A beverage is simply a drink: water, soft drinks, juices, beer, wine, spirits, and yes, high-growth energy drink lines too. But “beverage” on a production floor means something more specific: speed, moisture, varied packaging formats, and zero tolerance for downtime. When your line is moving fast, you can’t afford smudged date codes, inconsistent batch codes, or labels that drift out of position. 

That’s exactly where Pyrotec PackMark’s coding & labelling technology fits in, with complete product identification solutions across coding, labelling, print-and-apply, software, and consumables (backed by 24/7 support and 50+ years of experience).

The Unique Challenge Of Beverage Packaging

Beverage packaging presents challenges that many other industries don’t face with the same intensity. Cold-fill coding and condensation-resistant printing matter when bottles emerge wet from the filling lines. PET bottle marking, glass bottle coding, and can coding each behave differently because substrates and surface conditions affect how inks adhere and how marks remain legible. Add lid coding and cap coding into the mix, along with shrink film and cartons, and it becomes clear that one-size-fits-all solutions don’t cut it.

High-speed production amplifies everything, and at thousands of units per hour, even minor inconsistencies become costly waste. The goal isn’t to “add a date coder.” It’s to build a product identification and traceability flow that remains readable from primary packaging through to cases and pallets.

Primary Coding

Direct Product Marking That Endures

Primary packaging is what the customer holds (bottles, cans, and containers), so the code must be clean, consistent, and repeatable. Pyrotec PackMark’s Primary Coders & Labellers range includes technologies suited to a variety of beverage formats, including Continuous Inkjet (CIJ), Thermal Inkjet (TIJ), Thermal Transfer Overprinters (TTO), and laser options. You’ll also find that our modern CIJ/TIJ printers are incredibly energy-efficient and effective at reducing consumable waste, such as ink and solvents.

For curved surfaces and fast-moving lines (for products such as craft beer and kombucha), CIJ is commonly used for beverage marking and labelling because it enables non-contact printing across a wide range of substrates. Two examples from the PackMark range include the Markem-Imaje 9750 and 9029 CIJ coders, which are useful for production date coding, time stamp printing, and batch code printing where consistency matters.

If you need crisp, high-resolution printing without contacting the product, TIJ solutions like the Anser X1 can be a strong fit for date coding on wet bottles and expiry date printing. For flexible packaging or film (multipacks, sleeves, wraps), Thermal Transfer Overprinters deliver high-quality printing on films and other flexible materials, ideal for sharper codes on non-rigid surfaces. When durability is non-negotiable, laser coding options are available for permanent marking, depending on your substrate and line requirements.

Secondary Packaging

Case Coding That Connects

Once individual units move into cases, trays, or multipacks, secondary coding becomes the connective tissue for traceability. This is where lot code printing and batch information link individual products to larger shipment batches. They are perfect for supporting quality checks, warehouse scanning, and (when needed) faster, more targeted recalls.

Pyrotec PackMark’s Secondary Coders & Labellers range supports coding and labelling on secondary packaging, so your line remains efficient and uninterrupted.

For portability and flexibility around secondary packaging, solutions like the Anser A1 Printer can support high-speed canning line coding where an inline solution isn’t always practical.

Tertiary Solutions

Print-And-Apply Pallet Labelling For Distribution

When it’s time to ship, tertiary identification becomes a pivotal point of focus. Print-and-apply labelling systems automate the creation and application of scannable labels for pallets (and often outer packaging), helping maintain consistency at scale. 

For example, the Markem-Imaje 2200 Print & Apply series is designed for operational efficiency with interchangeable applicators and for demanding 24/7 environments.

For pallet labelling applications, your best bet would be options like the ALtech ALrobot for automated pallet labelling workflows.

Labelling Systems Need Speed + Precision

Coding is only half the story. Beverage products also rely on accurate label placement for branding and regulatory information, especially with the need for speed. Pyrotec PackMark supplies labelling systems tailored to placement requirements, including high-speed labellers.

Depending on your product shape and throughput, labelling options include systems such as the Harland Sirius, ALtech ALline, and ALtech ALstep/ALritma, supporting consistent application, as misalignment can quickly lead to rework and waste.

Support, Consumables, And Smarter Operations

Beverage lines don’t pause, and neither should your support. Pyrotec PackMark provides technical experts and maintenance support to reduce downtime and keep equipment performing, with Engineering & Parts available to support ongoing reliability.