Markem-Imaje, a global provider of end-to-end supply chain solutions and industrial marking and coding systems, has achieved the BRC Global Standard (BRCGS) Grade AA Packaging Materials Certification. This certification was awarded by the leading global supply chain assessment body for the company’s manufacturing site for Continuous Inkjet (CIJ) inks in Bourg-Lès-Valence, France, making Markem-Imaje the first coding company in Europe to achieve a BRC Global Standard.
Recognized by the Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI), the BRCGS certification is a globally respected benchmark that reassures consumers of safe, legally compliant, and high-quality products. This certification assists food producers worldwide in increasing consumer and partner trust throughout the entire supply chain.
The BRCGS certification was issued on 3 November for two major processes performed at the Markem-Imaje CIJ manufacturing site in Bourg-Lès-Valence:
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- Inks and additives for inkjet printers for coding and marking with direct or indirect food contact.
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- Inks and additives for marking on primary and secondary packaging for food, beverage, pharmaceuticals, cosmetic and other markets.
Mark Rapposelli, Vice President Product Development and Engineering at Markem-Imaje, stated, “The BRC standard is one of most ambitious certifications applicable to marking and coding ink production and demonstrates the commitment of Markem-Imaje to innovating and satisfying both increasing demand by customers and consumers for the highest levels of food safety and compliance.”
He added, “Markem-Imaje serves many leading FMCG brands and we constantly listen to market demands and innovate in anticipation of them. We are very proud of this certification and it is a clear demonstration of the hard work and commitment of our Bourg-Lès-Valence team to implement the highest standards market-wide. We now intend to implement this at all our ink manufacturing sites.”
This certification comes just one year after Markem-Imaje received its first BRCGS, a Grade A Packaging Materials Certification, a first within Europe for this market segment. The Packaging Materials Global Standard, the first to be recognized by the GFSI, has become the global industry benchmark, used by food packaging producers, as well as producers of packaging for all applications, across the supply chain.
The BRCGS provides a robust framework for manufacturers guaranteeing product quality meeting customers’ requirements, while maintaining legal compliance. It is now recognized by many brand owners, retailers, food service companies, and manufacturers around the world when assessing the capabilities of their suppliers.
The BRC-certified inks produced by Markem-Imaje include a large MEK-free ink portfolio that helps reduce consumable consumption and Volatile Organic Compound (VOC) emissions by up to 50%. The inks are also compatible with the recently-launched Markem-Imaje 9750 range of CIJ printers, which are capable of producing the extremely high level of coding required for compliance with international traceability regulations and standards.
The 9750 range includes models specifically developed for the FMCG sector, with peak results, even in high humidity, dusty conditions, and on ultra-fast lines; the first hybrid CIJ coder with the flexibility to mark with either dyes or pigmented inks; and a model primed for producing camera-readable GS1-compliant dynamic codes as small as 5mm, or 0.2 inches high.
Visit www.markem-imaje.com for further information.