Laser etching: precision, branding and decorative effects

In luxury packaging, details make the difference. A distinctive logo, refined text engraving or decorative effect can transform a product from ordinary to exceptional. Consumers increasingly associate packaging quality with product quality, making decoration an important part of the overall brand experience.

Vacumetal offers, we offer high-precision laser etching solutions that enhance the appearance and value of luxury glass & plastic packaging.

Creating distinctive designs with laser etching

Laser etching is a versatile technology that allows for detailed and permanent markings on glass & plastic surfaces. By selectively removing part of a metallised or lacquered layer, unique designs, logos, text and decorative effects can be created with exceptional accuracy.

The process offers endless possibilities for brands looking to strengthen their visual identity while maintaining a premium appearance.

Whether it is a subtle logo, elegant text engraving or a complex decorative pattern, laser etching provides a high-end finish that attracts attention and reinforces brand recognition.

Precision and consistency at scale

One of the key advantages of laser etching is its accuracy. Our advanced laser technology delivers high-resolution results with excellent repeatability, ensuring that every product meets the same high standard.

Combined with our automated production processes, this allows us to produce both small and large volumes while maintaining consistent quality throughout every production run.

The result is a decoration process that is not only visually impressive, but also reliable and efficient.

Adding value to luxury packaging

For fragrance, cosmetics, spirits and other luxury products, packaging plays a crucial role in creating a premium consumer experience.

Laser etching allows brands to add unique visual elements without compromising the elegance of the packaging design. The permanent nature of the engraving ensures that logos, text and decorative effects remain sharp and durable throughout the product's lifecycle.

By combining metallization and laser etching, brands can create striking contrasts and sophisticated visual effects that help products stand out on the shelf.

Quality at every step

At Vacumetal, quality is at the heart of everything we do. Our production processes are supported by ISO 9001 and ISO 14001 certified management systems, ensuring strict quality control throughout the entire production chain.

Our quality laboratory performs extensive testing on raw materials, during production and on finished products. Only products that meet all requirements and specifications are approved for shipment.

This structured approach enables us to deliver the same high-quality result, time after time.

Your partner in high-end laser etching

As a European specialist in decorative surface finishing, Vacumetal combines advanced technologies with decades of experience to support leading brands in luxury packaging.

From logos and text engraving to decorative effects, our laser etching solutions help create packaging that strengthens brand identity and elevates product presentation.

Would you like to discover how laser etching can enhance your packaging design?

Feel free to contact us and explore the possibilities.

Sustainability, compliance and continuous improvement

At Vacumetal, quality, sustainability and responsible business practices are not one-time initiatives. They are an integral part of how we operate, innovate and support our customers every day.

To ensure that we continue to meet the highest standards, we regularly engage independent external experts to assess our culture, processes and overall performance. These assessments help us identify opportunities for improvement, strengthen our management systems and ensure alignment with internationally recognised standards.

Independent assessments confirm our progress
During the past quarter, Vacumetal successfully completed two independent assessments under the EcoVadis and SMETA (Pillar 4) frameworks.

We are proud to share that we achieved the EcoVadis Gold Medal, placing Vacumetal among the top 5% of participating organisations worldwide. This recognition reflects our commitment to sustainability, ethical business practices and continuous improvement.

Vacumetal awarded EcoVadis Gold Medal

In parallel, a SMETA (Sedex Members Ethical Trade Audit) assessment was completed. The resulting Corrective Action Plan identified a limited number of observations, which are currently being addressed in a timely and structured manner.

Most importantly, both assessments confirmed our compliance with all applicable legal and regulatory requirements, further validating the effectiveness and reliability of our management systems.

The SMETA Corrective Action Plan report identified a limited number of observations

Sustainability as a continuous journey

While we are pleased with these results, we view them as milestones rather than end goals.

Sustainability, compliance and operational excellence require continuous attention and commitment. That is why we continue to invest in cleaner technologies, responsible sourcing, employee development and transparent business practices.

As part of our ongoing sustainability strategy, we are also focused on further strengthening our performance within the CDP (Carbon Disclosure Project) framework and expanding initiatives that contribute to a more sustainable future.

Looking ahead

In the coming years, Vacumetal will continue to build on this progress through new initiatives focused on:

By continuously challenging ourselves and measuring our performance against recognised international standards, we ensure that we remain a reliable and responsible partner for our customers, suppliers and employees.

Building a sustainable future together

We believe that sustainability is strengthened through collaboration and knowledge sharing. Working closely with customers, suppliers and partners allows us to learn from each other and create greater impact throughout the value chain.

At Vacumetal, we remain committed to delivering high-end decoration solutions while continuously improving the way we operate, today and for future generations.

Vacumetal awarded EcoVadis Gold Medal

Vacumetal is proud to announce that it has been awarded the EcoVadis Gold Medal for 2026. This achievement places Vacumetal among the top 5% of companies assessed worldwide by EcoVadis, one of the world's most trusted providers of business sustainability ratings.

For several consecutive years, Vacumetal achieved the EcoVadis Silver rating. Reaching Gold status marks an important milestone in our sustainability journey and reflects our ongoing commitment to responsible business practices.

Vacumetal awarded EcoVadis Gold Medal

A recognition of continuous improvement

At Vacumetal, sustainability is not a separate initiative. It is an integral part of how we operate, innovate and grow as a company.

