Barcode-blocker breakthrough

A brand new packaging material that its manufacturer says will stop the widespread problem of ‘double scanning’ in multipacks is about to hit the market.
The new material is the brainchild of Hi-Cone – a firm specialising in multi-packaging for beverage, food and consumer goods – and is the result of ten years’ development.
It contains a special chemical additive which prevents scanners from reading the barcodes on individual cans or bottles – only the one on the multipack can be registered.
Hi-Cone developed the material in response to major concerns from retailers who are losing large sums of money as consumers are charged for just one can or bottle rather than the whole pack.
The firm says double scanning is a growing problem in the UK and throughout Europe as infrared scanners become increasingly sensitive and multipackaging materials more lightweight.
The barcode blocker will be available in special orders of Hi-Cone’s environmentally friendly multi-packaging for cans and PET or glass bottles.
“Double scanning is a real problem for retailers so we are delighted to have found a solution with this remarkable breakthrough,” says Ton Hoppenbrouwers, Hi-Cone’s European director of business development. “It fits well in our win-win strategy by offering new packs which deliver benefits to both retailers as well as beverage companies.
“Our new multipacks offer added value, without increasing weight or volume to the packaging supply chain.”