The OWA® Philosophy
Nothing is lost, everything is transformed
Printing can be both efficient, economical, and environmentally friendly. This sustainable approach is embodied by our OWA brand of consumables. In 2015, convinced of the need for companies to play an active role in environmental preservation, ALTKIN created OWA. Based on the principles of the circular economy, OWA demonstrates this forward-thinking commitment to a sustainable and responsible model. Our belief is simple: nothing is lost, everything is transformed. Through our circular economy approach, we give a second life to print cartridges by promoting reuse through remanufacturing and recycling of used print consumables.
In brief
OWA for #OurWay
What is the circular economy?
The circular economy involves producing goods and services sustainably by limiting resource consumption and waste production. It aims to shift from a throwaway society to a more circular economic model.
The circular economy is a production and consumption model that involves sharing, reusing, repairing, renovating, and recycling existing products and materials for as long as possible to maintain their value. This way, the product lifecycle is extended to reduce the use of raw materials and waste production.
The circular approach of the OWA® brand
OWA guarantees a 53%* reduction in carbon impact compared to using a new product, thanks to a certified process respecting the product's life cycle.
The raw material for manufacturing our print cartridges is an original manufacturer cartridge, collected after first use and refurbished to give it a second life.
*LCA 2024
Quality is at the heart of our processes
Throughout the product's life cycle: from its design, through its production, to its end-of-life treatment. All our factories are certified ISO 9001, ISO 14001, and OHSAS 18001.
The OWA consumables specifications are based on a set of international standards related to the remanufacturing process, as well as product-related standards and certifications, ensuring not only the performance of our cartridges, at least identical to those of the original equipment manufacturer, but also respect for the environment and the health of the end user. Our cartridges are designed and tested according to the same international standards and norms as original brand cartridges.
With the OWA brand, you have a lifetime guarantee associated with each consumable, ensuring unlimited perfect operation and reliability of our cartridges, regardless of the consumable's purchase date. Additionally, using an OWA consumable ensures the maintenance of the printer manufacturer's warranty.
OWA® Score: a visual scale to measure the circularity of our OWA® products
While waiting for an official and institutional scoring system for print cartridges, we have taken the lead by establishing a score inspired by the food industry. The OWA Score is a score that informs you of the environmental qualities of OWA print cartridges.
What form does the OWA® Score take?
The OWA Score is a 5-level scale combining letters and colors, displayed on our packaging. The goal is to make the ranking of our products more readable and understandable. This rating aims to help the consumer in their purchase and provide relevant information to choose their cartridges based on their level of circularity.
How is the OWA® Score calculated?
Our products earn points and approach the A+ score as soon as they meet the following criteria:
| Is the cartridge reusable? |  +2 points |  |
| Is the cartridge remanufactured? | + 2 points | |
| When the cartridge is remanufactured, how many parts are replaced? | > 75% + 2 points | > 50% 1 point |
| Is the cartridge collected for free by the manufacturer after use? | +2 points | |
| If the cartridge, after collection, cannot be reused, is it dismantled and recovered? (Energy recovery is not taken into account) | +2 points | |
| Are the packaging and conditioning plastic-free and single-use? | +2 points | |
| Is the cartridge eco-labeled? | +2 points | |
| Does the manufacturer guarantee RoHS, REACH compliance? | +2 points | |
| Is the cartridge 100% recovered at the end of its life? | +2 points | |
| For inkjet technology: is the ink used "ecological" (in terms of environmental and health impact)? Is the ink water-based? | +2 points | |