2D Codes Transform Beverage Production Efficiency

As beverage manufacturers face increasing regulatory and sustainability pressures, GS1-enabled 2D codes are emerging as a key technology to improve traceability, reduce waste, and support digital supply chains.

Context: Pressure on high-speed beverage production
Industrial beverage production operates at very high throughput levels, often reaching up to 120,000 cans per hour. At this scale, even minor inefficiencies or errors can lead to significant costs, including recalls, product quarantine, and wasted materials.

At the same time, manufacturers must comply with evolving regulations related to sustainability, traceability, and transparency, particularly in Europe. Requirements such as digital product passports and packaging waste regulations are increasing the need for accurate, accessible product data.

Technology shift: From 1D to GS1 2D codes
The transition from traditional 1D barcodes to GS1 2D codes represents a structural change in how product data is managed. These codes can store significantly more information and enable dynamic, data-driven applications.

With the planned phase-out of 1D barcodes in the coming years, manufacturers are expected to adopt 2D codes to ensure compliance and maintain compatibility with retail and supply chain systems.

Operational benefits: Traceability and waste reduction
GS1 2D codes, combined with high-speed vision systems, enable end-to-end traceability across production and distribution. This allows manufacturers to detect and isolate defects more quickly, reducing the risk of large-scale recalls.

Improved traceability also helps prevent mislabelling and unauthorised products from entering the market, supporting both brand protection and regulatory compliance.

By reducing errors and rework, 2D coding contributes directly to waste reduction and improved resource efficiency.

Flexibility: Multi-market compliance and SKU optimisation
Dynamic 2D codes enable manufacturers to store product information digitally rather than on the packaging itself. This reduces the need for market-specific labelling and simplifies packaging design.

As a result, companies can streamline stock-keeping units (SKUs), improve production flexibility, and adapt more easily to different regulatory environments without changing physical packaging.

Integrated solutions combining coding, vision inspection, and data management further enhance efficiency by preventing incorrect or defective packaging from being filled.

Customer engagement and data insights
Beyond operational improvements, 2D codes enable direct interaction with consumers through dynamic QR-based experiences. These can support promotions, loyalty programmes, and personalised content.

Each scan provides data on consumer behaviour, usage patterns, and geographic trends, offering valuable insights for product development and marketing strategies.

Additionally, digital information access supports inclusivity, for example by enabling visually impaired consumers to retrieve product details באמצעות assistive technologies.

Brand protection and compliance
Serialization enabled by 2D codes strengthens protection against counterfeiting, a significant issue in the beverage sector. Secure, traceable identifiers help verify product authenticity throughout the supply chain.

Cloud-based data management also allows rapid updates to product information, reducing the need for recalls when regulatory or safety information changes.

Conclusion: Preparing for a digital supply chain
GS1 2D codes provide a foundation for more efficient, transparent, and sustainable beverage production. As the industry moves toward the phase-out of 1D barcodes, early adoption enables manufacturers to reduce operational risks, improve compliance, and gain competitive advantage in an increasingly data-driven market.

Edited by an industrial journalist, Lekshman Ramdas, with AI assistance.

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