The value of product coding within our dairy industry

The dairy industry in the Benelux is doing well, yet faces some tough challenges. Consider the decline in milk consumption and the prediction that the number of dairy farms will decrease significantly by 2030 due to concentration in larger groups, the lack of skilled personnel and reduced profitability. The growing protests against agricultural policy are indicative of the situation, but what can our dairies do to keep growing even in turbulent economic periods? Investing in innovation becomes important, even when it comes to packaging and coding products.

Dairy companies in the Benelux respond very quickly to changes in consumer tastes. To do so, however, they must also be able to switch production quickly and flexibly and, if necessary, increase capacity. Manufacturers must ensure that their facilities are efficiently set up for new product types and their packaging. For example, it is very important to use coding and printing technology that can be quickly adapted or is versatile enough to code different substrates. One example is a barcode that adheres excellently to a variety of materials such as cardboard boxes, trays and shrink wrap. The result: exceptionally readable and durable bar codes. Dairy companies looking to ensure that both existing and new products are safely and reliably marked with GS1 (UCC-EAN) compliant barcodes and can be tracked at every stage of the supply chain can also benefit from options such as Markem-Imaje's Print and Apply 2000 Series for pallet coding. This technology delivers reliable results even in demanding production environments.

Product quality is priority

Dairy companies in Benelux must adapt to market trends and changes in legislation. They must also maintain exceptional quality control. This is another area where a review of the processes used can pay dividends. Highly perishable products must remain safe and at their best, but companies must also have a traceability system that allows them to flawlessly manage large quantities of products at high speed. In case of problems, this solution should also allow them to recall the products involved. 

Coding and printing solutions like Markem-Imaje's result in far-reaching traceability, but also optimize operations within the company, for example by reducing the need for operator intervention. Markem-Imaje's inkjet printers (CIJ printers) are equipped with a print head that requires little intervention. This guarantees high-quality coding and increases productivity. By using more advanced solutions, companies can optimize the quality of their products and operations within the organization while maintaining the positive reputation of their brand.

Produce more sustainably

Dairies must also adjust their production processes to reduce environmental impact. This can be done without sacrificing productivity; output can even be increased. The story of Yörükoğlu, for example, shows this. To improve its approach to sustainability, Turkey's largest producer of milk, yogurt, cheese, ice cream and other products replaced MEK inks with Markem-Imaje's EB588 ink. This MEK-free alternative generated 40% less VOCs and consumables requirements decreased by 30 to 40% when Yörükoğlu installed three CIJ printers from Markem-Imaje to test the MEK-free inks. The company also found that the performance and speed of the MEK-free ink matched and even exceeded that of traditional alternatives. 

Töpfer, one of Germany's leading producers of organic milk-based baby food and certified natural cosmetics, also reduced its environmental impact in packaging by choosing Markem-Imaje's marking and coding systems and CoLOS® software. For the first time, they also achieved accurate traceability and verification capability. Using CIJ technology to print directly on recyclable plastic packaging also reduces the volume of paper waste. The CoLOS® software helps address one of the biggest problems within the dairy industry, the shortage of skilled labor. Thanks to this package, packaging line verification and many other processes can be automated. The software is also compatible with all major MES and ERP systems.

Leading the world

The dairy industry in the Benelux is already setting an example for the rest of the world. This is evidenced by its broader contribution to the world food market and also by small-scale but nevertheless significant changes. These companies are also consciously taking a proactive and innovative approach to coding and printing, which keeps them leading the way.