ARMOR Group: Innovating Sustainable Solutions for a Greener Future

What is ARMOR Group’s IMP’ACT 2030 Project?

ARMOR Group is a global industrial powerhouse, known for its expertise in ink formulation, coating thin layers on films, and driving the circular economy. Their latest strategic commitment, IMP’ACT 2030, is all about innovation and sustainability. This century-old company, a pioneer in environmental and societal responsibility, is stepping up to tackle some of the biggest challenges facing society today. Through IMP’ACT 2030, ARMOR is focusing on producing vital components that support energy transition and sustainable development, blending industrial performance with respect for people and the planet.

Main Benefits and Key Figures of ARMOR Group

ARMOR’s impact is impressive, and here’s a quick snapshot of what makes them stand out:

• Nearly 1,900 employees spread across about 20 countries worldwide.
• Annual revenue hitting €256 million as of 2017.
• Global market leader in thermal transfer ribbons for barcode labels and traceability data.
• European leader in innovative and sustainable printing services and consumables.
• Manufacturer of ASCA® film – a flexible, semi-transparent organic photovoltaic film with minimal environmental impact.
• Committed to reducing energy consumption and promoting renewable energy solutions.

Innovation at the Heart of ARMOR Group

Innovation isn’t just a buzzword at ARMOR; it’s the very breath of the company. They believe that when a company stops questioning itself, shaking up the rules, or exploring new territories, it suffocates. Continuous innovation at every level is what fuels ARMOR’s growth and keeps it ahead in the high-tech film and printing industries. From developing cutting-edge inks to pioneering sustainable printing solutions, ARMOR is constantly pushing boundaries to meet the evolving needs of its customers and the planet.

Commitment to People and Collaboration

At its core, ARMOR is about people working for people. Whether clients, collaborators, partners, shareholders, suppliers, or even inhabitants of the same planet, everyone depends on each other. This interconnectedness drives ARMOR’s philosophy that the collective wealth produced together is far greater than the sum of individual contributions. It’s this spirit that encourages the company to say, “Nothing is impossible,” and to strive for excellence and performance in every trade.

Driving the Circular Economy and Responsible Practices

ARMOR is deeply committed to embedding sustainability into its business model. This means anchoring products in a logic of sustainable resource use and minimizing environmental impacts throughout their entire life cycle—from production to recycling. The company also focuses on responsible traceability, using secure identification solutions that respect the environment and promote responsible purchasing. Territorial solidarity is another pillar, as ARMOR works to build social links around its global locations and support societal challenges in local communities.

Project Impact on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

• SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy – through the development and deployment of ASCA® photovoltaic films.
• SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure – by fostering continuous innovation and industrial excellence.
• SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production – via circular economy initiatives and sustainable resource use.
• SDG 13: Climate Action – by reducing energy consumption and promoting renewable energy solutions.
• SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth – through the development and well-being of collaborators.
• SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals – by building strong social links and territorial solidarity worldwide.

Looking Ahead: ARMOR’s Vision for a Sustainable Future

ARMOR Group is not just manufacturing components; it’s crafting solutions for a better tomorrow. With a clear focus on societal innovation, ethics, and governance, the company adapts its organization to align with sustainable development goals. By promoting the growth and well-being of its collaborators and investing in renewable energies, ARMOR is setting a powerful example of how industry can contribute positively to the planet and society. The journey toward 2030 is well underway, and ARMOR is ready to lead the way with passion, innovation, and responsibility.

What ARMOR actually does

ARMOR GROUP is a Nantes industrial group, founded in 1922, that formulates inks and coats thin layers onto thin films. It works through four subsidiaries: ARMOR-IIMAK (thermal transfer ribbons for barcode and traceability printing, where the group says it is world number one), Armor Print Solutions under the Altkin name (responsible printing consumables), ALQIO (high-tech and innovative films) and Armor Battery Films (current collectors for batteries).

Its sustainability mechanism sits inside the products. The OWA brand sells remanufactured laser cartridges and, for every cartridge sold, commits to recycling or dismantling an equivalent used one, with components sorted and returned to industry as secondary raw materials; the full OWA collection, sorting and remanufacturing offer is QUALICERT certified. The REC’PET and REC’PET Partner programs collect inked PET film waste from thermal transfer printing, usually landfilled or incinerated, and turn it into solid recovered fuel that replaces coal or oil. ARMOR-IIMAK has also sold SolFree® ribbons, made with a solvent-free coating process, since 2008.

“La spécificité d’IMP’ACT 2030 réside dans l’intégration cohérente, dans un seul et même programme, des enjeux de rentabilité économique et ceux concernant le développement durable. Notre conviction est que l’industrie est une formidable opportunité d’apporter une contribution sociale, environnementale et économique positive !” (English: “What sets IMP’ACT 2030 apart is that it brings economic profitability and sustainable development together, coherently, in one single program. Our conviction is that industry is a tremendous opportunity to make a positive social, environmental and economic contribution!”)

Hubert de Boisredon, Chairman and CEO, ARMOR GROUP

Where ARMOR shows up

• Offices and public buyers: remanufactured OWA laser cartridges with a take-back service, cutting demand for new plastic and metal parts.
• Logistics, retail and manufacturing: thermal transfer ribbons for barcode and traceability labels, including solvent-free SolFree® ranges.
• Label printers and end users: REC’PET Partner collection of used PET ribbon film that would otherwise be landfilled or burned.
• Battery makers: coated current collectors from Armor Battery Films for battery cells.

Proof, not just claims

ARMOR has measured its greenhouse gas emissions at its French sites since 2008 and across scopes 1, 2 and 3 group-wide since 2016, and runs ISO 14001 environmental management worldwide plus ISO 50001 energy management at its La Chevrolière plant. In October 2026 it published the first company report for IMP’ACT 2030, its five-year plan with tracked ESG indicators, targets and 2025 results.

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Why this belongs on a sustainability directory

ARMOR builds circularity into its main product lines. Remanufacturing cartridges and taking back one used cartridge for each one sold cuts virgin material use and waste (SDG 12). Turning hard-to-recycle inked PET film into solid recovered fuel replaces coal and oil, and scope 1 to 3 emissions tracking plus ISO 50001 energy management tackle the group’s own footprint (SDG 13). Producing solar electricity on site, as its Indian subsidiary does, and making battery components link the group to clean energy (SDG 7).