Actega and Living Ink launch first UV flexo algae‑based ink

Actega and Living Ink Technologies have unveiled the first commercially available UV flexographic ink made with carbon‑negative algae‑based pigment, marking a breakthrough for sustainable packaging inks in the food and drink sector.

The launch coincides with its first commercial use on Waiākea Hawaiian Volcanic Beverages’ labels, produced by NextGen Label Group.

The new ACTExact UV Black Algae Ink replaces petroleum‑derived carbon black with Living Ink’s Algae Black pigment, which is produced from discarded algae biomass and carries a verified carbon‑negative footprint of –4.16 kg CO₂‑equivalent per kilogram. Waiākea, long considered one of the beverage industry’s sustainability frontrunners, sponsored and supported the development and will now transition all black ink across its supply chain to the algae‑based alternative.

Waiākea CEO Ryan Emmons said the innovation finally delivers the performance and carbon‑reduction potential needed for large‑scale adoption. “There was no better combination of partners whose excellence, dedication, and commitment to the mission could have brought this innovation to life,” he said.

The ink is the result of a joint development agreement between Actega and Living Ink, signed in 2024, combining bio‑based pigment expertise with industrial ink formulation capabilities. For Living Ink, the partnership marks its first formal collaboration with a major ink manufacturer and its entry into the UV flexo category — a key step toward scaling algae‑based pigments through established commercial supply chains.

Actega CTO Ben Lux said the new ink “represents a meaningful advancement in both performance and sustainability,” offering converters a drop‑in solution compatible with existing UV flexo systems.

NextGen Label Group validated the ink through extensive testing before integrating it into Waiākea’s label production, replacing 100% of the brand’s black ink. While algae‑based pigments are currently limited to black, additional colours are under development, with early brand adoption helping to accelerate R&D.

ACTExact UV Black Algae Ink is now available for trials and bulk orders in North America and the EU, with further rollouts planned. Actega is offering samples and technical support to converters and brand owners exploring low‑carbon ink alternatives.

For food and drink manufacturers under pressure to decarbonise packaging, the partnership signals a major step toward commercially viable, bio‑based colour systems — and a potential shift in how inks contribute to sustainability targets.