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Markem-Imaje will demonstrate its suite of connected packaging hardware and software solutions at PACK EXPO International 2026 (Booth S-1614, October 18–21; McCormick Place, Chicago, IL). As consumer goods manufacturers face new regulatory pressures, calls for transparency, and shift to more digitally connected supply chains, Markem-Imaje is uniquely positioned as a single-source partner to future-proof packaging lines.
Comprehensive, Customizable & Scalable
Markem-Imaje's comprehensive suite of hardware, software, and integration services can adapt to the needs of CPGs through every phase of this digital transformation.
“The transition to 2D barcodes is a fundamental digital transformation for packaging, the plant floor, and the wider supply chain,” said Stephen Gryczka, Director of Strategy and Corporate Development at Markem-Imaje. “U.S. manufacturers need a scalable strategy that turns data into actionable operational efficiency and retail compliance.”
At the show, Markem-Image will feature its recently launched CoLOS® 2D Activate and CoLOS® 2D Engage. Both are Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) enterprise solutions that enable global CPG and FMCG brands to create, organize, activate and manage static and dynamic GS1 Digital Link QR codes. Markem-Imaje’s implementation experts can also provide manufacturers with a structured assessment of production environments, coding processes and operational readiness.
CoLOS® Software Version 7: Manage Multi-site Data with Security
PACK EXPO attendees will see the North American debut of the CoLOS® Software Version 7, a secure suite designed to optimize label and packaging line execution by enabling threat detection, higher OEE and pre-consumer waste reduction. Post-production, manufacturers benefit from retailer compliance, track and trace capabilities, and consumer engagement opportunities. Available via traditional on-premises installation or a cloud-based subscription model, Version 7 eliminates inconsistency errors and maximizes line uptime through a highly responsive next-generation web interface that easily integrates into IT environments for minimal disruption. Updates include:
- Centralized Multi-Site Control: Establishes a global single source of truth, allowing organizations to design, control, and automate approval workflows for messages and labels across multiple factories simultaneously.
- Industrial Cybersecurity: Certified for the strict IEC 62443-4-2 standard, empowering companies to securely migrate local production software to centralized IT infrastructure without data integrity risks.
Hardware Solutions that Support Speed and Flexibility
Markem-Imaje will also feature hardware solutions to advance factory throughput and help manufacturers meet sustainability goals:
- Direct-to-Box Printing: The 5940 G Touch Dry® solution prints high-quality graphics and barcodes—including GS1 Digital Link compliant 2D codes—directly onto corrugate, utilizing solvent-free, zero-VOC wax inks to eliminate label waste.
- Maximizing Flexibility: Designed for medium- and heavy-duty continuous lines, the 9712 Bi-Jet CIJ printer delivers sharp 2D barcodes on curved and flat surfaces, maximizing with options to print two times faster or twice the amount of information.
- Laser Printing Portfolio: Fast, high-quality, and chemical-free options on display will include the company’s CO2 laser marking technology suitable for film, laminates, PET bottles, and inked paper and metal caps, Fiber laser high-contrast marking for bare metal and rigid plastics for electronics and FMCG applications, UV laser technology for delicate substrates, and ultraviolet printing—an alternative to CO2 or fiber laser printing.
Guiding Brands Through the 2D Barcode & GS1 Sunrise 2027 Transition
The impending GS1 Sunrise 2027 milestone is accelerating the shift from traditional 1D barcodes to 2D barcodes across the globe. Adoption of GS1 Digital Link QR codes enables brands to consolidate product, supply chain, and retail data into a single, scan-ready code that serves multiple purposes across the product lifecycle:
- Operational Control: Allows real-time tracking from unit level to pallet, facilitating inventory and expiry date management, helping companies seamlessly and efficiently navigate potential recalls.
- Supply Chain Transparency: Embeds richer manufacturing data to easily comply with regulations like the U.S. FSMA.
- Consumer Engagement: Acts as a direct communication channel, allowing consumers to scan labels to verify authenticity, view sustainability credentials, or access marketing promotions.
“Stewarding this change doesn't have to be overwhelming,” added Gryczka. “Whether a manufacturer is taking their first step toward 2D barcodes or upgrading a multi-site global infrastructure, Markem-Imaje provides the integrated end-to-end expertise to companies achieve compliance, boost efficiency, and future-proof their operations with confidence.”
Attendees are invited to see live technology demonstrations and discuss their GS1 Digital Link 2D barcode transition strategies with Markem-Imaje experts at PACK EXPO International 2026.
