際際滷

際際滷Share a Scribd company logo

The Coding & Marking Essentials for a Confectionery Manufacturer

Linx Printing Technology
Linx Printing Technology

Starting out in the Confectionery industry? Here Linx Printing Technologies give you all that you need to know about coding and marking technology and how it can help you meet your packaging requirements.

1 of 11
Downloaded 13 times
Coding & Marking EssentialsFor Confectionery Manufacturers & Packers Linx Printing Technologies
Overview Fluctuating Confectionery industry Coding considerations and digital solutions Linx coding technologies for confectionery 2
The fluctuating Confectionery industry According to IbisWorld, the UK chocolate and confectionery industry has seen a decline over the last few years due to an uncertain economy and a drive to rationalise production by moving overseas and reducing costs However the chocolate industry is still buoyant, especially in the niche or premium sector thanks to high cocoa prices The other impact of a high cocoa price is the increase in product extensions by the larger manufacturers: by incorporating other products in their portfolio into the chocolate bar, more products are added to their range, plus the cost is reduced as the expensive chocolate element in the bar is replaced with another product More products means more jostling for shelf space so manufacturers look to standout packaging, and different packaging materials
Coding considerations There is a wide range of considerations when coding in the Confectionery industry: Coding Integrity Linx Speeds IP Protection & Hygiene Seasonality Changes To Packaging
Coding integrity The challenge: Confectionery needs to be accurately coded with information to conform to stringent standards, such as strict EU legislation for food Older, non-digital coding technologies such as roller coding or hot stamping, which are contact methods of coding, can lead to smudged codes or ones that are liable to be scratched off The digital solution: Digital coders which are non-contact can code clearly on a range of packaging materials and irregular surfaces, and in small, hard-to-reach places on the production line Digital coders such as Continuous Ink Jet (CIJ) or lasers provide a more permanent code
Line speeds The challenge: Line speeds can be anywhere up to 150 packs per minute (ppm) on a 24/7 basis depending on seasonality Variation in speeds especially with contract packing so coding needs to be consistent at lower speeds e.g. 50 ppm on a 12/5 basis Products may need to be detected on the production line in a non-regular way, where companies use hand-fed conveyors The digital solution: Digital coders can work with varying line speeds, and non-contact sensor technology allows for coding only when a product passes the machine, meaning no waste The variety of line speeds at which digital coders work means no loss in code integrity
IP ratings & hygiene The challenge: Powders used in the production of confectionery products can make the coding environment dusty, which can interfere with machinery As they are dealing with food, the coding area must be hygienic The digital solution: IP ratings on many digital coders ensure that they are secured against environmental conditions which could affect their components IP ratings also ensure that machines can be washed down after use to maintain hygiene Many digital coding technologies are non-contact, further ensuring maintenance of hygiene Food-grade inks can be used either onto the product itself or where it may come into incidental contact with the product
Seasonality The challenge: Confectionery producers need to ramp up production at different times of year e.g. Christmas, Easter, Valentines Day Machines may be used by new staff with varying levels of training, or may be controlled centrally by management Coders need to be able to start up reliably every time, as and when required Codes may need to be changed frequently with minimal downtime The digital solution: Coders can be pre-programmed, lowering the chance of errors from the operator Most CIJ coders flush through the system at shutdown, ensuring a clean startup every time Code setup and changeovers are quicker and easier
Changes to packaging The challenge: New packaging trends, reacting to changing consumer tastes, using various different materials Changes to packaging design, whether for smaller or more complex packaging The digital solution: Non-contact coders deliver clear codes on a wide variety of substrates, including anything from card to flow wrap Wide range of inks available with CIJ coders allows legible coding on any colour of substrate Increased flexibility of coders allow product marking in various orientations and at different code sizes at the touch of a button Future proof with add-ons enable users to react quickly to changing trends
Linx coding solutions We offer a wide range of technologies for both primary and secondary packaging to deliver high quality codes that meet the industrys exacting standards You can ramp up production without having to worry about a loss in code integrity We deliver a flexible coding solution through leasing: We offer a range of options to help you ramp up production without the need for any capital outlay Leasing delivers peace of mind as you have the benefit of a fully serviced coding technology
FIND OUT MORE WWW.LINX.CO.UK/CONFECTIONERY

