Supply Chain Collaboration Leads to Innovative New Label Solution for IFCO RPCs
Safford, AZ, May 22, 2023—DRG Technologies, a leading custom label manufacturer, is excited to announce a collaboration with IFCO, a top supplier of reusable packaging containers (RPCs); fresh produce growers; and Avery Dennison, a labeling and functional material developer. The project resulted in an innovative label solution designed specifically for growers and packers.
The new solution addresses the issue of excessive label residue on (RPCs), which has been an industry challenge. Product traceability from farm to table is critical for the safe and efficient transport of produce as well as public safety. Labels used on RPCs must perform well in a variety of challenging environments. During the RPC sanitation process, the labels must be easily removable to ensure complete sanitation and to prepare the RPCs for reuse.
The result of the collaboration is a completely removable, cost-effective label that will remain reliable throughout the supply chain. The new label, made from paper, has undergone extensive field testing by IFCO and DRG across several different commodities and pack types where film labels are currently being used, including field, shed, and cooler. The new label has shown equivalent functionality to film in those environments, providing growers and packers with a reliable labeling solution.
“We are excited to offer this unique solution to our customers,” said Paul Forsythe, DRG Director of Product Development. “Our first objective was 100 percent removability, and we accomplished that. Our second objective was cost containment – the label couldn’t cost more than the current labels being used. DRG not only accomplished this objective, but we beat it. The new material significantly lowers the cost of the label compared to any currently approved labels. This is very exciting for the industry.”
With the new label solution, growers and packers can be confident in the safety and efficiency of the produce supply chain, ensuring that consumers receive high-quality, fresh produce from farm to table.
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About DRG Technologies
For more than 30 years, DRG Technologies have provided product identification solutions that add value and deliver bottom-line results for customers across industries. With capabilities that include durable labels, blank labels, manuals, instruction sheets, ribbons, printers, and packaging tapes, DRG aims to provide the most cost-effective solution to its customers. Learn more at www.drgtech.com
About Avery Dennison
Avery Dennison Corporation (NYSE: AVY) is a global materials science and digital identification solutions company that provides branding and information labeling solutions, including pressure-sensitive materials, radio-frequency identification (RFID) inlays and tags, and a variety of converted products and solutions. The company designs and manufactures a wide range of labeling and functional materials that enhance branded packaging, carry or display information that connects the physical and the digital, and improve customers’ product performance. Learn more at www.averydennison.com.
About IFCO
IFCO is the leading global provider of reusable packaging solutions for fresh foods, serving customers in 50+ countries. IFCO operates a pool of over 370 million Reusable Packaging Containers (RPCs) globally, which are used for 2 billion shipments of fresh fruits and vegetables, meat, poultry, seafood, eggs, bread, and other items from suppliers to grocery retailers every year. IFCO RPCs ensure a better fresh food supply chain by protecting freshness and quality and lowering costs, food waste, and environmental impact compared to single-use packaging. Learn more at www.ifco.com