SCRIBOS wins the German Packaging Award: A revolutionary Honey Packaging Solution
SCRIBOS, together with our parent company Leonhard KURZ, has been honoured with the prestigious German Packaging Award in the Digitalization category. Out of nearly 250 entries from 13 countries, our innovative "Sweet Honey" smart packaging solution was recognised for its ground-breaking approach to digitalisation in packaging.
The price recognizes the innovative honey packaging designed by KURZ Design Management, which not only captivates the eye but also integrates advanced security features to combat the prevalent issue of counterfeit honey.
Counterfeit honey: A growing concern
According to the Deutsche Landwirtschaftsgesellschaft (DLG) report on 'Food Fraud in Germany,' honey is the 6th most counterfeited product in Germany. In the EU, honey ranks even higher on the list of counterfeited goods, as a significant percentage of honey imports from countries like China and Turkey are compromised. 46% of honey products tested in the EU were found to be falsified, with figures rising to 74% for Chinese imports and 93% for Turkish imports. This rampant counterfeiting poses significant risks, including health hazards, resource wastage and a loss of consumer trust in brands and products.
Counterfeiters often produce fake honey using sugar water or by adulterating genuine honey to increase profit margins. Contrary to common belief, this is not only a common practice for expensive honey, like Manuka, but for any commercially available honey.
Without sophisticated anti-counterfeiting measures, detecting fake honey requires extensive food analysis.
A multifaceted security feature
To address this challenge, SCRIBOS developed a unique, multifaceted product protection strategy for its award-winning honey package. In combination it becomes a testament to the power of combining embellishment, digital printing, variable design and advanced security elements for brand protection.
Here’s a detailed look at the specific features that make this packaging nearly impossible to counterfeit:
1) Primary Feature: SCRIBOS ValiGate® security feature
- The security feature should be non-copiable. The feature must be unique and not replicable by counterfeiters.
- It has to be easy to access and verify. The feature should be easily accessible and verifiable by consumers without requiring a specialized app.
- It should offer robust brand protection. The system must enable brand owners to identify fakes and take action against counterfeiters.
All these considerations were combined to create our standout SCRIBOS ValiGate® security feature, which can be found on our award-winning honey packaging.
Our ValiGate® security feature utilizes unique serialisation, assigning each product an unforgeable ID – much like an individual ID card.
This copy-protected, serialised feature, which in this case comes in the form of the QR code, can be printed with any HP Indigo printer and scanned using any smartphone, eliminating the need for a specialized app.
Consumers can easily verify the product's authenticity by scanning the QR code, which provides information on ingredients, recyclability and sustainability. In addition to product information, the security feature also facilitates customer engagement through loyalty programs, bonus points, prize draws and redirection to product videos, social media channels and online shops.
In combination with our digital platform SCRIBOS 360, the feature also enables brand owners to trace the product journey from manufacturer to end customer, offering invaluable insights from each individual consumer scan.
2) Two-Factor Authentication
The honey packaging employs a robust two-factor authentication system.
- Factor 1: The scan of the ValiGate® security feature informs the consumer immediately if the product is genuine or counterfeit.
- Factor 2: The consumer receives an image showing a three-digit metallized code and a bee with a specific design, orientation, and position. The consumer then can compare the displayed position of a bee on their smartphone with the bee on their packaging to verify its authenticity. Each bee’s position and orientation are unique, providing an additional layer of security.
This gamified approach encourages consumers to engage with the packaging and verify its authenticity. The principle is akin to a slot machine, where each product has a different combination of symbols and only the correct combination indicates an authentic product.
3) Variable Design Elements
Bee Position and Orientation & Different Honeycomb Patterns: Each label showcases a bee in a unique design, position and orientation, making it difficult for counterfeiters to imitate. This innovative design was developed with assistance from HP Mosaic software, allowing for the creation of diverse designs to ensure each label is unique. Leveraging digital printing on HP Indigo printers, variable elements are seamlessly integrated without extra costs, enhancing security measures without inflating production expenses.
The packaging itself includes bees that vary from one package to another in number, design, position and orientation. Furthermore, the background honeycomb pattern on each label is designed using HP Collage, resulting in a unique pattern for every package, further complicating counterfeiting attempts.
Three-Digit Metallized Code: The three-digit metallized code on the packaging is printed digitally and varies on every label, adding another layer of complexity that is hard to duplicate. This code and other visual elements are produced using KURZ's digital metal finishing technology, which allows for high-quality, variable, and digital enhancements.
This combination of digital printing, variable design, and digital metal finishing makes the packaging exceptionally unique and secure.
A glimpse into the design
The honey packaging designed by KURZ Design Management’s Senior Designer, Julia König, invites consumers on a visual journey into the beehive. By entering through a slit in the outer packaging, consumers follow the bees into the interior. Upon opening, they are presented with a bird's eye view of honeycombs, complete with bees crawling on them. Continuing to follow the bees reveals the honey (glass) inside, with holes in the label offering a peek at the contents.
The design therefore vividly replicates the intricate interior of a honeycomb, where the golden honey resides. Printed bees adorn the packaging, serving a dual purpose as both a decorative element and a crucial security feature. The design seamlessly merges digital finishing and printing technology with sophisticated security measures, all while consciously conserving resources. The design underscores sustainability, using minimal materials and ensuring that each package is unique.
KURZ's digital finishing capabilities play a significant role in the packaging's visual and tactile appeal. The packaging features both smooth and rough paper surfaces, enhanced with fine details such as the pollen on the bees' legs, which stand out haptically. Various tactile effects, including fine dots, delicate lines, and grids, are incorporated throughout the packaging. The label on the packaging was finished using the DM-JETLINER 2D, enabling the creation of flat, overprintable metallization with exceptional brilliance. For the packaging itself, the DM-MAXLINER 3D was utilized, allowing for a broad range of haptic effects. These machines ensure that the packaging not only looks stunning but also feels unique to the touch.
Real-World Impact
The rising problem of counterfeit honey underscores the increasing importance of innovative solutions such as those offered by SCRIBOS and its partners. The ground-breaking honey packaging created by SCRIBOS, KURZ and HP not only sets a new standard in the fight against counterfeit products but also promotes sustainability and enhances consumer trust.
This award-winning packaging, recognized with the German Packaging Award, exemplifies a holistic approach that combines cutting-edge technology, thoughtful design and eco-friendly practices to create safe and sustainable products, setting a precedent for future initiatives.
For more information, please contact:
Contact SCRIBOS:
Dr. Steffen Scheibenstock
Steffen.Scheibenstock@scribos.com
Contact KURZ:
sales@kurz.de
www.kurz-world.com