And now – the Internet of Beauty!

Albéa, on of the world's top cosmetic packaging wholesalers and manufacturers of packaging and beauty solutions has launched the Internet of Beauty (IoB), an innovative connected packaging project developed by a cross-functional team of marketing, design, IT and packaging engineering experts. In addition, The Internet of Beauty was built in partnership with key players from the beauty industry as it opens news opportunities for brands to interact with consumers, says the company.

Get ready for the INVISIBLE RFID tag!

AsahiKasei will make their second appearance at the AIPIA Congress this year having created quite a stir with their ground breaking printing technology ideas for printed electronics last time. This year promises to be just as exciting with the introduction of a sub-micron rol lto roll (R2R) technique to acheive an ‘ínvisible’ RFID tag.

Cool and hot inks reduce product tampering and counterfeiting

The BlindSpotz™ technology of Chromatic Technologies Inc (CTI) is helping stop product tampering by inventing the first dual-indicator to detect product tampering from heat and freezing, according to the company. The use of extreme temperatures (especially sub-zero temperatures) to circumvent traditional security measures on packaging has increased substantially among criminals in recent years, with no effective deterrent until now, it claims.

New sustainable RFID tag technology

Continuing the environmental theme, ECO™ by Stora Enso is designed for intelligent packaging functionalities in supply chain, retail and e-commerce applications. The technology enables paper-based RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) technology tags, providing a plastic-free and recyclable solution for packaging authentication. The company will present during the AIPIA Congress on it range of paper-based smart technologies.

Taking recycling and waste seriously: A&IP a ‘positive development’

In some quarters Active & Intelligent Packaging (A&IP) is seen as an additional challenge when looking at packaging recyclability. While the current focus is very much on Single Use Plastics, there are some who believe adding an additional component, such as an RFID/NFC tag, to any pack can create recycling difficulties.

E paper and UHF inlay combine for battery-less tag in Japanese stores

AIPIA member E Ink Holdings, a leading innovator of electronic ink technology, has worked with Fujitsu Semiconductor to jointly develop a reference design board for battery-less ePaper tags. The solution adopts E Ink's low voltage ePaper module and Fujitsu’s UHF FRAM RFID LSI.

Blockchain for pharmaceutical contract packing projects

Global contract packaging organisation, Tjoapack, has partnered with UK-based technology company, Veratrak, to establish the use of blockchain across the pharmaceutical industry.

Next step in Intelligent Payment & Packaging: Scan, Engage and Pay

Steve Howells, senior director – product marketing at Smartrac will explain how intelligent packaging can now be used to enable NFC based devices to become a means of payment

How-to integrate packaging innovation into a company - Staying ‘Ahead of the Curve’

This discussion at the upcoming Congress is based on years of experience and learnings involved with integrating new packaging innovation and technology into fast moving consumer products for a major multinational Brand Owner.

New fridge container tag signals freshness

A Chicago based tech startup, Ovie, is launching a series of products on Kickstarter to help people stop wasting food and money by keeping track of their food at home before it spoils. The Ovie Smarterware system turns an ordinary fridge into a smart fridge, but without the smart fridge price tag, says the company

From Pets to Packaging?

GTX Corp an Internet of Things (IoT) solutions provider in the GPS wearable location and wandering assistive technology business, recently announced the launch of a new GPS tracker and Near Field Communication (NFC) digital ID system called Rover Tracker. Its for Pets, not PET bottles, but the furry kind. But hey, its a small step from Man’s Best Friend to Packaging

Secure supply chains, blockchain and brand protection

Systech CEO Ara Ohanian will enlighten delegates on Using software to secure a supply chain from the manufacturing floor to the consumer’s hands. He contends this marks a shift in packaging industry. It is almost certain the term Blockchain will be mentioned. And in a timely reminder of the growing importance of this, Systech has recently partnered with Pharma Logistics IQ to produce a report entitled: Blockchain: Can Cryptocurrency Revolutionize Brand Protection?

New NFC Forum White Paper: Bridging Digital and Physical Retail with NFC

Connected Consumers Are Here! So says a new White Paper introduced by the NFC Forum, entitled: Bridging Digital and Physical Retail with NFC. The Forum’s executive director Paula Hunter commented: The era of the ‘connected consumer’ is here – and it’s not just millennials. People of all ages and backgrounds are turning to the Internet to interact with digital content, services, experiences and brands. They’re going online for entertainment, education, knowledge, social sharing and commerce.

Time to go bananas over food waste!

Not every ‘smart’ pack has to feature a gizmo or an interactive device to make it clever. One Korean supermarket has launched a new form of banana packaging, which is being hailed as “genius” on social media. Not only does it, in some respects, extend shelf life, but at the same time promotes healthy eating!

