Digital Printing
Q&A: ACTEGA’s partnership with HP for ACTDigi LEP primer
At Labelexpo Europe 2025, ACTEGA launched its innovative, water-based ACTDigi LEP primer in partnership with HP, included in HP’s newly expanded in-line primer portfolio. Here, Dr. Thomas Sawitowski, senior vice president, flexible packaging, ACTEGA, discusses the advancements of this new primer, which was developed for HP Indigo 6k, 6k+, and 8k Digital Presses.
Q
1: Does the new ACTDigi LEP Primer comply with industry regulations? Thomas: ACTDigi LEP Primer is
compliant with numerous regulations such as the Swiss Ordinance and Nestlé’s stringent quality requirements and it is free from solvents, heavy metals, phthalates and CMR substances. Additionally, ACTEGA received the Cradle-to-Cradle material health certifi cation for ACTDigi LEP Primer, further demonstrating ACTEGA’s commitment to sustainable and safe production practices Q2: Could you tell us how evolving regulations are shaping the primer and coatings landscape in the label industry? Thomas: Regulatory changes are driving signifi cant innovation in label primers and coatings. One key regulation that has caused many label converters to rethink their choices of technology is the EU’s Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR), which instructs higher recyclability of packaging and aims to manage packaging waste. The regulation means that all packaging, including labels, must be recyclable or compostable by 2030. Coatings are playing a critical role in enabling these requirements for labels, particularly through Water-based coatings, which off er great performance while being recyclable and biodegradable.
Q3: Are there any specifi c applications that customers should consider the ACTDigi LEP Primer for? Thomas: The primer is suitable for a range of digitally printed labels and when combined with ACTEGA’s extensive OPV solutions, including UV, LED, water-based, E-Beam and solvent- based varnishes, it provides a versatile option for numerous substrates while boosting press performance.
The new ACTDigi primer also enables converters to take their products to the next level and incorporate high-impact, visual eff ects, such as hot foil stamping, once the primer has been applied. Thanks to its excellent water resistance, ACTEGA’s new primer is ideal for applications requiring durability, like beer labels. It can also be applied before thermal transfer printing to create other highly durable, long-lasting applications.
Q4: This is the latest development resulting from a long-term partnership between ACTEGA and HP. Could you summarise the excitement for both companies with the launch of this new product and what this collaboration means for the industry? TS: It’s a signifi cant milestone for both HP and ACTEGA, refl ecting our commitment to advancing print quality while delivering forward-thinking, fl exible solutions that meet the evolving needs of the labels industry. Q5: So, Dr. Sawitowski, would you tell us what the main benefi ts of the primer are? Thomas: ACTDigi LEP Primer is expertly designed for digitally printed labels, delivering optimum performance on a wide range of substrates, including coated and uncoated paper. The primer enhances ink transfer, and customers have observed improved ink adhesion on formerly challenging substrates, ensuring superior print quality for both in-line and near-line applications.
Q6: And could you tell us how easy it is to use or clean? Thomas: The approved primer is water-based and incredibly easy to use, clean and handle. It also enhances production quality by eliminating common issues like foaming and yellowing, while minimising ghost images. This ensures smooth, consistent results and supports the lifespan of the blanket and photo imaging plate.
26
November 2025
www.convertermag.com
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