For many consumers, pets are part of the family – and expectations regarding the food they receive are correspondingly high. Manufacturers must reliably detect potential foreign bodies, ensure the correct product weight and identify quality defects before products reach the market.

The challenge is that pet food is anything but standardized. Wet food may be packed in cans, aluminum trays or flexible pouches, while dry food ranges from smaller packages to large, heavy bags. Different products, packaging materials and dimensions require inspection technology that can adapt accordingly.

One industry, many inspection challenges

X-ray inspection offers pet food manufacturers the flexibility to inspect a wide variety of products and packaging formats. Depending on the application, it can detect high-density foreign bodies such as metal, glass, stones or bone fragments – even inside packaging that can be challenging for other inspection technologies.

Aluminum trays are a good example. The metallic packaging itself makes conventional metal detection difficult, while X-ray technology enables inspection through the packaging material. Flexible pouches present different challenges due to their shape and product distribution, while large bags of dry food require systems capable of reliably handling significantly greater dimensions and weights.

Inspection can also take place before packaging. Bulk products can be checked before entering the filling process, adding another control point to the production line.

Safety and weight control in one process

Foreign body detection is only one part of product quality. Correct weight is equally important – both for regulatory compliance and for efficient production.

Wipotec checkweighers continuously verify product weight during ongoing production. Where both weight control and foreign body detection are required, the technologies can also be combined in a single system.

The Wipotec SC-W, for example, combines X-ray inspection with dynamic checkweighing. This allows two essential quality checks to take place within one compact solution – an advantage particularly where production space is limited or manufacturers want to reduce the number of individual machines and product transfers along the line.

Looking beyond foreign bodies

Modern X-ray inspection can do more than detect contaminants. Depending on the application, systems can also perform additional quality checks, including completeness and fill-level control.

Combined with other technologies such as metal detection, optical inspection, marking and verification, manufacturers can configure an inspection concept that reflects the specific requirements of their product and production environment.

This modular approach is particularly relevant in pet food manufacturing, where one production site may handle multiple recipes, package sizes and packaging materials.

Different packaging. One goal.

Whether wet food is packed in an aluminum tray, a portion is sealed in a flexible pouch or several kilograms of dry food leave the line in a large bag, the objective remains the same: safe pet food and reliable quality control.

Wipotec inspection solutions are designed to support manufacturers across these different applications – from product inspection before packaging to final weight and quality control.

Because packaging may change, products may vary, and production requirements may differ. But when it comes to pet food safety, the goal remains the same.

Read more about it: Product inspection of pet food and watch all our videos about it.

At MTN, the dialysis concentrates are filled into canisters and are automatically labeled. In practice, MTN handles a wide variety of different products, packaging, labels, and country-specific designs. In the past, many parameters had to be set manually during changeovers – which is a time-consuming process that is also prone to errors.

MTN therefore decided to automate the marking process and at the same time integrate reliable quality control directly into the process.

The solution: Printing, labeling, and inspection in a single system

The system in use is one from the Wipotec TQS series. It combines several functions that are performed by separate different devices in most production lines.

Two labeling units are integrated in the MTN configuration, each of which marks one side of the canister. One unit is also equipped with a printer that prints variable data onto the label before applying the label. A camera system then automatically checks the position and legibility of the labels.

Transport, labeling, printing, and inspection are now integrated into a single system with a centralized control. As a result, the individual process steps are seamlessly integrated and can be easily operated, monitored, and connected to higher-level systems. Instead of configuring and monitoring several separate devices, operators control all functions using one central interface. Article parameters are loaded from the system in a simple and repeatable way. This reduces the potential for errors, making it easier to switch between products and also simplifying staff training.

Integration into existing and future production processes

In addition to marking, integration into the existing production line was a decisive factor for MTN. TQS has been integrated into the existing installation and fits seamlessly into the existing process. At the same time, it is part of a more extensive upgrade project in which MTN is gradually automating its production lines. The modular architecture of TQS allows for easy adaptation to future plant configurations.