Augmented Reality goes live: from niche to the mainstream

Constantia Flexibles, which will be presenting and exhibiting for the first time at the AIPIA Congress, has developed an innovative platform ‘Constantia Interactive’ in conjunction with its strategic technology partner Wikitude, an independent AR technology provider. The companies showcased ‘Interactive Packaging' at this year's Pack Expo, Chicago, recently

Time for Brands to Take a Reality Check!

There are still many Brands out there, both big and small, who have yet to switch on to the potential of Active & Intelligent Packaging to help them Differentate and Boost their Products. If you are one of those, why not jump in at the Deep End and spend two full days submerged in the world of Active & Intelligent Packaging by attending the AIPIA Congress in Amsterdam? You can find out about ALL that Active & Intelligent Packaging has to offer and how it can connect and Add Value to YOUR Brand...

Plastics recycling made simpler by watermarking

One of the major issues facing the packaging sector at present is the huge negative reaction to plastics waste, particularly in the oceans, but also because the world is coming to dread the term ‘single use’ – even if in reality flexible packaging is a very resource efficient material.

Promoting medication adherence with intelligent packaging

There are few companies who know more about the journey towards revolutionizing their packaging than Jones who, in 2013, embarked on a six year journey to create a ‘next generation’ of pharmaceutical packaging. They share some of their experiences and pit stops along that road at the AIPIA Congress.

Crown closure uses AR to give better consumer experience

One of the latest technologies making its debut at the Congress is DAPP, a digital application which is sponsored by Pelliconi , a premier closures design and manufacturing company based in Bologna Italy. The company has particular expertise in the crown cork closure area and is adding a new dimension to this, most traditional, form of closure.

Seeing IS Believing!

With over 30 confirmed booths in our renowned Seeing is Believing demonstration areas the AIPIA Congress will offer delegates the most comprehensive ‘window’ on the world of Active & Intelligent Packaging developments ever!

Don’t water the flowers!

Waterless Internet Flower Packaging, developed by Indian flexible packaging giant Uflex, has been becoming increasingly popular among global flower companies. It works on the principle of Active Modified Atmospheric Packaging (AMAP) through Flexfresh™, a special patented polymeric film, offering shelf-life extension solution for fresh fruits, vegetables as well as flowers.

UHF RFID tag system plots expiry and inventory of speciality drugs

A US based health-care service Asembia, is managing the inventory dating and expiration of its high-value medications using an UHF RFID system from Truecount Corp, according to an article in RFID Journal. Tag provider Charming Trim & Packaging provided the UHF inlay labels that are attached to the pharmaceutical packaging. The system employs Truecount's Simple RFID software solution.

Just tap the Talkin’ Cap

Talkin’ Things®, a top innovator in product communication platforms, together with Closure Systems International (CSI), have collaborated to integrate smart packaging technology into CSI’s global platform of closures. Come hear about this and other T’T developments at the AIPIA Congress.

Interactive folding boxes can be used with smartphones.

Siegwerk, a longstanding AIPIA member and leading supplier of printing inks for packaging applications and labels, is working on innovative folding box applications for interactive communication between the product and the consumer.

Cannabis tagging expanded following successful roll out

AIPIA member Applied DNA Sciences has recently announced that it is launching an additional system to tag the industry’s larger volume cannabis or hemp grows as part of TheraCann International’s ETCH Biotrace™ solution.

Traceability and One-on-One customer engagement

As we keep reminding people, one of the most important reasons for the growing success of Active & Intelligent Packaging is its ability to engage directly with the consumer in a totally different way than ever before. So it is not surprising that several speakers at the Congress will be sharing their knowledge about the Latest A&IP developments in this area.

New NFC wrap around tamper evidence label for medical devices

Schreiner MediPharm has introduced a novel Autoinjector-Label which wraps around the autoinjector, including the cap, and has an integrated NFC chip that can be read via a smartphone app.The EU Falsified Medicines Directive (FMD) requires pharmaceutical manufacturers to serialize their products and to provide secondary product packaging with an anti-tampering device. Primary containers or devices such as pens and autoinjectors for self-medication, however, are not included in these requirements yet.

Orange juice gets Blockchain treatment at Albert Heijn

Consumers buying orange juice at Dutch retailer Albert Heijn can follow the route of their product through blockchain thanks to a partnership between AH and Refresco. The partners have clarified

Visual Oxygen indicator for food packaging

The main cause of most food spoilage is oxygen where aerobic food-spoiling micro-organisms grow and thrive. Using modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) it is possible to reduce the concentration of oxygen to very low levels which means an increase of shelf-life of the product.

TWE Rolls out AR experience on its major Brand wines.

