In the second half of February 2017, the Israel-based Landa Group and the Germany-based Altana Group announced the latter’s acquisition of Landa’s metallography technology for an undisclosed consideration. First unveiled by Landa at its own stand at drupa 2016, the novel technology is claimed to be a sustainable alternative to foil-transfer processes, enabling metallization of graphics at up to half the cost of conventional foil stamping.
At drupa, a special unit mounted on an Omet label press was shown to highlight the process wherein a specific metallic pigment in particle form is applied in a thin layer for the metallic decoration of labels and cartons instead of foil transfer. The label and carton samples shown at drupa were clearly impressive. It is claimed that the metallography technology is faster, more economical and environmentally sustainable than conventional cold foil and hot foil stamping application.
Altana is a market leader in chemicals, special pigments, coating and adhesives including Eckart, which is well known for metallic inks and is also an investor in Landa Nano. On acquisition, Landa will progressively transfer the remaining development and engineering work to Altana’s Actega coatings and sealants division for bringing the metallography technology to market in the coming years. The development work, as well as sales and distribution, will be done by the newly founded Altana company Actega Metal Print based in Lehrte near Hanover, Germany. Jan Franz Allerkamp has been named managing director of the new company.
“We are excited about this acquisition, which opens up new growth opportunities for Altana and strengthens our position as a leading solution provider for the printing industry,” stated Martin Babilas, chief executive officer, Altana. “We are looking forward to our continued close and trustful cooperation with Landa as we prepare to bring this promising technology to market.” Dr Roland Peter, president of Actega Coatings & Sealants division of Altana added, “Landa’s metallography technology has the potential to become a sustainable mainstream technology for metallization graphics, supplanting foil-transfer in applications such as labels and folding cartons.”
Benny Landa, chairman of the Landa Group said, “We are delighted that Altana has embraced our zero-waste nano-metallography technology, for there can be no better owner for this business than Altana. As an innovative partner of its customers, Altana has a wealth of experience and know-how in graphic arts.” Landa added, “This transaction is also a testament to the outstanding collaboration between Landa and Altana, which is also our partner in Landa Digital Printing. It will enable Landa to focus on nanography, our breakthrough digital printing technology, while Altana takes over the final development work and commercialization of our metallography technology.”
We are delighted that Altana has embraced our zero-waste nanometallography technology, for there can be no better owner for this business than Altana. As an innovative partner of its customers, Altana has a wealth of experience and know-how in graphic arts.
