Actega Metal Print has named Paolo Grasso as its new sales director.
Actega Metal Print is the part of Altana’s Actega division dedicated to developing sustainable embellishment technologies. EcoLeaf is based on Landa’s Nano-Metallography, which was acquired by Actega and commercialised, and is claimed as a, ‘sustainable, cost effective metallisation solution.’ The basis of EcoLeaf is a silver pigment that can be overprinted, leading to a rainbow of metallic colours, including gold. Integrated inline on analogue presses, digital printing presses or finishing equipment – either new or retrofitted to existing equipment – EcoLeaf consists of a printed trigger image and a metallisation unit that applies only the precise and required amount of metal to the trigger image. The next step in the technology’s development will include bringing a digital option to market, using an inkjet printed trigger image to deliver variable metallisation.
Mr Grasso brings 26 years of experience to the role, which was recently vacated by Dario Urbinati who has now returned to Gallus. Mr Grasso was previously head of global sales at Italian narrow web press manufacturer Omet.
With the role commencing in July 2021, Mr Grasso will be tasked with helping the business to scale up its go-to-market programme by expanding its OEM channel partner network, finding additional distribution partners, growing its install base, and expanding EcoLeaf’s availability in new geographic territories.
He said, ‘While I have had an amazing 18 years with Omet, it was time for a new challenge, and I couldn’t think of anything more worthwhile than helping to bring EcoLeaf to the world stage.
‘Working in the narrow web market, I had obviously heard of the Actega Metal Print technology and its much talked about potential, but now that I know more, I can see how transformative it is. With my experience of the market and having heard the feedback from our beta customers, I’m convinced that EcoLeaf is the answer to solving one of the biggest sustainability issues in the graphic arts – foil waste – and in doing so, providing brands with what they need to support their corporate responsibility programmes.’
Actega Metal Print CEO Jan Franz Allerkamp said, ‘We are thrilled to have secured Paolo for the role. His knowledge of the narrow web market is excellent, and his experience of growing Greenfield territories will be critical as we now move into full commercialisation and scale the business to meet its global demand.’
