacrificing surface quality or performance. 

Jorg Mahn, head of business line metal packaging solutions at Actega, emphasised that these latest solutions are “set to shape the future of metal packaging production.”

For food and beverage closures, Actega is tackling tightening regulations head-on. Its patented Provalin compound portfolio is the industry’s only proven PVC- and plasticiser-free solution for metal vacuum closures, making it particularly critical for sensitive applications like baby food. This holistic approach ensures maximum compatibility by pairing Provalin with internal coatings like Actecoat and Actebond, simplifying both the supply chain and production.

On the beverage side, Actega is addressing the shift away from BPA-based coatings driven by regulations like EU 2024/3190. The company’s portfolio includes advanced BPA-NI and PFAS-NI coatings and sustainable compounds with options ranging from reduced fossil content to biodegradable concepts. 

Furthermore, the Svelon 835 ULG coating enables the use of ultra-low gauge crowns (0.15-mm), reducing steel consumption and lowering both costs and carbon footprint. The Intellox family completes the portfolio with PVC-free compounds for crown corks that enable secure QR code integration and offer good filling protection via oxygen scavenger technology.

The push for sustainable, efficient packaging extends to the can body itself. Actega is highlighting its Artistica water-based beverage end sealants, which are formulated with renewable raw materials and zero VOCs. The Artistica RB1006 Z3 sealant is the first sealant for beverage cans to achieve Cradle to Cradle Material Health Platinum certification. These sealants also offer up to 20% material savings by using the lowest dry film weights on the market.

Pairing this material innovation is the award-winning Rotarflow technology, a digital system that controls, adjusts, and monitors the sealant application in real-time. This level of precision minimises manual checks, narrows specifications, reduces spoilage, and accelerates QC decisions.

But perhaps the most disruptive innovation is Innocan, developed in partnership with HP Indigo and Vislo. This unique digital printing technology enables offset-quality printing on metal, finally making cost-effective short-to-medium runs a reality and facilitating full serialisation and personalisation. 

As Jose Trigo, head of global market management, cans food and cans, Americas, states, “For years, short runs and high customisation have been the Achilles’ heel of metal packaging. Innocan alters that paradigm entirely.”

Finally, for brand differentiation at the point of sale, Actega will showcase its Actstar special effect inks. These inks are compliant for indirect food contact and feature thermochromic, tactile, and fluorescent effects to create interactive, sensory packaging experiences. 

Actega’s display at Metpack promises to demonstrate how material science and digital technology are converging to deliver a more compliant, sustainable, and flexible production line.