Inkjet Bag Printing to improve batching and fabrication floor yield through improved data

This project aims to address critical challenges in the boning room of meat processing facilities, focusing on improving batch (product grouping) tracking and maximising revenue through accurate product grouping. Over the past 18 months, with practice changes, batching accuracy has been reduced from over 100% to an average of under 10%. However, it is not stable enough as we have days where batch accuracy is around 50% or more. Currently, the batching process is done manually with coordination from room supervisors and no visual indication of the batch number. This is why batching errors can occur, affecting the revenue return for the cartons. For example, if a carton of striploin from batch A1, valued at $25/kg, is mistakenly labelled as batch A2, valued at $20/kg, this results in a loss of $5/kg for the business. This project will develop and demonstrate an inkjet technology for cryovac bags that remains readable post-processing and will trial a real-time feedback system for supervisors to monitor batch accuracy. The inkjet printer will apply food-grade ink to mark primal cuts in their bag with a unique batch code. This system will improve product tracking, assist in quality control, increase operational efficiency and support regulatory compliance. The primary intent is to implement a robust system that ensures all primal cuts from the same batch are correctly identified, tracked and packed together throughout the boning room process. Benefits include better traceability throughout the supply chain and easier batch identification. Considerations include selecting appropriate food-safe inks, ensuring print quality on various surfaces and accounting for the high heat and shrink within the cryovac process.