Ito En, Carlit and Chiyoda Gravure have developed the industry’s first green tea-based printing ink, transforming upcycled tea leaves into eco-friendly gravure label printing for beverage packaging.
Tokyo, Japan: Ito En Ltd., in collaboration with Carlit Co., Ltd. and Chiyoda Gravure Co., Ltd., has announced the commercial launch of what the companies describe as the industry’s first green tea-based printing ink produced from upcycled tea leaves and tea grounds. The innovation marks a significant step toward sustainable packaging by transforming beverage production by-products into a functional printing material for labels.
The newly developed Green Tea Ink will make its commercial debut on limited-edition labels for the Ito En Oi Ocha Cup 67th Osho Tournament, beginning on July 4, 2026. The project is the result of a multi-year collaboration that started in 2020, combining Ito En’s tea by-products, Carlit’s ink manufacturing expertise, and Chiyoda Gravure’s coating and gravure printing technologies.
According to the companies, the development process addressed major technical challenges, including maintaining the natural green colour derived from tea components while preventing sediment formation in the ink. These improvements enabled print quality comparable to conventional gravure inks used for beverage packaging.
The innovation responds to growing demand for environmentally responsible packaging solutions. While packaging manufacturers have increasingly focused on sustainable substrates, the companies note that printing inks also play an important role in reducing the environmental footprint of flexible packaging. By replacing a portion of conventional ink materials with upcycled tea residues, the new formulation supports resource efficiency and circular manufacturing.
Green Tea Ink contains naturally derived tea components, including catechin and chlorophyll, which contribute to its characteristic green colour. Laboratory testing conducted in accordance with JIS Z 2801:2010 also indicated antibacterial activity on coated PET film samples against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli. The companies note that the technology is designed as a sustainable alternative for specific applications and is not intended to replace all conventional printing inks.
Beyond beverage labels, Ito En and its partners plan to evaluate the ink for additional packaging applications, including paperboard cartons and individual tea bag packaging. The broader objective is to expand the use of upcycled tea materials across packaging and printed products while supporting resource recycling initiatives.
The project also builds on Ito En’s long-running “Tea Leaf Recycling System,” under which tea leaves generated during beverage production are reused in a variety of industrial products. The company reports that approximately 59,000 tonnes of tea by-products were generated during fiscal 2024, highlighting the potential for converting agricultural waste into value-added materials for the packaging and printing industries.
The successful commercialization of Green Tea Ink demonstrates how collaboration between beverage manufacturers, ink developers and printing specialists can create practical, environmentally conscious solutions without compromising print performance. As sustainability continues to influence packaging decisions worldwide, bio-based inks developed from renewable resources may become an increasingly important area of innovation for the printing industry.
source : Ito En Ltd