The small batch coffee and bottled water company Waiākea Hawaiian Volcanic Beverages is looking to make its packaging more sustainable by using algae-based ink.
No stranger to eco-friendly innovation, Waiākea was the first beverage company to use 100% postconsumer recycled plastic back in 2012. Now, the brand is marking another first by becoming the first to print labels with algae-based ink. The sustainable ink took four years to develop and was created in partnership with Living Ink Technologies, Actega, and NextGen Label Group. ACTExact UV Black Algae Ink is a much more sustainable ink option because traditional carbon black-based ink is derived from petroleum. According to Waiākea, if all black pigment were replaced with the algae-based ink, it would be the same effect as taking 25 million cars off the road.
Sustainable Algae-Based Labels
Waiākea is the First to Print Labels with Algae-Based Ink
Trend Themes
1. Algae-based Materials - A shift toward algae-derived raw materials is enabling low-carbon alternatives to petroleum-based pigments and polymers, offering a new feedstock for sustainable product components.
2. Sustainable Packaging Inks - Growing demand for eco-friendly labeling is accelerating development of bio-based inks that reduce lifecycle emissions and reshape sourcing for printing supplies.
3. Bio-based Supply Chains - Integration of biological inputs like algae into supply networks is creating opportunities for vertically integrated producers and localized material sourcing models.
Industry Implications
1. Beverage Packaging - Bottled drink brands adopting algae-based labels can lower packaging carbon footprints and differentiate on sustainability credentials in a crowded market.
2. Printing and Labeling - Label manufacturers switching to bio-derived inks are positioned to disrupt commodity pricing and regulatory compliance dynamics within the print supply chain.
3. Cosmetics and Personal Care - Personal care companies using algae-based pigments and containers could create cleaner ingredient narratives and reduce dependence on petrochemical-derived packaging.