DataLase
DataLase Limited is a UK-based specialty materials company that supplies patented laser-reactive coatings, pigments, and VAReLase laser systems enabling inkless coding and decoration of packaging for brand owners, converters, and manufacturers across food, beverage, pharma, and consumer goods verticals.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1987
- HeadquartersWidnes, United Kingdom
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What DataLase does
DataLase Limited is a UK-based specialty materials company that develops and supplies laser-reactive coatings, pigments, and masterbatch additives used to mark and code products and packaging without conventional inks, solvents, or labels. Its proprietary Photonic Printing technology uses patented colour-change pigments that activate under specific CO2, fibre, and UV laser wavelengths to produce permanent, high-contrast marks at the point of packing or filling, on substrates including corrugate, paper, films, metals, PET, PP, and PC. Hardware offerings under the VAReLase brand combine DataLase coatings with linear-array laser systems capable of up to 2m/s print speeds for variable data, QR codes, and decorative applications across label, cup, and case formats.
The company sells into brand owners, packaging converters, and manufacturers across food and beverage, pharmaceutical, medical, personal care, household, metal packaging, and corrugated packaging verticals, targeting sustainability-driven elimination of label backing waste, thermal ribbons, and ink consumables. Go-to-market combines direct enterprise sales with a global distribution channel of tier-1 ink and coating manufacturers (Wikoff, Flint Group, Siegwerk, Huber Group, Actega), a certified Printer/Converter scheme (Cepac as first certified converter), and trade-show-led demand generation at Metpack, UK Packaging Expo, SuperCorrExpo, and ThePackHub. Revenue is generated through product sales of coatings, pigment additives, and VAReLase hardware systems, plus certification and technical services.
Following a November 2025 acquisition of 90% shareholding by Sweden's Bergman & Beving Group AB (with CEO Clare Lewis retaining 10%), DataLase operates as part of the parent's Safety Technology division, providing it with access to a network of approximately 40 companies in 25+ countries. The business holds ISO 9001:2015 certification, RecyClass Grade A certification for plastic bottle recyclability (valid through 2026), and an EcoVadis Committed Badge, positioning its technology against regulatory and ESG procurement requirements in packaging supply chains.
DataLase firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- DataLase
- Legal name
- DataLase Limited
- Website
- https://datalase.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1987
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- DataLase Limited is a UK-based specialty materials company that supplies patented laser-reactive coatings, pigments, and VAReLase laser systems enabling inkless coding and decoration of packaging for brand owners, converters, and manufacturers across food, beverage, pharma, and consumer goods verticals.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
DataLase industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Industrial Laser Coding and Marking Materials
- NAICS
- Synthetic Dye and Pigment Manufacturing (325130), Paint and Coating Manufacturing (32551)
- SIC
- Paints, Varnishes, Lacquers, Enamels & Allied Prods (2851), Miscellaneous Chemical Products (2890)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Pigments & Dyes (IMAEAHAJ)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Digital & Specialty Inks (Inkjet, UV, Conductive) (IMAEAHAI), Packaging Inks (IMAEAHAH)
Keywords
Where DataLase is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Widnes
- HQ country
- United Kingdom
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices1 record
Markets served
DataLase business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Technology or R&D, Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain
Revenue model
- Laser-Reactive Coatings and Pigments: DataLase manufactures and supplies laser-reactive coatings and pigment additives that are applied by converters during printing. These are sold directly and through distribution partners (Wikoff, Flint Group, Siegwerk, Huber Group, etc.).
- Masterbatch Additive: Functional masterbatch additive integrated into plastic products during manufacturing, enabling laser marking on plastic packaging without labels.
- VAReLase Systems: VAReLase Label and Cup Solutions combine DataLase coatings with laser systems for high-speed variable data printing. Revenue may include hardware, integration, and ongoing consumables.
- Certification and Technical Services: DataLase offers certification schemes for printers/converters and provides technical support services.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Multi-year contract | B2B enterprise pricing - quote-based |
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels8 records
DataLase product offering
Product offeringCore offering
DataLase manufactures and supplies laser-reactive coatings, pigment additives and masterbatch products that enable inkless printing and coding on packaging and products. Its Photonic Printing technology uses patented colour-change pigments that are activated by CO2, fibre or UV lasers, allowing variable data, QR codes, date/lot codes and graphics to be printed at the point of packing without inks, solvents or labels. The company sells coatings and pigment additives directly and through a global network of ink and coating distributors.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- VAReLase Label Solutions: Photonic printing solutions for variable data printing on labels at point of pack, enabling brands to print graphics, QR codes, and unique identifiers at production-line speeds.
