Twinings Introduces QR Code Packaging to Improve Consumer Accessibility

Twinings has introduced QR code-enabled tea packaging to make product information more accessible for blind and partially sighted consumers. The initiative also highlights the growing role of connected and interactive packaging in improving customer engagement and sustainability.

Published Date: 29 June 2026
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In June 2026, Twinings partnered with the Royal National Institute of Blind People to launch QR codes in its tea packaging. The io.tt and Zapper also supported the development of QR codes. The company launched GS1 Digital Link QR codes and accessible QR codes. These codes provide access to information like brewing instructions, ingredients, and product details. The scanning of QR codes offers information in enhanced text format and audio playback format.

Introduction of Newly Launched QR Code Packaging

The new QR-enabled packaging is designed for partially sighted and blind consumers. The QR codes are accessible on apps present on smartphones. This technology offers an independent shopping experience and removes everyday shopping barriers. The new packaging is available across the Twinings Blak Tea range.

This packaging technology helps to strengthen brand trust and enhance user experience. The technology helps in solving real-world consumer issues. On the tea bag formats like 300, 80, and 120, technology is present on the front side. The technology is available on the side panel on the smaller tea bag packs, which include 40 and 20.  The QR codes are accessible on apps like Seeing AI and Be My Eyes.

Features of Newly Launched QR Codes

  • The QR codes offer long-distance scannability.
  • The QR codes offer visual and audio accessibility.
  • It provides vital product information.
  • It supports third-party app integration.
  • The codes are compatible with camera apps and smartphones.

Impact on the Packaging Industry

The QR code integration is expected to positively impact the packaging industry by offering dynamic digital touchpoints. The packaging challenges, like costly packaging reprints, consumer compliance, first-party data collection, limited physical space, supply chain traceability, excess paper waste, and retailer compliance, are easily solved using the integration of QR codes in packaging.

Benefits of QR Codes in the Packaging Industry

  • Enhanced Consumer Engagement: QR codes offer unlimited information about the product to the customers. Details like nutritional facts, ingredients used, expiry dates, and others are available on QR codes in detail. It also offers recipes and exclusive content. It also helps in taking interactive feedback about the product.
  • Sustainability: The integration of QR codes is a great replacement for printed user manuals. It reduces the use of paper and also helps in saving ink. It minimizes the printing cost and helps in replacing warranty cards.
  • Improved Supply Chain: The QR code provides end-to-end traceability of the product. QR codes support automated logistics and prevents anti-counterfeiting occurs in logistics. It helps in protecting brand reputation and speeds up inventory tracking.
  • QR codes are widely used in scanning analytics, providing recycling guidance, usage tutorials, giving real-time updates, enhancing marketing, collecting feedback, and many other applications.

Impact on the Connected Packaging Industry

The connected packaging market is forecasted to expand from USD 53.28 billion in 2026 to USD 87.75 billion by 2035, growing at a CAGR of 5.7% from 2026 to 2035.

QR code is a great integration in the connected packaging industry. It helps in overcoming challenges like costly information updates, counterfeiting, limited physical label space, supply chain traceability, and loss of third-party data. It brings positivity to the industry by offering updatable content, convenience, elevating consumer engagement, providing actionable data analytics, sustainability, reordering, and traceability.

QR codes offer benefits like real-time flexibility, measurable analytics, direct consumer engagement, and authenticity to the connected packaging industry. It is widely used in applications like dynamic content updates, brand storytelling, and customer engagement. It helps in tracking the packaging lifecycle and providing deeper loyalty.

Impact on the Interactive Packaging Industry

The interactive packaging market is forecasted to expand from USD 33.80 billion in 2026 to USD 57.84 billion by 2035, growing at a CAGR of 6.15% from 2026 to 2035.

The ongoing challenges, like space limitation, counterfeiting, small-font accessibility, static content, and minimal consumer engagement, are solved using OR code integration. The adoption of QR codes is positively impacting the interactive packaging industry by offering several benefits like clutter reduction, valuable marketing analytics, elevated consumer engagement, adaptable digital content, and supply chain transparency.

QR codes offer deepened consumer engagement and real-time analytics. It provides dynamic flexibility and digitizes the user manual. It is widely used for interactive packaging applications like product authentication, detailed tutorials, personalized content, seamless feedback, and gamification. It transforms the interactive packaging industry by solving label constraints, providing agile marketing, and guaranteeing authenticity.

About Twinings

The British company specializes in coffee, malt drinks, premium tea, and hot chocolate. The company headquarters is located in Andover, Hampshire, and the founder of the company is Thomas Twining. The company offers over 500 diverse varieties of tea. The company offers green teas, wellbeing teas, black teas, and herbal infusions. The product portfolio includes Superbelnds, Sparkling Tea, Black Tea, Fruit & Herbal, Green Tea, and Loose Leaf Tea. The bestsellers are Earl Grey 80 Tea Bags, Twinings Sparkling Tea Revive 12 Pack, Feel Good Collection 20 Envelopes, and Twinings Pocket Tins. The company focuses on digital transformation, wellness innovation, and sustainable operations. They develop home compostable and industrial compostable tea bags. They focus on using eco-friendly materials in their packaging.

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