Domino Printing Sciences has launched a new range of high-speed Bottle Closure Printing Stations aimed at supporting the beverage industry’s shift away from labels on bottles. This development is driven by environmental and legislative pressures, including a recent mandate from South Korea that will ban external labels on bottled water starting January 2026.
The new stations are designed to print variable data and machine-readable codes, such as QR codes, directly onto HDPE bottle caps and closures. “In the beverage industry, there is growing interest in labelless bottles and the role they can play in supporting the move towards a circular economy,” said Nigel Allen, Marketing Manager for 2D Codes & High-Resolution Inkjet at Domino. He noted that while plastic labels are recyclable, they often need to be removed before disposal to ensure proper recycling of both labels and bottles.
Eliminating labels can simplify recycling and reduce plastic use, potentially cutting production costs by up to 5% and easing financial burdens in regions with plastic taxes. The trend towards labelless bottles aligns with global efforts to enhance plastic recycling rates and improve the quality of recycled materials.
Domino’s Bottle Closure Printing Stations offer high-resolution printing at speeds of up to 44,000 bottles per hour using their K300 monochrome digital printer. Features include pre- and post-treatment for code adhesion, machine vision for automated code inspection, and options for both near-line and in-line coding of bottles.
The company recently completed the first installation of this technology in South Korea for a major beverage manufacturer. This successful installation highlighted Domino’s capability to deliver a complete, integrated solution.
“Following our success in South Korea, Domino is pleased to offer our new Bottle Closure Printing Station to the market,” said David Bywater, Regional Development Director – Asia at Domino. He emphasized the growing trend towards labelless bottles and the importance of variable data codes in meeting market demands.