More and more companies are turning to refillable packaging – whether for ecological reasons or to optimise their processes. The key to a functioning circular economy lies in the precise traceability of these containers. With innovative laser marking and digital solutions, Wipotec enables the sustainable use of packaging, especially in the beverage industry. Find out here how this technology works and what benefits it offers manufacturers, bottlers and consumers.
Circular economy of refillables
Sustainability is the key objective in some cases, in others it is the collection of data for more efficient business operations. Regardless of their motivation, more and more companies are aiming to increasingly use refillables and monitor their life cycle. For this purpose, each item receives a unique marking that identifies it throughout its entire life cycle. At every stage of the cycle, this code is captured digitally, making circulation, consumption and demand transparent. Taking the beverage industry as an example, manufacturers of bottles and beverages as well as their licensees and bottlers benefit greatly from the information generated. Regional trends, bottle lifetimes and return rates become predictable.
Technology lays the foundation
Laser marking is the method of choice to ensure that the coding on the bottle remains legible throughout its entire lifetime. The challenge lies in ensuring constant readability and avoiding damage to the plastic at the same time. The individual serial number is encoded in a QR code in compliance with the GS1 Digital Link Standard. Both industrial camera systems and smartphones are capable to read this code.
It provides different information depending on the user and device. While the reading station for refilling is only interested in the serial number, consumers use the integrated web link to access a return app where they receive a digital deposit.
Successfully implemented
The Coca-Cola Company undoubtedly is one of the biggest brands and producers of soft drinks in the world. With an ambitious strategy, the company takes its part in facing global plastic waste challenges: driving change through a circular economy for packaging. Besides increasing the use of recycled materials, reusing and refilling play a central role in their sustainability goals. Joining forces with license holders, filling companies, bottle producers and solution providers, they went on a journey to build the base for a brighter future – unaware of the challenges and surprising discoveries that awaited them. With Wipotec, the “New Technologies” team had a highly committed and experienced partner at its side. The result should become an award-winning project with the potential to be rolled out worldwide, performing even beyond expectations.
Our exhibitor Wipotec awaits you in the Expo area of CVC 2025. Experience how modern labelling technologies are driving the circular economy, discuss sustainable packaging solutions with our experts and discover practical application examples.
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