Collaboration Turns Coffee Waste Into Flexo Ink
A collaboration in Finland has led to an advancement in sustainable packaging. A natural biocolorant derived from roasted coffee production side streams has been success- fully used in flexographic printing on fiber-based packaging. Natural Indigo Finland, in partnership with Tampere University of Applied Sciences (TAMK), has developed a water-based ink using biocolorant extracted from coffee
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waste supplied by Finnish coffee roastery and spice pro- ducer Meira Oy. The project has progressed from laboratory research to industrial proof-of-concept, with Cabassi Oy successful- ly printing the ink on the Paptic material, which is a dura- ble, recyclable at scale, fibre-based solution designed to replace plastic. “This is a true circular economy solution. We’ve taken what was once waste and upcycled it into value, replacing synthetic colorants with a fully bio-based pigment made from coffee,” said Pasi Ainasoja, CEO of Natural Indigo Finland. This proof-of-concept is the result of 12 months of col- laborative research and development, responding to the rising demand for eco-friendly alternatives in packaging and print. As regulations tighten and the shift away from fossil-based resources accelerates, this innovation pro- vides a scalable, low-impact color solution suitable for a wide range of applications. Label Tech Installs Hontec FlexiCon press Label Tech, a label converter in the Middle East, has in- vested in a Hontec FlexiCon 8-color flexographic press. The FlexiCon 350-8C is said to feature advanced ser- vo-driven technology, precise tension control and in-line embellishment capabilities such as cold foil, lamination and varnishing. Päivi Viitaharju (TAMK), Kai Lankinen (TAMK), Satu Autio (Ada- ra Pakkaus Oy), the flexographic printer (Cabassi Oy), and Joo- na Henttonen (Cabassi Oy) with freshly printed paper packag- ing using coffee-based ink.
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June 2, 2025
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