Beverage Industry logo
search
cart
facebook twitter linkedin youtube
  • Sign In
  • Create Account
  • Sign Out
  • My Account
Beverage Industry logo
  • NEWS
    • R&D News
    • Supplier News
  • PRODUCTS
    • New Products
    • Reader's Choice Poll
  • CATEGORIES
    • Alternative Drinks
    • Beer
    • Bottled Water
    • Cannabis Beverages
    • Carbonated Soft Drinks
    • Energy Drinks & Shots
    • Juice & Juice Drinks
    • Plant-Based Beverages
    • Sports Drinks
    • Tea and Coffee
    • Wine & Spirits
  • R&D
    • Beverage R&D Features
    • Ingredient Spotlight
  • PACKAGING
    • New Packages
    • Packaging Equipment
    • Packaging Material
  • OPERATIONS
    • Distribution
    • Plant Focus
  • TOP LISTS
    • Beer Market Report
    • Executive of the Year
    • State of the Beverage Industry
    • Top 100 Beverage Companies
    • Truck Report
    • Wholesaler of the Year
  • MEDIA
    • eBook
    • Podcast
    • Polls
    • Videos
    • Webinars
  • DIRECTORIES
    • Annual Manual
    • Contract Packaging Guide
    • Take a Tour
  • MORE
    • Classifieds
    • Channel Strategies
    • eNewsletters
    • Events
      • Membrane Technology Forum
    • Interactive Product Spotlights
    • Market Insights
    • Sponsor Insights
    • Store
    • White Papers
  • EMAG
    • eMagazine
    • Archived Issues
    • Advertise
  • SIGN UP!
Packaging Equipment

Packaging Equipment

Digital printing, user-friendly label equipment support circular economy

Packaging evolutions prompt advancements for labeling equipment

By Lauren Sabetta, Managing Editor
Krones Inc

Image courtesy of Krones Inc.

August 19, 2022

Taking place 700 years after planet earth has been abandoned, Pixar’s 2008 animated film “WALL-E” tells the tale of friendship and true love between two adorable robots — WALL-E and EVE. However, before encountering EVE, as lone robot WALL-E is tasked with cleaning up the planet that was literally trashed by humanity, the film also sends a powerful message about sustainability.

In the real world, as consumer package companies are increasingly designing more products with sustainability in mind, experts note that within the label industry, more companies are recognizing the need for labeling equipment that also supports a circular economy.

“The greatest trend in labeling is the continuing move toward sustainability,” says Mike Soloway, labeling systems product manager at Krones Inc., Franklin, Wis. “Companies are increasingly concerned about what happens to the package after it has been used.” 

Although most bottles and cans are recyclable, the label often determines whether the container can be recycled, Soloway notes. 

 

Krones DecoTypetechnology
Krones DecoTypetechnology offers a multi-sensory experience that includes, digital embossing on glass; print area on glass and PET containers and more.
Image courtesy of Krones Inc.

 

“Label materials, adhesives and inks all play a role in the recyclability of a container, so label manufacturers continue to develop solutions that either allow the label to be easily removed from the container, or that allow the label to be recycled with the container,” he explains. “The main impact on labeling machinery is that the label materials are becoming thinner and more difficult to manage through the labeling process.

“Thinner label materials are having the largest impact on labeling equipment,” he continues. “For example, low-density polyolefin films are increasing in popularity because they float while the PET bottle sinks in the recycling process.”

Justin Slarks, director of marketing at Little Rock, Ark.-based Sleeve Seal, notes that, although certain label materials can be challenging in terms of labeling equipment, many sustainable materials are workable.

“Textural inks, floatable film and recycled films have all proven to be advancements in materials, but still very usable,” he says. “… The trends in labeling materials that we are seeing have been easy to embrace and apply with high speeds and efficiencies.” 

