藻墨革命

美國瓶裝水品牌 Waiākea Hawaiian Volcanic Beverages 近日宣布推出以藻類為基礎的環保油墨標籤，成為全球首家將該技術商業化應用於產品包裝的飲料企業。此舉被視為消費性包裝產業邁向低碳轉型的重要創新里程碑，也反映品牌試圖以技術創新重塑飲料產業永續標準的戰略方向。

U.S.-based beverage company Waiākea Hawaiian Volcanic Beverages has announced the commercial launch of algae-based ink labels, becoming the first company globally to implement the technology at scale in consumer packaging. The move marks a significant milestone in low-carbon innovation within the beverage and broader consumer packaged goods (CPG) sector.

該項藻類油墨技術由 Living Ink Technologies、Actega 與 NextGen Label Group 合作開發，歷時四年研發完成。相較傳統以石油為原料製成的碳黑油墨，新型藻類油墨大幅降低對化石燃料的依賴。公司指出，若全球黑色顏料全面轉換為此類替代方案，其減碳效益相當於減少約2,500萬輛汽車的排放量。

The algae-based pigment was developed over four years through a collaboration with Living Ink Technologies, Actega, and NextGen Label Group. Unlike traditional carbon black ink derived from petroleum, the new solution reduces reliance on fossil-based inputs. According to the company, replacing global black pigment supply with algae-based alternatives could deliver emissions reductions equivalent to removing approximately 25 million cars from the road.

Waiākea執行長 Ryan Emmons 表示，企業創新不僅體現在產品或行銷層面，更應延伸至供應鏈與材料選擇。「我們希望將Waiākea打造為推動產業轉型的催化劑，不僅限於瓶裝水，更涵蓋整體消費性產品（CPG）產業，」他指出。

CEO Ryan Emmons emphasized that innovation extends beyond product development into supply chain and material transformation. He noted that the company aims to position itself as a catalyst for industry-wide change, not only within bottled water but across the broader CPG landscape.

Strategically, Waiākea has opted not to retain exclusive intellectual property rights over the technology. Instead, it is open-sourcing the algae ink through its partners, enabling broader adoption across industries and accelerating the transition toward more sustainable packaging solutions. The company also plans to expand into additional pigment variations in the coming years.

在商業策略上，Waiākea選擇不對該技術主張專利獨占，而是透過合作夥伴進行開源推廣，開放其他品牌採用，藉此擴大技術影響力並加速產業轉型。公司同時規劃未來推出更多顏色的藻類油墨，以拓展應用場景。

除了包裝創新，Waiākea長期布局循環材料體系。該公司於2012年即率先導入100%消費後回收塑膠（rPET）瓶，並開發供應鏈追蹤系統以降低運輸碳足跡。其「Oceanplast」瓶裝原料來自沿海高風險塑膠廢棄物，透過回收、清洗與再製流程轉化為rPET顆粒，再製成新瓶，形成封閉式循環。

在市場競爭方面，美國瓶裝水市場長期由 Perrier、Aquafina 與 Dasani 等大型品牌主導。相較競爭對手多以功能性成分或產品差異化切入，Waiākea則以「環境科技（enviro-tech）」定位，強調永續價值作為品牌核心競爭力。

Beyond label innovation, Waiākea has consistently invested in circular material systems. It was an early adopter of 100% post-consumer recycled polyethylene terephthalate (rPET) bottles and has developed supply chain tracking software to minimize transportation-related emissions. Its Oceanplast bottles are produced from plastic waste collected from coastal communities at high risk of ocean leakage, processed into rPET pellets, and remanufactured into new packaging.

In a highly competitive U.S. bottled water market dominated by brands such as Perrier, Aquafina, and Dasani, Waiākea differentiates itself through a sustainability-driven “enviro-tech” positioning. While many competitors focus on functional ingredients or product features, Waiākea is leveraging environmental innovation as its primary value proposition.

公司亦計畫於今年推出含回收材料的玻璃瓶系列，並設計為可重複使用模式，以進一步降低一次性包裝依賴。同時，產品本身主打天然過濾優勢，其水源經過約14,000英尺火山岩層自然過濾，具弱鹼性並富含電解質，符合當前健康與機能飲品趨勢。

The company also plans to launch a limited glass product line incorporating recycled content and designed for reuse, further reducing dependence on single-use packaging. Its core water product is naturally filtered through 14,000 feet of volcanic rock, resulting in alkaline, electrolyte-rich water aligned with current health and wellness trends.

在資本布局方面，Waiākea於年初完成1,100萬美元融資，投資人包括多位職業運動員，如 Tetairoa McMillan、Devin Williams 與 Jerami Grant 等，並吸引 Aaron Judge、Myles Garrett 與 Klay Thompson 等體育明星參與。公司表示，透過運動員合作有助於拓展品牌觸及，並強化與重視永續價值消費者之連結。

On the financial front, Waiākea recently closed an $11 million funding round, attracting investment from professional athletes including Tetairoa McMillan, Devin Williams, and Jerami Grant, as well as Aaron Judge, Myles Garrett, and Klay Thompson. The company stated that athlete partnerships help expand brand reach while reinforcing alignment with sustainability-focused consumers.

儘管當前部分企業在政治與市場壓力下淡化ESG表述，Waiākea仍持續強化其永續策略。公司認為，當永續理念內化為企業核心文化時，不僅有助於品牌差異化，也能提升消費者黏著度與長期競爭力。

Despite a broader trend of companies downplaying ESG messaging amid political polarization, Waiākea continues to emphasize sustainability as a core brand pillar. The company believes that embedding sustainability into its corporate ethos strengthens long-term competitiveness and deepens consumer loyalty.

整體而言，Waiākea以材料創新、循環經濟與開放技術策略，試圖重新定義飲料產業的永續標準。其能否帶動更多企業跟進，將成為觀察消費品包裝低碳轉型的重要指標。

Overall, Waiākea’s strategy - combining material innovation, circular economy practices, and open-source technology - positions it as a potential catalyst for redefining sustainability standards in the global beverage industry.