More Related Content

The Coding & Marking Essentials for a Confectionery Manufacturer

  • 1. Coding & Marking EssentialsFor Confectionery Manufacturers & Packers Linx Printing Technologies
  • 2. Overview Fluctuating Confectionery industry Coding considerations and digital solutions Linx coding technologies for confectionery 2
  • 3. The fluctuating Confectionery industry According to IbisWorld, the UK chocolate and confectionery industry has seen a decline over the last few years due to an uncertain economy and a drive to rationalise production by moving overseas and reducing costs However the chocolate industry is still buoyant, especially in the niche or premium sector thanks to high cocoa prices The other impact of a high cocoa price is the increase in product extensions by the larger manufacturers: by incorporating other products in their portfolio into the chocolate bar, more products are added to their range, plus the cost is reduced as the expensive chocolate element in the bar is replaced with another product More products means more jostling for shelf space so manufacturers look to standout packaging, and different packaging materials
  • 4. Coding considerations There is a wide range of considerations when coding in the Confectionery industry: Coding Integrity Linx Speeds IP Protection & Hygiene Seasonality Changes To Packaging
  • 5. Coding integrity The challenge: Confectionery needs to be accurately coded with information to conform to stringent standards, such as strict EU legislation for food Older, non-digital coding technologies such as roller coding or hot stamping, which are contact methods of coding, can lead to smudged codes or ones that are liable to be scratched off The digital solution: Digital coders which are non-contact can code clearly on a range of packaging materials and irregular surfaces, and in small, hard-to-reach places on the production line Digital coders such as Continuous Ink Jet (CIJ) or lasers provide a more permanent code
  • 6. Line speeds The challenge: Line speeds can be anywhere up to 150 packs per minute (ppm) on a 24/7 basis depending on seasonality Variation in speeds especially with contract packing so coding needs to be consistent at lower speeds e.g. 50 ppm on a 12/5 basis Products may need to be detected on the production line in a non-regular way, where companies use hand-fed conveyors The digital solution: Digital coders can work with varying line speeds, and non-contact sensor technology allows for coding only when a product passes the machine, meaning no waste The variety of line speeds at which digital coders work means no loss in code integrity
  • 7. IP ratings & hygiene The challenge: Powders used in the production of confectionery products can make the coding environment dusty, which can interfere with machinery As they are dealing with food, the coding area must be hygienic The digital solution: IP ratings on many digital coders ensure that they are secured against environmental conditions which could affect their components IP ratings also ensure that machines can be washed down after use to maintain hygiene Many digital coding technologies are non-contact, further ensuring maintenance of hygiene Food-grade inks can be used either onto the product itself or where it may come into incidental contact with the product
  • 8. Seasonality The challenge: Confectionery producers need to ramp up production at different times of year e.g. Christmas, Easter, Valentines Day Machines may be used by new staff with varying levels of training, or may be controlled centrally by management Coders need to be able to start up reliably every time, as and when required Codes may need to be changed frequently with minimal downtime The digital solution: Coders can be pre-programmed, lowering the chance of errors from the operator Most CIJ coders flush through the system at shutdown, ensuring a clean startup every time Code setup and changeovers are quicker and easier
  • 9. Changes to packaging The challenge: New packaging trends, reacting to changing consumer tastes, using various different materials Changes to packaging design, whether for smaller or more complex packaging The digital solution: Non-contact coders deliver clear codes on a wide variety of substrates, including anything from card to flow wrap Wide range of inks available with CIJ coders allows legible coding on any colour of substrate Increased flexibility of coders allow product marking in various orientations and at different code sizes at the touch of a button Future proof with add-ons enable users to react quickly to changing trends
  • 10. Linx coding solutions We offer a wide range of technologies for both primary and secondary packaging to deliver high quality codes that meet the industrys exacting standards You can ramp up production without having to worry about a loss in code integrity We deliver a flexible coding solution through leasing: We offer a range of options to help you ramp up production without the need for any capital outlay Leasing delivers peace of mind as you have the benefit of a fully serviced coding technology