At PACK EXPO International 2026, from October 18–21 at McCormick Place in Chicago, LEIBINGER will put the production realities behind the 2D transition in focus – with the Americas debut of the 2DJET product concept, live IQJET demonstrations and two Innovation Stage sessions addressing code performance and the hidden operating costs of conventional CIJ.

Packaging manufacturers are facing increasing pressure: More SKUs and formats, growing traceability requirements, and workforce constraints are converging with the need to maintain high productivity while keeping operational complexity under control. Recent PMMI data highlights the relevance of these challenges: 70% of respondents identify productivity as their top operational priority, while 52% rank regulations, traceability and track-and-trace among upcoming operational uncertainties.

With its “Ambition 2027,” also known as GS1 Sunrise 2027, GS1 aims for retail point-of-sale systems worldwide to be capable of processing GS1-standardized 2D codes by the end of 2027. These codes can carry significantly more information than traditional barcodes. For manufacturers, however, the challenge lies in production: the codes must be printed reliably at high speeds across different materials and packaging geometries. At the same time, the transition to 2D codes should be as straightforward as possible, without requiring major modifications to existing production lines.

This is exactly the challenge LEIBINGER developed 2DJET to address. The new coding technology produces high-resolution, GS1-compliant 2D codes at up to 300 dpi and production speeds of up to 120 m/min. Code quality is verified according to ISO/IEC 15415. Its contactless printing concept and throw distance of up to 8 mm provide flexibility across films, plastics, cartons, coated materials and different package geometries, while the compact printhead supports integration where space or product movement can make installation challenging. A continuous ink supply concept and cartridge replacement during operation are designed to keep production running without stopping the line for routine consumable changes. The commercial launch of 2DJET is planned for 2027. PACK EXPO will be the first opportunity for manufacturers in the Americas to experience the technology concept.

Photo: LEIBINGER