New Domino printing lines replace bottle labels with on-cap QR codes
Domino Printing Sciences is addressing the beverage industry’s shift toward label-free packaging by developing high-speed printing stations for bottle closures. This innovation allows manufacturers to print variable data, such as QR codes, directly onto caps, facilitating a transition to circular economy principles. By eliminating external plastic labels, companies can simplify recycling processes, reduce overall plastic usage, and potentially lower production costs. This approach aligns with emerging global regulations, such as South Korea’s upcoming ban on external water bottle labels, helping brands maintain compliance without compromising operational efficiency. The integration of machine-readable codes on closures offers a practical solution for consumer engagement and traceability. Instead of physical labels, QR codes provide essential information, including recycling instructions and product history, while also opening doors for interactive marketing. The technology supports both inline and near-line printing scenarios, ensuring high-resolution coding at significant speeds. Integrated vision systems automatically verify code quality, guaranteeing accuracy and longevity. This comprehensive solution enables manufacturers to meet labeling requirements sustainably while maintaining high production throughput. This development is highly relevant to open data as it demonstrates how direct-to-product coding can enhance transparency and accessibility of product information. By embedding data codes on closures, companies can share detailed supply chain and environmental impact data that is easily accessible to consumers via smartphones. This shift supports broader open data initiatives by making physical product information digitized and retrievable, encouraging greater accountability in sustainability claims and recycling practices. The move toward digital information carriers complements open data ecosystems by bridging physical goods with digital transparency.
Source: packagingeurope.comPublished on 2024-08-01