Dec 27, 2024

The Art of Sustainability: ATIU's Less is More Philosophy

Sustainability in packaging decoration is not about adding layers of complexity. It is about stripping them away. At ATIU, this principle guides every operational decision — from the chemistry of our inks to the temperature of our curing ovens. The result is a decoration process that delivers premium visual quality while consuming fewer resources at every stage.

Water-Borne Inks: Eliminating Solvents at the Source

Traditional glass decoration relies heavily on solvent-based ink systems. These formulations release volatile organic compounds during application and curing, requiring extraction infrastructure and generating hazardous waste streams. ATIU's digital sublimation process uses water-borne inks exclusively. No solvents enter the production cycle. This eliminates VOC emissions at the source rather than treating them downstream — a fundamental shift in how decoration chemistry interacts with the environment.

For brand owners subject to REACH compliance and increasingly strict packaging regulations, this is a material advantage. The decorated glass remains fully compatible with standard recycling streams, with no residual chemicals to complicate end-of-life processing.

Low-Temperature Curing: Less Energy, Same Durability

Conventional screen printing on glass requires high-temperature firing — typically above 600 degrees Celsius — to fuse ceramic inks into the surface. ATIU's sublimation technology cures at significantly lower temperatures. The energy reduction is substantial. Lower kiln temperatures translate directly into lower gas consumption per unit, reduced thermal stress on production equipment and a smaller carbon footprint per decorated bottle or flacon.

Despite the lower process temperature, the decoration achieves excellent mechanical and chemical resistance. Dishwasher durability, UV stability and scratch resistance all meet the standards expected by luxury perfumery and premium spirits brands.

Zero-Net CO2 Since 2023

In 2023, ATIU achieved zero-net CO2 status across Scope 1, Scope 2 and Scope 3 emissions — certified by Up2You. This is not a partial offset or a Scope 1-only claim. It covers the full value chain: direct plant emissions, purchased energy and upstream supply chain activities including raw material sourcing and logistics.

For procurement teams within large groups managing ESG targets, this certification simplifies supplier qualification. ATIU provides audit-ready documentation, emissions data structured for Scope 3 reporting and traceability records that integrate into corporate sustainability frameworks. When your decoration supplier is already net-zero, one line item in your supply chain reporting is already resolved.

Digital Sublimation: Fewer Steps, Less Waste

Screen printing requires physical screens — one per colour, per design. Each screen must be produced, cleaned with solvents after use and eventually discarded. Colour changeovers generate ink waste. Setup runs consume production glass. Digital sublimation eliminates all of this. There are no screens, no plates and no physical tooling. A new design is a file, not a physical asset. Changeovers are immediate. The first bottle off the line is sellable.

This plate-free workflow means that short runs and seasonal editions carry no tooling penalty. Brands can iterate on packaging design without generating material waste — a practical expression of sustainable manufacturing that also improves commercial agility.

EcoVadis Committed

ATIU holds EcoVadis Committed status, placing the company within a recognised framework for sustainability performance assessment. EcoVadis evaluates environment, labour practices, ethics and sustainable procurement. For B2B buyers conducting supplier due diligence, this third-party rating provides an independent, standardised benchmark — particularly relevant for multinational groups that require EcoVadis scores from their supply chain partners.