- VAReLase Cup Solutions
- DataLase Masterbatch Additive
Products and services
- Laser-Reactive Coatings Patented laser-reactive coatings for corrugated, paper, film, metal and plastic substrates. Applied during flexographic or gravure printing and activated by lasers to produce permanent high-contrast variable data, QR codes, date/lot codes and graphics without inks, solvents or labels. Sold to brand owners, packaging converters and printers via direct sales and global ink/coating distributors.
- Clear-to-White Coatings Biodegradable, sustainably sourced clear-to-white colour-change coating that serves as a metal-free alternative to titanium dioxide. Compatible with flexographic and gravure printing processes, providing high opacity and precise print quality for label-free packaging decoration.
- Dual Colour Masterbatch for Clear Plastics Single pigment masterbatch additive enabling both clear-to-white and clear-to-black colour transitions using a single pulsed fibre laser source, for inline laser marking on clear plastic packaging without labels.
- DataLase Masterbatch Additive Functional masterbatch additive integrated into plastic products and packaging during manufacturing to enable inline laser coding and marking, eliminating labels on rigid plastic packaging and flexible films.
- VAReLase Label Solutions Photonic printing solution combining DataLase laser-reactive coatings with a linear-array laser system featuring hundreds of individually addressable beams. Enables high-speed variable data printing of graphics, QR codes and unique identifiers at point of pack, including roll-fed and pressure-sensitive label applications.
- VAReLase Cup Solutions Photonic printing solution for personalising cup and container packaging at point of sale, enabling brand engagement campaigns through unique consumer experiences and pairing with a global supply chain data analytics partner for personalised packaging in retail environments.
- TamperTech Smart Tamper-Evident Tape Tamper-evident tape integrating DataLase's photonic printing technology with TamperTech, providing security, authentication and tracking functionality in a single solution for supply chain security applications.
- Case Coding Solutions Laser marking solution for coding directly onto corrugated cases and boxes, eliminating the need for print-and-apply labels, inkjet ink and thermal ribbons in shipping and shelf-ready packaging applications.
- Nordson ICS Spray-Applied Laser Marking Solution Spray-applied laser marking solution for bottles and containers that combines DataLase laser-reactive coatings with Nordson precision spray technology, enabling uniform, label-free direct-to-pack laser imaging across different container shapes and materials at production-line speeds.
Quantifiable outcome
- For every 1m of typical shipping labels (100x150mm), 300 Km of backing waste is produced. Scaled to production environments, this equates to thousands of Km of backing and thermal ribbon waste.
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use DataLase
Customer profileNamed customers1 record
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
DataLase technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature6 records
DataLase partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Nordson Industrial Coating Solutions (ICS)coreProduct collaboration to develop sustainable spray-applied laser marking solutions for bottles and containers. Combines DataLase's proprietary laser-reactive coatings with Nordson's precision spray technology. Enables label-free direct-to-pack laser imaging for graphics, QR codes, and date codes. Demonstrated at Metpack 2026.
- TamperTechcoreStrategic partnership to integrate DataLase's photonic printing technology into tamper-evident tape. First time DataLase technology incorporated into tamper tape, combining security, authentication, and tracking. Reduces need for additional labels, conventional sealing tapes, and wet printing processes.
- CepaccoreCepac is the first certified Printer/Converter of DataLase technology. Underwent intensive three-day training including coating and technical trials. Provides DataLase-coated boxes to end customers with quality assurance. Subject to annual audits to maintain certification.
- Wikoff Color CorporationcoreGlobal printing ink manufacturer distributing DataLase laser-reactive coatings to printers and converters.
- Flint GroupcoreGlobal printing ink manufacturer distributing DataLase laser-reactive coatings to printers and converters.
- SiegwerkcoreGlobal printing ink manufacturer distributing DataLase laser-reactive coatings to printers and converters.
- Huber GroupcoreGlobal printing ink manufacturer distributing DataLase laser-reactive coatings to printers and converters.
- ActegacoreGlobal coatings specialist distributing DataLase laser-reactive coatings to printers and converters.
- Leading Global Bottling Line SuppliercoreDataLase partnered with a leading global supplier of bottling lines and labelling solutions to bring VARePRINT for rollfed and pressure sensitive labels to market.
