An efficient printing solution to support label-less bottles
Beverage manufacturers are moving away from labels on bottles for environmental and legislative reasons.
As such, UK-based printing specialist Domino Printing Sciences has launched a range of high-speed product handling and printing solutions designed to support this move. Domino’s range of Bottle Closure Printing Stations is able to print variable data and machine-readable codes, including QR codes, onto high-density polyethylene (HDPE) bottle caps and closures.
The solution features a product handling system capable of stabilising filled water bottles, alongside high-resolution printing of 300–900dpi variable data codes at speeds of up to 44,000 bottles per hour from Domino’s K300 monochrome digital printer.
The stations also feature pre- and post-treatment of the printed codes to ensure code adhesion and longevity, as well as integrated machine vision for automated code inspection and verification.
Installation in Korea
Domino recently completed the installation of its first in-line Bottle Closure Printing Station for a prominent Korean beverage manufacturer. The installation was the first of its kind in the region, with the customer reporting that Domino’s quick response time, and ability to provide a complete solution were instrumental in their choosing to partner with Domino.
Several additional installations have followed as more brands realise the benefits of bottle cap printing in the move to label-less PET bottles.
“There is growing interest in label-less bottles and the role they can play in supporting the bottling industry’s move towards a circular economy,” said Nigel Allen, marketing manager 2D Codes & High-Resolution Inkjet, Domino.
“Although plastic labels are often recyclable, they typically need to be removed prior to disposal to ensure that both labels and bottles can be recycled.”
Removing the need for labels not only helps to simplify the recycling process and reduce the total quantity of plastic required but can also save manufacturers up to 5% on their production costs, as well reducing the financial burden in regions with plastic taxation.
The addition of variable data codes on bottle closures, the most common being QR codes, including GS1 QR codes, can provide a link to all the data usually required on product labels, supporting applications including product traceability, provision of product recycling information, and consumer engagement.
The Bottle Closure Printing Stations can be customised to suit different beverage sector production environments. Options are available for high-speed printing of loose bottle caps and closures near line and in-line coding of filled bottles.
For more information visit: www.domino-printing.com.
