The agreement will enable Domino to supply Datalase alongside other coding and printing technologies to a number of sectors worldwide, including the pharmaceutical industry.

Datalase is a colour change process for the high speed printing of images using low power laser light that can be used for applications such as coding and dating of products, printing graphics, and security marking.

Sherwood recently introduced a new product - DataLase Clear - which enables images to be transferred into transparent media via a laser without interfering with the translucency of the substrate. It uses a combination of chemistry, substrate conversion and lasers to allow text and images to be marked directly onto transparent materials.

Under the terms of the agreement, Domino will sell its lasers alongside DataLase consumables.

Colin Mills, marketing director at Domino, said that when combined DataLase, the company's lasers can produce an indelible, permanent mark that does not smear, peel or fade away.

Research is also underway into making the technique available for an infinite number of applications including the direct marking of glass and confectionery or pharmaceutical tablets.