TQS will be enhanced with a checkweigher as part of the production line upgrade. This will allow MTN to measure, monitor, and document the weight of each individual canister in future, rather than just looking at the total weight of a batch.

Greater process safety – a solid foundation for the next steps

By implementing TQS, MTN has “taken an important step toward automation and quality assurance”, according to Britt Steiner. The combination of automated labeling, variable data printing, and subsequent quality control has proved effective:

• Automated quality assurance
• Simplified operation, processes, and training
• Faster and safer article changeovers
• Labeling error incidence reduced from 65 % to 2 %
• Foundation laid for further expansion phases

Although the specifications for the next lines differ significantly, the first joint solution has shown that Wipotec is a practical and reliable partner in achieving challenging objectives.

Our customer

NIPRO Medical Europe
MTN Neubrandenburg GmbH
MTN Neubrandenburg GmbH is an established manufacturer of dialysis concentrates. As part of Nipro Medical Europe, a global leader in renal care products, MTN is committed to high quality standards and innovative solutions for renal replacement therapy.

Established: 1984
Location: Neubrandenburg, Germany
Products: Dialysis concentrates
More information: www.nipro-group.com

Over the years, this partnership has developed into much more than a business relationship. It has become a story of shared growth, continuous exchange, and collective success. Together, Wipotec and Toledo do Brasil have worked on innovative solutions, strengthened their market presence, and created real added value for customers across South America.

At the heart of this success is trust. Trust in each other’s expertise, trust in the quality of the solutions delivered, and trust in the people who make this collaboration possible every day. Through open communication, technical know-how, and a strong team spirit, both companies have been able to turn common objectives into measurable results.

To mark this special occasion, Wipotec presented its Brazilian colleagues with a commemorative Triangle as a symbol of appreciation and gratitude. This gesture reflects not only the milestones already achieved but also the strong connection between the teams and the shared commitment to future success.

“We remain fully committed to collaborating on X-ray and checkweigher projects. Based on what we have achieved together so far, I am confident that this partnership will continue to grow from strength to strength,” said Andreas Kegel, Sales Director for South America.

Alberto Gómez, Regional Marketing Manager LATAM, also emphasized the importance of this collaboration: “This partnership demonstrates how combining complementary efforts can create truly outstanding results. By enhancing both quality and service, this synergy delivers significant value and tangible benefits to our customers.”

Beyond the projects completed and the results achieved, this partnership stands for teamwork, reliability, and a shared passion for excellence. Every milestone reached is the result of people working together across borders, combining experience, dedication, and innovation to support customers in the best possible way.

As we look back with appreciation, we also look ahead with great enthusiasm. The journey with Toledo do Brasil continues, and we are excited to keep growing, innovating, and building new success stories together.

Muito obrigado to our entire Brazilian family. We look forward to many more years of partnership, trust, and shared achievements.

Watch the full video here.

The topic was approached from a simple but powerful question: What if products could tell their own story?

The circular economy is no longer a distant vision. It is becoming a business imperative — driven by sustainability goals, regulatory pressure, and growing consumer expectations.

But what if every product could actually communicate where it came from, what it is made of, and where it should go after use?

This idea may sound futuristic, yet it is rapidly becoming reality through digital product marking, QR codes, and connected data systems.

Today’s economy still follows a largely linear model: take, make, waste. Products are manufactured, consumed, and discarded — often without transparency about materials, origin, or recyclability. As a result, valuable resources are lost, recycling processes become inefficient, and sustainability claims remain difficult to verify.

The challenge is clear: without transparency, there can be no true circular economy.

From Linear to Circular Thinking

The transition toward circularity requires more than recyclable materials. It requires data.

Manufacturers, recyclers, retailers, and consumers all need access to reliable product information across the entire lifecycle. This includes:

• Material composition
• Product origin
• Repairability
• CO₂ footprint
• Recycling instructions
• End-of-life pathways

This is exactly where digital technologies become essential.

By giving every product a unique digital identity — for example through printed or laser-marked QR codes — products become part of an intelligent data ecosystem rather than isolated physical objects.

A simple scan can unlock an entire digital product history.