Easy change formats, maximum efficiency remain key

As beverage manufacturers rely on labeling systems that deliver on efficiency, experts note that simple machinery with minimal operator adjustments can enhance a manufacturer’s overall performance.

Sleeve Seal’s Slarks notes that with the cost of beverage operations, efficiency is a “big factor” when investing in labeling machinery. He explains that Sleeve Seal’s machines are designed to be simple and robust, but also use few wear parts.

 “Common requests include the ability to easily change formats on the smaller, slower machines and redundancy on our faster machines,” Slarks says. “Several big manufacturers have put in mirrored machines on a line and run each at half speed in case one needs support or a resupply of labels. This way the machines are both under-tasked and production can be diverted to either labeler to continue with high-speed production while maintaining efficiencies.”

 

Krones’ digital print technology
Krones’ digital print technology enables the bottles’ decoration to be changed at the touch of a button, so that even tiny batches can be cost-efficiently produced, the company says.
Image courtesy of Krones Inc.

 

Krones’ Soloway notes that beverage-makers commonly request labeling equipment that delivers minimal downtime and maximum efficiency.

“This includes machine designs that require minimal operator adjustments and changeover that is as fast and repeatedly accurate as possible,” he says. 

Another consideration should be the serviceability of the machine, Soloway notes. “How fast can I get a service technician on-site? Is 24-hour remote service an option? How long will I have to wait for replacement parts?” he says.

Moreover, beverage-makers need to consider not only their current requirements, but also possible future requirements.

“If there is a possibility that the line speed may increase or that a new container size may be introduced in the future, or if specific functionality such as container orientation may be required in the future, the machine would need to be configured so those items can be added later,” Soloway explains. “This may mean increasing the size of the machine or changing to a larger pitch than what is currently required.”

As packaging sizes continue to evolve, Slarks notes that inserting extra-large shrink labels on extra-large formats can be challenging.  

“Sleeve Seal has a specific machine for XL formats, and we have been successful,” he says. “We were able to upscale our standard drivetrain to adapt and run with high efficiencies. It will be interesting to see just how large of a label can be applied and shrunk in the future.” 

Future technologies

As traditional labeling technologies are less expensive, companies have been slower to adopt newer, advanced labeling solutions, experts note.

Sleeve Seal’s Slarks predicts that, as beverage operations continue to have issues finding capable operators, more companies will begin to adopt newer, user-friendly equipment.

“Our thinking is that labelers will be more and more operator friendly in the future,” he says. “Many customers have issues with finding capable operators so we are constantly developing equipment that is more and more user-friendly. No robotic operators yet, but we are limiting operator input and seeing that efficiencies are very high and much more consistent.”

Krones’ Soloway notes that, although digital printing directly onto containers has been introduced to the market, beverage producers have been slow to adopt the technology.

“[A]cceptance has been slow mainly because the systems are very expensive as compared to traditional labeling technologies, and because they require a higher operator skillset,” he says. “However, there are many benefits to the technology. It allows beverage producers to be more creative with their bottle designs because direct printing does not require a flat label panel on the container.

“It also allows them to change the artwork at any time and even print different images on each container. It also eliminates the need to stock minimum label quantities,” he continues.

From a recycling standpoint, Soloway points out that digital ink often washes away in the recycling process to keep the recycling stream free of contamination. 

“Over time I expect system pricing to come down and I expect the user friendliness to improve which would allow the technology to become more mainstream,” he concludes.


KEYWORDS: labeling equipment

Share This Story

Looking for a reprint of this article?
From high-res PDFs to custom plaques, order your copy today!

Sabetta lauren

Lauren Sabetta, managing editor for Beverage Industry, writes for the magazine’s print and online components. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Communication, Journalism from Appalachian State University.

Recommended Content

JOIN TODAY
to unlock your recommendations.

