Emerald Packaging Adds QR Codes to Bags
GURNEE, IL—November 15, 2012—Leading fresh produce packaging supplier Emerald Packaging is providing consumers with more information on the origins of their food after installing new digital ink jet printing equipment from Domino USA, which marks an industry first for delivering unique human readable and QR codes in a single pass.
The Union City, CA-based packaging manufacturer, which supplies printed bags to companies including Growers Express, a packer for major food manufacturing brand Jolly Green Giant, invested in Domino’s Bitjet+ inline digital printing system along with its Editor GT ink jet and production line controller in order to print unique QR codes onto each of its bags.
The unique codes, which are supplied by database and software management provider Truetrac, contain a wide range of information on the product including farm locations, grower profiles, food safety notices and nutritional information. These codes are managed by the Editor GT system and printed onto the bags by the Bitjet+.
By scanning the code with a smartphone, consumers can find out everything about the product, including the field in which it was harvested.
Domino's Bitjet+ integrates seamlessly into existing packaging lines and is ideal for adding high-resolution, variable data including QR codes, addresses, numbers, barcodes and graphics to a wide range of substrates.
The printer was incorporated into Emerald Packaging’s bag processing line, which produces 150 bags per minute, without any interruption to the manufacturing process.
“The Bitjet+ is the first system within the fresh produce packaging sector that prints both a unique QR code and human readable code directly onto the bag,” said Emerald packaging sales and marketing director Todd Somers. “This is important as it enables the end consumer to track back when and where their produce was harvested and packed. This even tracks the item down to the specific field where the produce was grown.”
David Ellen, vice president of digital printing at Domino North America also adds that with the integration of the Domino Bitjet+ into its bag manufacturing line, Emerald Packaging continues to innovate and add value to its customer relationships. "We look forward to collaborating with Emerald on this and future projects.”
About Domino
Founded in 1978, Domino has a global reputation for the development and manufacture of coding, marking and printing technologies that satisfy the compliance and productivity requirements of manufacturers. Domino’s consistent year-on-year growth—both organic and through acquisition—is underpinned by an unrivalled commitment to product development, resulting in a portfolio that incorporates complete end to end coding solutions spanning primary, secondary and tertiary applications.
Innovative ink jet, laser, print and apply and thermal transfer overprinting technologies are deployed for the application of variable data, bar codes and unique traceability codes onto product and packaging, across many industrial sectors, including food, beverage, pharmaceutical and industrial products.
In 2010/11 the Domino Group (Domino Printing Sciences plc) achieved a turnover of £314.1 million; it is listed in the FTSE 250 share index on the London Stock Exchange (share code DNO). Domino was awarded the Queen’s Award for Continuous Achievement in International Trade in 2012 and was named Company of the Year in the 2010 UK PLC awards. The Group employs 2,200 people worldwide and sells to more than 120 countries through a global network of 25 subsidiary offices and more than 200 distributors. Domino's manufacturing facilities are situated in China, Germany, India, Sweden, United Kingdom and United States.
About Emerald Packaging
Emerald Packaging, is a family owned and operated business, and has a long tradition of high quality products, exceptional customer service and a proven track record of innovation. It produces a wide range of packaging including surface printed rollstock and bags, wicketed bags, OTR specific films, laser micro perforations, film laminations, pouches and Innolok zipper applications.
Founded in 1963, Emerald Packaging is one of the largest flexible packaging manufacturers on the west coast and one of the biggest suppliers of produce packaging in the United States. Emerald Packaging operates a technologically advanced 150,000-square-foot manufacturing facility in Union City, CA, and is committed to innovative product development, high-quality standards, superior customer service and on-time delivery. Specialties include high-definition printing, biodegradable packaging, laser micro-perforated bags and roll stock, and laminated packaging and pouches.
Source: Domino.
