CJ Logistics Saves 35M box labels by Adopting Spray-on Barcodes

CJ Logistics’ barcode spray printing machines. Inkjet barcode spray printing machines spray barcodes on the sides of boxes much like the way a squid squirts ink, so these types of barcodes are generally called squid ink barcodes in the logistics industry. You can also find a drawing of a squid on these printers. Using this technology, CJ Logistics has removed barcode labels from 35 million boxes in the past three years.

CJ Logistics Sprays Barcodes Directly on Boxes Instead of Attaching Barcode Labels Reducing the Amount of Label Stickers and Paper Sheets Being Used, Which Is About 34 Times the Size of a Soccer Field

CJ Logistics, a provider of innovative technology, is promoting sustainability by using spray-on barcodes instead of attaching labels on the sides of courier boxes. By adding eco-friendly packaging methods based on leading-edge technology together with automation in the mix, a sophisticated ESG packaging process is being created in the logistics industry.

CJ Logistics today announced that they had removed over 35 million coated labels using spray-on barcodes on shipping boxes for the last three years. Industry insiders call this printing method squid ink barcodes because of how barcode spray printing machines, despite not actually using ink, print barcodes in a way that looks similar to how squids shoot out ink.

Due to the nature of eCommerce logistics, which packs diverse products together, it is mandatory to mark barcodes on the side of a box. This is because workers in logistics centers must scan barcodes to check the type and the quantity of products that must be boxed. Many companies first place products customers order in a plastic box and move them to the shipping box, so they print barcodes on a separate label which would then be put on the box.

A Combination of Big Data, Automatic Case Packing and Spray-on Barcode Technologies Form an Ingenious ESG Packaging Process

CJ Logistics, however, eliminated the label-attaching process by merging the spray-on barcode technology and big data capabilities. When automatic case packing machines fold the bottom of the box, the ink printer sprays barcodes on the side of the carboard box. Then, the optimum box that meet customer’s order is put into the logistics warehouse based on big data analyzed by CJ Logistics. Unlike other companies, shipping boxes are used from the very first stage of logistics so there is no need to move products into another box or print the barcode on a separate label and attach in on the corresponding box. CJ Logistics has adopted the process in its eCommerce logistics centers.

Although it may seem like the company got rid of a small label adhered to a box, it actually has huge implications on the environment. Based on a 7cm by 5cm label, the 35 million labels and sticker sheets that CJ Logistics managed to eliminate is equivalent to paper that has an area of 34.3 times the size of a soccer field. Considering that one A4 sheet is about the size of 16 labels and that it requires a 30-year-old tree to produce 10,000 sheets of A4 paper, CJ Logistics has saved a total of 438 30-year-old trees. When including the carbon generated by manufacturing plastic film coating, and adhesives, the impact on the environment is estimated to double or even triple.

Use of an Optimal Box Tailored to Each Order and Paper Packing Materials to Enhance ESG Performance Based on Small Acts With Great Impact

In addition, CJ Logistics optimized the number of cushioning materials used in the logistics process by using boxes tailored to each order, thereby preventing excessive packaging. All supplementary packing materials including cushioning materials, packing materials, and tape are replaced with paper and, therefore, can be recycled.

Moving forward, CJ Logistics will expand its ESG-oriented packaging by adopting more spray-on barcode printers, optimal boxes tailored to each order, and paper packing materials.

Kyung-hoon Kim, Director of TES Innovation Center at CJ Logistics, said, “We are removing unnecessary supplementary materials by adopting advanced technologies and automation. We will aggressively adopt ESG management by introducing more sustainable ways of working in our logistics process based on innovative technologies.”