Already have an account? Sign In

  • top 100 beverage companies

    Top 100 Beverage Companies of 2024

    For the global beverage market, mergers and acquisitions...
    Carbonated Soft Drinks
  • Chocolate, Strawberry, Vanilla shakes

    Classic flavors provide reliable, consistent results for beverage-makers

    Classic flavors of chocolate, vanilla and strawberry...
    Ingredient Spotlight
    By: Chloe Alverson
  • Free Spirits Instant Bar Bundle

    Lifestyle trends drive growth for non-alcohol category

    As lifestyle trends continue to drive growth for the...
    Alternative Drinks
    By: Lauren Sabetta
Manage My Account
  • eNewsletters
  • Online Registration
  • Subscription Customer Service
  • eMagazine Subscription
  • Manage My Preferences

More Videos

Sponsored Content

Sponsored Content is a special paid section where industry companies provide high quality, objective, non-commercial content around topics of interest to the Beverage Industry audience. All Sponsored Content is supplied by the advertising company and any opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and not necessarily reflect the views of Beverage Industry or its parent company, BNP Media. Interested in participating in our Sponsored Content section? Contact your local rep!

close
  • Fourpeople toasting with cocktails made with low-sugar ingredients, celebrating healthier drink options.
    Sponsored byCargill

    What’s Hot in Sugar Reduction: Beverages

  • chocolate milk
    Sponsored byCargill

    Sweetening the Future for Dairy and Dairy-Alternative Beverages

  • woman pouring a drink
    Sponsored byFFP

    Building a Beverage System: Meeting Consumer Demand for Precision Wellness

Popular Stories

Celsius Fizz Free

CELSIUS launches new Fizz-Free flavors

PepsiCo.jpg

PepsiCo advances AI agenda

Narragansett Beer 1975 cans

Narragansett Beer celebrates 50 years of ‘Jaws’

Top 100 Beverage Companies of 2024

Events

April 16, 2025

2025 State of the Industry Series: Alcoholic Beverages

On Demand In Beverage Industry’s annual State of the Industry: The Alcohol Beverage Market, analysts at S&D Insights LLC delve into these trends and how they’re shaping the industry.

July 15, 2025

Understanding the Best Material Type for Your Conveyor Systems

Leveraging decades of beverage production expertise, join Regal Rexnord’s Jeremy Fryman, Beverage Industry Marketing Manager and Tom Eure, Senior Account Executive as they dive into the landscape of plastic conveyor belt materials on the market and how to select the proper material type by application.

View All Submit An Event

Poll

Retail Coffee Segment

What retail coffee segments will fare well into the next year?
View Results Poll Archive

Products

Milk and Dairy Foods Nutrition, Processing and Healthy Aging

Milk and Dairy Foods Nutrition, Processing and Healthy Aging

See More Products

Related Articles

  • Heineken bottle labeling

    Labeling materials adapt for a circular future

    See More
  • AstroNova_Labeler.jpg

    AstroNova unveils new digital printing solutions

    See More
  • Safeway Select Earl Grey

    Private label flattens out as economy recovers

    See More
×

Elevate your expertise in the beverage marketplace with unparalleled insights and connections.

Join thousands of beverage professionals today. Shouldn’t you know what they know?

JOIN NOW!
  • RESOURCES
    • Advertise
    • Contact Us
    • Directories
    • Store
    • Want More
  • SIGN UP TODAY
    • Create Account
    • eMagazine
    • eNewsletter
    • Customer Service
    • Manage Preferences
  • SERVICES
    • Marketing Services
    • Reprints
    • Market Research
    • List Rental
    • Survey/Respondent Access
  • STAY CONNECTED
    • LinkedIn
    • Facebook
    • YouTube
    • X (Twitter)
  • PRIVACY
    • PRIVACY POLICY
    • TERMS & CONDITIONS
    • DO NOT SELL MY PERSONAL INFORMATION
    • PRIVACY REQUEST
    • ACCESSIBILITY

Copyright ©2025. All Rights Reserved BNP Media.

Design, CMS, Hosting & Web Development :: ePublishing