Coding and marking technologies take centre stage at PackMach and Drinktec India

With packaging formats diversifying across food, beverage, FMCG and pharmaceuticals, the three exhibitors — Mehta Hitech Industries, Dotsmark Systems and Videojet Technologies — presented solutions tailored for high-speed lines, flexible packaging, PET bottles and security-driven pharmaceutical applications.

Mehta Hitech Industries presented its LaserJet platform, comprising the F Series (fibre laser), C Series (CO₂ laser) and UV Series. The LaserJet 30C, a 30-Watt CO₂ model, remained the primary option for water-bottle coding, while the 30EF fibre laser targeted pharma bottles, deodorant cans and rigid packs. The company highlighted increasing demand from pharmaceutical users for QR-code-based authentication and noted that internal R&D is underway to support anti-counterfeiting requirements. Across its series, Mehta offers marking windows up to 200 mm, touch-screen interfaces, static and flying modes, barcode and QR options, and both fan- and water-cooled configurations.

Dotsmark Systems, meanwhile, focused on its UV and fibre laser coders, positioned as alternatives to high-consumption TTO systems on flexible packaging lines. The compact UV model, jointly developed with Dekai, has been deployed on FFS machines for brands such as Amul, reducing consumable costs by eliminating ribbons. The company’s UV offerings include the DLU500F and DLU520, both 5-Watt UV lasers suited for HDPE, LDPE, PP and PET films, and the DLF1000, a 100-Watt fibre laser for engineering polymers and metal substrates. Dotsmark also emphasised strong interest from PET bottlers, noting that laser and CIJ remain the preferred technologies for dairy, beverage and FMCG plants.

Videojet Technologies presented a broader platform spanning continuous inkjet (CIJ), laser systems, thermal inkjet (TIJ) and thermal transfer overprinters (TTO). The company positioned CIJ as its high-speed workhorse for multi-substrate environments, and showcased the Videojet 3210 CO₂ laser, capable of up to 1,300 characters per second with marking windows up to 72 × 115 mm. The laser portfolio extends across CO₂, fibre and UV formats, complemented by TIJ systems for variable-data printing and TTO solutions built for flexible packaging, long ribbon lengths and airless operation. Videojet also highlighted its service and lifecycle-support network, with over 400,000 printers installed globally and a footprint across 26 countries.

Across the show floor, the three exhibitors reflected the broader market shift towards lower operating costs, finer code precision, QR-ready serialization and compatibility with lightweight, flexible substrates. Laser systems — particularly UV platforms — appeared to draw the strongest interest from beverage, dairy and FMCG visitors, while CIJ and TIJ technologies continued to hold their ground for high-speed, mixed-material requirements. As brands strengthen traceability, date coding and anti-counterfeiting frameworks, coding technologies remain a central part of automation investments showcased at this year’s event.