UK-based coding and marking expert Linx Printing Technologies has introduced new returnable Linx Black bottling ink 1068 to facilitate the reuse of glass bottles in the drinks industry.
Image: Batch and date codes printed on bottles using The Linx Black bottling ink 1068. Photo: Courtesy of Linx Printing Technologies.
The Linx Black bottling ink 1068 is designed such a way that the bottles once printed and returned after use are pickable for recycling.
The batch and date codes once printed on bottles using The Linx Black bottling ink 1068 can be removed in the bottle-washing process allowing new codes and dates can be printed for the future reuse.
The company claims that the quality of Linx Black bottling ink 1068 is such that it can print onto glass in cold-fill bottling in humid surroundings.
The ink is prepared to handle the tests for providing clear, readable codes for bottled drinks. The codes last even if bottles are pasteurized, immersed in ice water, stored in a warehouse for long time, or chilled.
In the UK, it is already in practice with milk bottles to collect and reuse them to reduce the need of manufacturing new bottles. This saves the considerable quantities of energy and resources along with significant environmental benefits.
Linx’s consumer research has emphasized the need for a solution that allows the extensive reuse of glass bottles. The survey showed that that 89% of respondents cared for the influence of soft drink packaging on the environment and 91% are optimistic towards a system to facilitate the reuse of glass bottles.
Linx marketing director John Tierney said: “Consumers are looking for solutions that minimise the impact of drinks packaging on the environment.
“The opportunity exists for brands to introduce effective solutions for the reuse of bottles – and by ensuring the latest coding inks can be removed as part of the process, we are helping to enable the creation of these schemes.”
Apart from launching the new ink, Linx has upgraded its 8900 series of Continuous Ink Jet printers with new software with more applications and capable of producing faster print speeds.
Tierney further said: “The combination of our latest ink technology with innovations in printing with the 8900 makes Linx the perfect partner for beverage customers.
“We’re delighted to be announcing these developments, which underline how we aim to create new products and evolve our existing ones to remain the best answer to every company’s coding needs.”