A new data matrix on every large steel drum is giving European customers traceability, efficiency, and compliance support that their operations demand.
Supply chain traceability has moved from a nice-to-have to a hard requirement across Europe, driven by rising regulatory pressure, faster recall expectations, and customers who need airtight documentation for food-grade and sensitive materials. Greif’s answer is Track & Trace: a data matrix code on every large steel drum that gives it a unique, scannable identity from the moment it leaves the manufacturing facility.
The technology is already live at Greif’s FSSC 22000-certified Europoort facility in the Netherlands, where customer demand for exactly this capability has been growing, and the team there has a lot to say about why it matters.
One Code. A Lot of Capability.
Each drum receives a data matrix code at the point of manufacture. That code carries a unique sequence number and can be loaded with customizable fields: production line and location, drum item codes, sales order information, supplier ID, and more. Customers scan the code at filling, using nothing more than a smartphone or standard industrial reader, enabling quick access to drum-specific information and supporting integration into their own processes.
The result is a leaner filling operation, a cleaner audit trail, and a faster path to batch control and recall response. For customers in food, chemical, and pharmaceutical markets where safety, accuracy and documentation are critical, that matters a great deal.
“Traceability is a top priority for many of our customers, and we are excited to support them in this process. With a unique data matrix on each drum, customers can track every unit and add their own data along the way, improving efficiency and strengthening security across the product lifecycle.”
Jacob Demén, Sales Director, Greif Netherlands and Scandinavia
Designed to Fit the Way You Already Work
One of the deliberate design choices behind Track & Trace is simplicity. There’s no proprietary hardware to install, no complex onboarding, and no disruption to existing production lines. The data matrix sits on top of the drum where it’s easy to reach, and the scan works with tools customers already have on the floor.
Customers can use the scanned data to support their existing processes – from faster manual recording to integration with their own ERP systems, when applicable. This allows business at different stages of digitization to benefit immediately with reduced data entry and saved time, while enabling process integration in the long term.
Meeting and Exceeding What the Market Expects
Traceability requirements in Europe are only growing, driven by evolving food safety standards, chemical regulations, and customer sustainability commitments that increasingly demand supply chain transparency. Greif’s Track & Trace solution gives customers a practical, scalable way to support these needs by enabling drum-level identification, access to key production data and more.
The technology is currently available on large steel drums in EMEA. Customers interested in adding Track & Trace to their drum program should contact their local Greif sales representative to discuss specifications and implementation.