- Global Supply Chain Data Analytic CompanyminorDataLase partnered with a global supply chain data analytic company to bring a new platform for digital communication combining VAReLase Cup Solutions with advanced analytics for personalised packaging in retail environments.
Scale indicators6 records
Recent moves2 records
Expansion highlights6 records
DataLase competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Videojet Technologies: A Dover Corporation business supplying industrial marking and coding systems including laser markers and inkjet printers. Directly comparable to DataLase in target customers (FMCG, pharma, packaging converters) and in offering laser-based coding at production-line speeds.
- Linx Printing Technologies: Provider of continuous inkjet (CIJ), laser, and thermal transfer overprinters for product identification and traceability. Directly comparable to DataLase in serving packaging line customers with coding and marking hardware and consumables.
- Domino Printing Sciences: UK-based industrial coding and marking specialist offering CIJ, laser, and thermal inkjet solutions. Directly competes with DataLase in providing variable data coding on packaging lines for food, beverage, and pharmaceutical customers globally.
- Markem-Imaje: A Dover Corporation business and one of the world's largest industrial coding and marking solution providers. Directly comparable to DataLase as it offers laser, inkjet, and print-and-apply systems used by the same FMCG, pharmaceutical, and packaging converter customers that DataLase targets.
Emerging players
- Squid Ink Manufacturing: US-based manufacturer of industrial inkjet coding and marking systems, including laser marking. Comparable to DataLase as a focused, smaller-scale provider of variable data coding solutions for packaging and product marking applications.
Others
- Flint Group: Global supplier of printing inks and coatings that is also a DataLase distribution partner. Adjacent peer because it develops competing flexographic, gravure, and digital ink chemistries and could potentially commercialise laser-reactive alternatives to DataLase pigments.
- Siegwerk: Global printing ink manufacturer providing packaging inks and coatings. Comparable as both a current DataLase distribution partner and a potential competitive threat if it internalises a competing laser-activated colour change formulation.
Broad incumbents
- Xeikon (Flint Group): Digital dry-toner and inkjet press manufacturer serving label and packaging converters. Comparable to DataLase in providing variable data digital printing solutions for the same packaging converter customer base, though using a different print technology.
- Sun Chemical: One of the world's largest producers of printing inks and pigments, serving packaging, publication, and industrial markets. Comparable to DataLase in pigment chemistry capability and packaging customer base, though its portfolio is broader and not laser-specific.
- Hewlett-Packard (HP Industrial Printing): Major digital printing OEM offering industrial presses and related consumables. Comparable to DataLase as a broad incumbent in digital/inkjet printing serving packaging and label converters, with the resources to develop laser-activated alternatives.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
DataLase social profiles
Digital presenceDataLase financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
DataLase leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles8 records
DataLase funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds2 records
Investors4 records
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
DataLase M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about DataLase
What does DataLase do?
DataLase manufactures and supplies laser-reactive coatings, pigment additives and masterbatch products that enable inkless printing and coding on packaging and products. Its Photonic Printing technology uses patented colour-change pigments that are activated by CO2, fibre or UV lasers, allowing variable data, QR codes, date/lot codes and graphics to be printed at the point of packing without inks, solvents or labels. The company sells coatings and pigment additives directly and through a global network of ink and coating distributors.
Is DataLase a public or private company?
DataLase is a private company. It is classified as corporate owned and is currently operating.
When was DataLase founded?
DataLase was founded in 1987. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is DataLase based?
DataLase is headquartered in Widnes, United Kingdom, in the Europe region.
How does DataLase make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Laser-Reactive Coatings and Pigments are the primary driver. The others are masterbatch Additive, VAReLase Systems and certification and Technical Services.
Who are DataLase's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Videojet Technologies, Linx Printing Technologies, Domino Printing Sciences and Markem-Imaje. Squid Ink Manufacturing is listed as an emerging player. Others are Flint Group and Siegwerk. Broad incumbents are Xeikon (Flint Group), Sun Chemical and Hewlett-Packard (HP Industrial Printing).
Does DataLase have an API?
No public API is recorded for DataLase.
What industry is DataLase in?
DataLase's product category is Industrial Laser Coding and Marking Materials. Its primary akta.pro industry code is IMAEAHAJ, Pigments & Dyes, with a secondary code of IMAEAHAI, Digital & Specialty Inks (Inkjet, UV, Conductive). Its NAICS code is 325130 and its SIC code is 2851.