Linx Printing Technologies (linxglobal.com) has launched a returnable Linx black bottling ink 1068 to enable the reuse of glass bottles used in the drinks industry.

Once the Linx Black bottling ink 1068 has been used for printing batch and date codes, the bottles are returned after use. The ink is then removed in the bottle-washing process, enabling new codes to be printed onto them ahead of reuse.

A recent survey by Linx found that 89 percent of those questioned were concerned about the impact of soft drink packaging on the environment — and that 91 percent would welcome a scheme to enable the reuse of glass drinks bottles. 

The black bottling ink can print clearly onto glass in cold-fill bottling and in humid environments. It has also been designed to cope with the challenges of providing clear, legible codes for bottled drinks — for example, by resisting removal when subjected to pasteurization, immersed in ice water, stored in a warehouse for long periods or refrigerated. This reduces the likelihood of product recalls.

“Consumers are looking for solutions that minimize the impact of drinks packaging on the environment. The opportunity exists for brands to introduce effective solutions for the reuse of bottles — and by ensuring the latest coding inks can be removed as part of the process, we are helping to enable the creation of these schemes," says John Tierney, marketing director at Linx.

Linx has also upgraded its 8900 series of Continuous Ink Jet (CIJ) printers with new software that allows more applications.