Labelling in the Future

Bluhm Systeme GmbH, headquartered in Rheinbreitbach in the German state of Rhineland-Palatinate, is part of the international Bluhm Weber Group. The company is one of the leading full-service providers of industrial marking and labelling solutions. The focus is on inkjet, laser and thermal transfer printing systems as well as labelling machines and Industry 4.0-capable software. The systems label products, packaging and pallets for a wide range of industries - from food to pharmaceutical production. Sandra Seewi, Marketing and Communications Manager at the company, sees the combination of sustainability and user-friendliness as the key:
"Sustainable labelling solutions are in high demand. Among other things, we rely on compressed air-free labelling technology and direct marking using laser or ink to reduce waste and costs.' At the same time, the systems must be intuitive to use and require little maintenance – especially when there are frequent personnel changes, explains Seewi.

A Domino Printing Sciences plc company, is based in Mainz-Kastel near Wiesbaden, Germany. Domino offers a wide range of inkjet and laser systems, thermal transfer printers and digital printing systems for packaging. The range is complemented by automation software, camera systems, cloud solutions and vision technology for production and packaging lines.

The challenges are complex – especially when digitalisation, automation and sustainability are considered collectively.
"All three topics require investment now," emphasises Thomas Grupe, Manager Software Integration & Support at Domino Deutschland GmbH. "In tough economic times, you need long-term strategies to be able to respond flexibly to changing legal requirements, rising energy costs or material changes." This is the only way to balance out the shortage of skilled workers and boost line efficiency.

Three wavelength technologies have been established in the field of laser systems: CO₂ lasers, fibre lasers and UV lasers. CO₂ lasers are the most widely used and have long been used in industrial applications. Fibre lasers are particularly suitable for plastics and metals with special surface requirements (see Figure 4). UV lasers – the latest development – are becoming increasingly important due to the growing use of mono films and modified surface coatings, for example in folding cartons. Laser marking is generally considered to be a technology of the future, but it requires investment, laser safety measures and the extraction of particles and gases.

Labelling remains technically relevant – especially where ink or laser systems reach their limits due to material properties or surface structure. Labelling refers to the application of pre-printed or directly printed labels to packaging or products. It offers a consistently high printing quality and high flexibility – but involves higher consumption costs and maintenance requirements. In addition, labels, carrier materials and, if applicable, thermal transfer films generate additional waste.

RFID (radio frequency identification) currently plays only a minor role in the labelling of individual products or outer packaging, as Grupe explains. The technology uses transponders that can be read without contact – even without a visual connection. Seewi adds: "Data can be changed dynamically and read out at any time along the supply chain." Areas of application are currently predominantly found in pallet labelling, return systems, brand protection and high-quality electronic products. Widespread use has so far been hampered by costs and technical complexity.

Regulatory requirements, such as mandatory traceability, are also promoting technological developments. As a GS1 Germany (German subsidiary of the global GS1 network) Solution Partner, Bluhm Systeme works closely on the implementation of uniform standards.
"The planned changeover to 2D codes by 2027 is a challenge that many manufacturers are already actively tackling," emphasises Seewi. The labelling must not only be machine-readable, but also durable and robust – especially in refrigerated or humid production environments.

The demand for track & trace solutions is also growing in the food and beverage industry. Domino recently completed serialisation projects for baby food, focusing on meeting complex export requirements for Asia. A combined system consisting of 2D code generation, automated data transfer and image processing is used for quality assurance.
"As a full-service provider, we supply software, labelling technology and vision systems from a single source," emphasises Grupe. Domino is also an active member of GS1 and is therefore often involved in the development of new regulations and recommendations.

With regard to sustainability as well, both companies go far beyond material issues. Domino Deutschland GmbH develops its own inks that are technically high-performance and as environmentally friendly as possible – including formulations that comply with GMP (Good Manufacturing Practice) standards for contact with food.
"The aim is to create formulations that print reliably even on new packaging materials, while also being economical and using environmentally friendly ingredients," reports Grupe. At the same time, the company is working on CO₂-optimised processes and globally sustainable supply chains.

Bluhm Systeme relies on durable systems with low consumption of consumables, linerless labels and alternatives such as laser marking.
Seewi is convinced that "sustainability will become even more important in the future." "Reducing energy consumption, minimising waste and promoting recycling – labelling must also play its part in these areas," she adds.

Both companies anticipate profound changes in the coming years – not only technical, but also cultural. Artificial intelligence, robotics and autonomous systems will increasingly find their way into production lines.
According to Bluhm Systeme, the new GESET NX (Next Generation, see Image 1) series is particularly interesting for the food industry. It consists of ready-to-install labelling systems designed for maximum user-friendliness.
"The goal of the development was to make it easy to use in daily operations – even by staff with little prior knowledge. We have consistently succeeded in achieving this," explains Sandra Seewi. "What's more, our systems are already robot-compatible and operate at a high level of autonomy. Together with our customers and partners, we're constantly developing new product innovations."

Domino Deutschland GmbH sees direct marking on packaging, fruit or mono films as a cutting-edge approach.
"Consumers are increasingly accepting the absence of colourful labels – sustainability beats marketing," explains Grupe. At the same time, it is the indirect effects – such as process networking, energy efficiency and standardised interfaces – that offer the greatest leverage.

Both company representatives agree: No product can be sold without labelling. However, its role is changing – from a purely technical obligation to a strategic tool for transparency, efficiency and sustainability along the entire value chain. The future belongs to systems that are technically powerful, digitally networkable and ecologically sustainable.