CrownConnect launches unique scannable 2d codes for enhanced consumer interaction

25 Jun 2018 --- Crown Bevcan Europe & Middle East – a business unit of Crown Holdings – is set to launch an “industry-first” Almond Blockchain scanning technology in combination with FACT Water. Crown will be supplying the packaging for FACT’s new all-natural sparkling drink, with each can coming marked with a 2D unique scannable code, making FACT beverage cans the first ever to be produced with a unique digital identity. The technology is designed to facilitate greater brand transparency and consumer interaction.

Crown partnered with tech-savvy entrepreneur Olly Bolton to develop and launch Almond, a blockchain platform that allows consumers to scan a unique hidden product code and rewards them by unlocking tokens that are redeemable for cash. The platform, which will be launched this month, will also unlock details of FACT Water’s story, giving unprecedented access to supply chain information and building deeper, trusting relationships with consumers that aims to foster brand loyalty.

“The Internet of Things, and specifically blockchain technologies, will continue to drive the way brands interact with consumers and Almond is a very exciting step into this area for the beverage industry,” says Matt Twiss, Marketing and Business Development Director at Crown.

“From a brand’s perspective, the value lies in the ability to capture valuable data about when and where customers consume their products. CrownConnect technology has been designed specifically to facilitate this level of interaction between brand and consumer and we are proud to be working with innovators such as Olly Bolton and EVRYTHNG to make beverage packaging more interactive and value-added than ever,” he adds.

Olly Bolton, Founder of Almond comments: “The Almond app will allow users to interact with brands in a new completely way, directly reaping the rewards of their use of the app and pledging their allegiance to brands based on the way they approach transparency and their supply chain. Almond establishes a new type of relationship between brands and consumers: one that is symbiotic and mutually beneficial, giving consumers control and autonomy over the type of brands they buy, while also rewarding their loyalty.”

Crown’s involvement in the project is very much as an enabler of the technology. As well as producing the physical beverage can for FACT Water, on which Almond will be launched, its CrownConnect technology provides the 2D codes beneath the tab of the beverage can that facilitate the engagement between consumer (via a scanning application) and brand.

The platform, developed in partnership with IoT company EVRYTHNG then comes into effect, intuitively generating rewards and offers based on previous purchases and offering discounts and rewards to users based on their habits and the products they buy.

Almond-enabled cans of FACT Water will be available to buy in the U.K. and selected European countries from the end of June.

PackagingInsights has contacted Crown for more information on this innovative technology.

Edited by Joshua Poole