Why Digital Product Marking Matters

Digital product marking creates the foundation for traceability and transparency. Every marked product can generate valuable lifecycle data throughout production, distribution, use, reuse, and recycling.

This enables manufacturers to:

• Track products across the supply chain
• Improve recycling and material recovery
• Enable Digital Product Passports (DPP)
• Support sustainability reporting
• Increase consumer trust through transparency
• Prepare for future regulatory requirements

One code can enable three critical functions simultaneously:

1. Data generation and traceability
2. Compliance with upcoming regulations
3. Consumer engagement through digital interaction

Or, as Thomas describes it: “Small Keys can open Big Doors.”

Compliance Is Becoming Strategic

European regulations such as the Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) and the Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR) are accelerating this transformation.

These regulations are reshaping the market by making transparency mandatory.

Manufacturers will increasingly need to provide verifiable information about packaging and products, including recyclability, material composition, environmental impact, and lifecycle data. Digital Product Passports are expected to become a central tool for achieving this transparency.

This means product marking is no longer just a technical add-on.

It becomes strategic infrastructure.

Without product identity, there is no reliable data. Without data, there is no traceability. And without traceability, compliance and market access become increasingly difficult.

From Compliance to Competitive Advantage

Forward-thinking companies are already moving beyond minimum requirements.

Projects such as Coca-Cola’s RefPET serialization initiative demonstrate how digital identities can support recycling systems, traceability, and customer engagement simultaneously.

The real opportunity lies not only in fulfilling regulations, but in building entirely new levels of trust and interaction.

Consumers increasingly want to know:

• Where products come from
• How sustainable they really are
• How they can be repaired or recycled
• Whether environmental claims are transparent and verifiable

Digital links and connected QR codes transform products from “black boxes” into “open windows.”

The Future of Circularity Starts with Data

The circular economy begins with visibility.

When products can communicate their composition, journey, and recycling pathways, materials can remain in circulation longer, and waste can be significantly reduced.

The future points toward interoperable systems where manufacturers, recyclers, retailers, and consumers share access to the same trusted product information.

From a linear lifecycle to an intelligent circular system.

The question is no longer whether digital transparency will become necessary.

The real question is:

Have you already treated product marking as strategic infrastructure?

Because sustainability is no longer optional — it is an expectation.

And the companies that start building the right digital foundations today will be the ones shaping the standards of tomorrow.

Fully Integrated System for Maximum Process Efficiency

The TQS unit is designed to consolidate multiple critical production steps into one seamless operation:

• High-precision dynamic checkweighing (legal-for-trade compliant)
• Front and back labeling for various container shapes
• Thermal Transfer Overprinting (TTO) for variable data printing
• Integrated camera-based inspection systems
• Real-time quality control and verification

By merging these functionalities into one centrally controlled system, TQS significantly reduces system complexity, minimizes interfaces, and improves overall line efficiency and uptime. 

High-Quality 2D Code Printing and Reliable Verification

A key feature of the system is the fully integrated thermal-transfer overprinter, enabling the application of:

• High-resolution 2D codes (Data Matrix / QR codes)
• Batch-specific and serialized data
• Variable production information in real time

Each printed label is automatically verified by an integrated vision inspection system, ensuring maximum readability and data accuracy. This is essential for track & trace applications, anti-counterfeiting strategies, and compliance with regulatory requirements. Serialization enables each individual container to carry unique data, such as:

• Batch number
• Production date and time
• Product identification
• Quality and process data

This creates full transparency across the entire supply chain and supports digitalized production environments (Industry 4.0).

Comprehensive In-Line Quality Inspection

Beyond weighing and labeling, the TQS platform integrates multiple inspection functions within the same system:

• Cap presence and correct placement verification
• Material and color inspection
• Label presence, position, and correctness checks
• Print quality and code validation

This ensures that all quality parameters are monitored continuously, reducing waste, avoiding rework, and enhancing product reliability.

Flexible Handling of Complex Container Shapes

TQS is specifically engineered to handle a wide variety of packaging formats, including:

• Round bottles
• Square and shaped canisters
• Different sizes and materials

The system allows for fast and reproducible product changeovers, making it ideal for both high-volume production lines and small batch manufacturing with high product variability.