The EcoVadis assessment evaluates organisations across four key areas: Environment, Labour & Human Rights, Ethics and Sustainable Procurement.

"We are incredibly proud of this achievement. It reflects the dedication of our entire team and the investments we have made over many years in quality, sustainability and responsible manufacturing," says Gilbert Schuurmans, CEO of Vacumetal.

Sustainability in practice

As a specialist in high-end decoration for glass and plastic packaging, Vacumetal continuously invests in cleaner technologies and more sustainable production methods.

Our sustainability efforts include:

These initiatives support our ambition to combine premium quality with responsible manufacturing.

Gold is a milestone, not a finish line

While we are proud of this achievement, we see the EcoVadis Gold Medal as a milestone rather than a destination.

Sustainability is a continuous journey. We will continue to invest in innovation, cleaner technologies and responsible business practices while working closely with our employees, customers and suppliers to create lasting positive impact.

With our ambition to become increasingly sustainable and contribute to a more responsible future, we are already looking ahead to the next step in our sustainability journey.

About Vacumetal

Founded in 1966, Vacumetal is a family-owned company based in Oosterhout, the Netherlands. As a European specialist in metallizing, lacquering and laser etching, Vacumetal supports leading brands in the cosmetics, fragrances, spirits and luxury packaging industries.

With nearly 60 years of experience, advanced technologies and a strong focus on quality and sustainability, Vacumetal continues to deliver high-end decoration solutions that add value to premium products worldwide.

Reducing impact with very low VOC and CO₂ emissions

Sustainability is an integral part of how Vacumetal operates. For many years, we have been actively working to reduce our environmental footprint by improving processes, investing in technology and making conscious material choices.

A key result of these efforts is our ability to operate with very low VOC emissions and significant CO₂ reduction.

Very low VOC emissions
Volatile Organic Compounds, also known as VOCs, are an important focus within industrial production processes. At Vacumetal, we have invested in advanced technologies and filtration systems to minimise these emissions as much as possible.

Today, our VOC emissions are reduced to less than 1 mg/m³, which is significantly below standard industry levels. This contributes not only to a cleaner environment, but also to a safer and healthier workplace for our people.

Significant CO₂ reduction
In addition to reducing VOC emissions, Vacumetal has achieved a CO₂ reduction of more than 70% over the years. This has been made possible through continuous optimisation of our production processes, the use of energy-efficient systems and the transition to more sustainable energy sources.

By combining these efforts, we contribute to a more responsible and future-proof production environment.

Continuous improvement
Reducing environmental impact is not a one-time achievement, but an ongoing process. At Vacumetal, we continuously look for new ways to further improve efficiency, reduce emissions and innovate in sustainable production.

Our ambition is clear: to combine high-end decoration with responsible manufacturing, without compromising on quality or performance.


Sustainability in practice
By achieving very low VOC emissions and significant CO₂ reduction, we demonstrate that sustainability and high-quality production can go hand in hand.

We remain committed to further improving our processes and supporting our customers with solutions that are not only visually outstanding, but also environmentally responsible. We are aware that 2030 is coming, we are working hard for it!

Would you like to learn more about our sustainable approach?
Feel free to contact us.

Metallization at scale with consistent quality

Metallization plays a key role in creating high-end packaging that stands out. Whether it is a metallic look, partial decoration or translucent effects, the right application enhances both the visual appeal and the perceived value of a product.

At Vacumetal, we combine advanced technology with in-house expertise to deliver stable, high-quality metallization processes at scale.

Full, partial and translucent metallization
Our fully automated in-line production lines are designed to deliver consistent results, every single time. Equipped with modern technologies such as plasma pre-treatment, magnetron sputtering and UV lacquering systems, we ensure optimal adhesion, precision and finish.

Thanks to digital process control, we achieve exceptional reproducibility. This means that whether you produce small batches or large volumes, the result remains the same. Reliable, stable and of the highest quality.

Built on in-house expertise
What sets Vacumetal apart is our strong in-house capability. With our own sampling line, colouring lab and tooling department, we are able to respond quickly and accurately to customer requirements.

Our technicians specialise in colour matching and surface finishing, ensuring that every product meets the desired look and feel. At the same time, we continuously develop CMR-free and solvent free raw materials and test new lacquers and technologies to stay ahead in innovation and sustainability.

With our in-house 3D printing department, equipped to rapidly develop tooling, we accelerate the transition from concept to production and significantly reduce time to market.

Quality without compromise
Quality is at the core of everything we do. Vacumetal is ISO 9001 and ISO 14001 certified and follows strict quality procedures throughout the entire production process.

Our fully equipped quality lab performs extensive testing on raw materials, during production and on finished products. Only when all specifications are met, products are approved and released for shipment.

This structured approach ensures that our customers can rely on consistent quality, every time.

Reliable performance in every production run
With fully automated processes, advanced technologies and a skilled team, we are able to produce large quantities while maintaining the highest standards.
The result is a stable production process that guarantees the same quality over and over again. From the first sample to full-scale production, we remain in control.


Your partner in high-end metallization
As a European specialist in decorative surface finishing, Vacumetal supports leading brands in cosmetics, fragrances, spirits and luxury packaging.
Are you looking for a reliable partner for metallization with consistent quality and high reproducibility?
Feel free to contact us and discover how we can support your project.