Centralized Control with Intuitive HMI

All system functions are managed via a single rotating multitouch HMI, accessible from both the front and rear of the machine. This ergonomic design improves operator usability and ensures efficient interaction with the system in various line configurations.

Seamless Integration into Digital Production Environments

The TQS platform supports integration into higher-level systems such as MES and ERP via standardized communication protocols (e.g., OPC UA). This enables:

• Centralized data management
• Automatic parameter loading
• Real-time production monitoring
• Enhanced process transparency

The result is a future-proof solution aligned with the principles of smart manufacturing and digital transformation.

One Platform – Multiple Advantages

By combining weighing, labeling, printing, inspection, and traceability into a single unit, TQS delivers:

• Reduced system complexity
• Lower maintenance and training effort
• Improved production efficiency
• Increased process reliability
• Enhanced product quality and compliance

As Product Manager Daniel Anders highlights:
"We expect strong interest when presenting this solution at interpack 2026, as it demonstrates the integration capability of our TQS platform."

Read our story of success and watch the video.

Experience TQS Live at interpack 2026

The TQS solution will be showcased at interpack 2026, the leading global trade fair for packaging and processing technologies. Hall 15 | Booth C42

Discover how integrated inspection and traceability solutions can elevate your production performance and ensure maximum quality standards.

Foreign bodies such as stones, metal fragments, or glass represent a significant risk throughout the coffee supply chain. These contaminants can enter during harvesting, processing, or packaging—posing potential health risks and damaging equipment. Traditional metal detectors alone are often insufficient, especially when metallized packaging is involved.

Modern X-ray inspection systems provide a reliable solution by detecting a wide range of foreign bodies, regardless of packaging type. They enable manufacturers to establish critical control points (CCPs) directly after filling processes, ensuring consistent product safety.

Early inspection—particularly in the bulk flow of raw or roasted beans—offers key advantages. It protects downstream equipment, reduces product loss, and minimizes manual rework. In addition, implementing a two-step inspection process allows rejected material to be rechecked, helping recover valuable product and optimize yield.

Different packaging formats require tailored inspection approaches. Bags and pouches benefit from integrated X-ray systems combined with checkweighers to ensure correct fill levels and compliance with legal requirements. Stick packs can be inspected individually for maximum precision or within secondary packaging for higher throughput. Glass jars and cans require advanced multi-angle X-ray configurations to reliably detect contaminants, even in challenging areas such as sidewalls or bottoms.

For coffee capsules, ultra-precise weighing technology ensures accurate dosing directly during filling, while final inspection systems verify correct quantities in packaged units. At the end of the line, checkweighers confirm that shipping units contain the correct number of products—preventing costly delivery errors and returns.

By combining X-ray inspection and checkweighing technologies, coffee producers can significantly enhance product safety, reduce waste, and improve overall efficiency. In a competitive market, these solutions not only protect consumers but also strengthen brand reputation and deliver a fast return on investment.

With the HC-MWS automatic meter weight scale, Wipotec offers the innovative solution that meets the highest requirements for accurate weight detection in continuous extrusion processes.

Introducing the HC-MWS Meter Weight Scale

Immediately after extrusion, the system measures the meter weight of treads and sidewalls with the highest accuracy. Under- or overweight segments can be detected and removed at an early stage, before they cause scrap in later production steps. This saves material and energy and significantly improves your overall production efficiency.

Unique Functional Advantages

The HC-MWS combines several proven features developed and refined over many years.

Our patented in process calibration functionality ensures the determination of the real meter weight of the produced tire tread or side wall. In this process, a crosscheck of dynamic and static weight is performed to ensure that both measurements produce identical results. Once set up the system does not require frequent readjustments.

AVC (Active Vibration Compensation) determines environmental vibrations, caused by surrounding equipment, to enable precise measurements even in the harsh tire manufacturing environment. This eliminates costly floor cutting isolation measures typically required by conventional systems.

The HC-MWS also delivers stable accuracy despite temperature or material tension fluctuations.

As a result, it sets a new benchmark for precise weighing in the extrusion process for tire treads and side walls.

HC-MWS at a Glance

• Highest precision to meet strict automotive quality standards
• Accurate error position tracking during production
• Patented in process calibration functionality
• Active Vibration Compensation, resistant against surrounding noise
• No decoupling, no floor cutting required
• Stable under temperature and material tension fluctuations
• Modular design for seamless retrofit projects

Tailored to Your Production

Flexibility is another strong advantage of the HC-MWS system: it can be configured as a single-lane version for treads, a dual-lane setup for sidewalls, or a combined solution to cover both applications. Complementary Wipotec products are also available for final tire inspection, allowing for a gapless quality management process across all stages of production.

Summarised, the HC-MWS gives tire manufacturers a powerful and efficient tool to enhance measurable quality, reduce scrap, and cut long-term costs.

Meet our technology at the Wipotec Booth 2020 during Tire Technology Expo and discover how advanced weighing technology can redefine precision and efficiency in your tire production.

With its many years of expertise in conveyor technology as well as unit conveying and sorting, Wipotec Systemtechnik ideally complements the existing service portfolio of the Wipotec Business Unit Mail & Logistics. This Business Unit has successfully been providing solutions for the CEP industry for many years. The combination of established know-how, system competence, and hands-on experience creates additional value for customers in the logistics industry.

Another important step in the company’s development: Wipotec Systemtechnik has moved into new, larger facilities, thereby laying the foundation for further growth and bringing demanding customer projects to life.

Together, both companies stand for end-to-end, high-performance solutions along logistics processes—cooperative, efficient, and future-oriented.

One of the key highlights featured Wipotec’s collaboration with Coca-Cola in Latin America. The global beverage leader approached Wipotec with a challenge: to track and trace refillable PET bottles throughout their entire life cycle. Traditional labeling methods failed to provide the durability required for reusable containers.

Wipotec responded with a pioneering laser-based marking technology that applies a serialized QR code directly onto the bottle surface — unique, permanent, and damage-free. This innovation allows every single bottle to be traced from production to refilling, creating transparency in material flows and supporting Coca-Cola’s sustainability goals.

“Our solution enables full traceability and helps reduce waste by ensuring each container can be reused safely and efficiently,” said a Wipotec representative during the FachPack TV interview. “It’s a vital step toward digitalizing the circular economy.”

Expanding Beyond Beverages

Building on decades of expertise in serialization and quality assurance developed in the pharmaceutical industry, Wipotec now applies its know-how across multiple sectors — including agrochemicals, petrochemicals, coatings, and the food industry.

For example, Wipotec’s systems perform 100% inspection of paint buckets, verifying lids, labels, and seals with a 360° optical system to guarantee product safety and compliance. Similar solutions are used by BASF, Meguin, and other leading manufacturers to ensure quality and enable full traceability throughout production.

Automation and Sustainability at the Core

In times of growing labor shortages and rising quality standards, Wipotec’s fully automated inspection and documentation systems replace manual spot checks with continuous, data-driven monitoring. The result: improved process efficiency, reduced human error, and increased product safety.

Sustainability remains the guiding principle across all innovations. Wipotec’s marking and inspection solutions directly support emerging regulations such as the Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR), the Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR), and the Digital Product Passport (DPP) initiative — key components of the European Union’s sustainability agenda.

“Sustainability is no longer a trend — it’s a necessity,” Wipotec emphasized. “Digitalization and data transparency are fundamental to achieving a truly circular economy. Our technologies make that possible.”

Watch the Full Interview

To learn more about how Wipotec is advancing sustainable marking and inspection technologies across industries, watch the exclusive FachPack TV interview on our LinkedIn profile.

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If you speak German, you can watch the full interview here.

About WipotecWipotec is a global leader in dynamic weighing and product inspection technology. With decades of experience in precision engineering, automation, and serialization, Wipotec develops high-performance solutions that ensure product safety, transparency, and efficiency across the pharmaceutical, food, chemical, and logistics industries.

For more information, visit www.wipotec.com or follow Wipotec on LinkedIn.