We are always very excited by Augmented Reality (AR) applications so it is pleasing to find a report in Australias leading packaging publiucation PKN that, following its successful foray into augmented reality on its 19 Crimes wine labels last year, (see AIPIA newsletter 03/01/18) Treasury Wine Estates (TWE) has invested in the technology at scale, launching it on two more of its leading brands.

Look, no App! Latest iPhones have backround tag reading function

According to Thinfilm CEO Davor Sutija last week was an important milestone in the evolution of NFC technology. Apple’s launch of the iPhone XS, XS Max, and XR models was accompanied by news that these devices will feature an important enhancement to the iPhone NFC experience: a background tag-read capability that allows users to launch NFC-based mobile experiences without requiring a mobile app.

Bluetooth electronic data logger for Cold Chain System

Tracking temperatures of sensitive products enroute to its destination is now more accurate, easy and reliable with the introduction of LOG-IC® 360 Bluetooth Data Logger, says American Thermal Instruments, who developed the device. The addition of Bluetooth technology provides multiple advantages for the cold chain system worldwide, it claims.

Charge the phone and heat the coffee!

Inductive Intelligence system, a patent-pending technology, turns paper, plastic, glass, foil pouch and metal packaging into heatable IoT devices. The system transfers a matrix of data from the package to the base unit. This unit then authenticates the device or package and responds by wirelessly sending the appropriate amount of energy, tuned to the right frequency, to a metal receptor in the package to create the right heating experience for the package and its contents.

DHL secures temperature sensitive shipments

One of the leading global brand in the logistics industry, DHL, assures that temperature-sensitive international shipments are transported within authorised conditions. With services that are crucial for companies from different sectors, the company is now partnering with AIPIA member Blulog to optimize supply chain processes.

Better Recycling with A&IP

To demonstrate just how environmentally responsible Active & Intelligent Packaging can be, one of the Congress presentations this year features Recycl3R, which uses the Internet of Things (IoT) to provide value to something that is not valuable for the brands: their packaging waste.

Nano molecules ‘light up’ on packaging when bacteria present.

Contaminated produce continues to cause illness and even death in many parts of the world. Now a new type of smart food packaging may help to prevent food-borne illnesses from E.coli and other pathogens . Scientists at McMaster University in Canada have developed packaging that monitors for bacteria in food and emits a fluorescent signal if they are detected. Findings were recently published in ACS Nano.

Wear the Shirt! Visit the Lab wot dun it!!

Avery Dennison was recently named the global licensee of F.C. Barcelona's name and numbers shirt customization according to an article in Printed Electronics Now. Avery Dennison products include names, numbers, crests, woven labels and specialty trims. The company is already a provider for a number of the top clubs in La Liga and 90% of clubs in the English Premier League.

Self-heating can for beverages and soups heading for retail shelves

The 42 Degrees Company, which acquired the patent for self-heating coffee cans last year, has redeveloped the ingredients and packaging of the product and will be launching it to suppliers and convenience stores soon.

‘Final approval’ for antioxidant ‘blockbuster additive’ for plastics

Addivant has received final approval for its ‘blockbuster additive’ WESTON 705, the first antioxidant since the 1970s that has achieved global food-contact approvals. The next generation nonylphenol-free liquid phosphite antioxidant for plastics and elastomers can be used in water bottles, dairy milk bottles and packaging for snacks, as well as several other formats.

Cutting Food Waste with Inexpensive ‘Slippery’ Packs

New research from Virginia Tech aims to cut down on the food waste left in sachets and convenience packages at food service outlets, as well as the consumer frustration it generates. The University has created a novel approach to creating super slippery industrial packaging. The study establishes a method for wicking chemically compatible vegetable oils into the surfaces of common extruded plastics. It was published in Scientific Reports and has a provisional patent.

Of course you can attend 10 conferences in packaging a year

Of course you can attend 10 conferences in packaging a year... but you can also attend 1

Next Step in Scalable Connectivity: Eco-friendly Technology

Each week from now until the AIPIA Congress (19-20th November) we will be featuring at least one of the exciting presentations already lined up for this year’s event. To kick off we are pleased to welcome back to our speakers’ list leading innovators in smart packaging for paper products, Stora Enso.

Look! No Hands: JD.com’s First Unmanned Store Outside China

Mega Chinese e-commerce retailer JD.com has expanded its unmanned store concept to Indonesia, marking the first time it has unveiled the technology platform outside China. The new JD.ID X-Mart employs various technologies, including Artificial Intelligence (AI), Radio Frequency Identification(RFID) and facial recognition, to enable customers to pick up items and walk out with them, without stopping to pay. So someone can try on a garment and walk right out of the store wearing it.

Distributors now Share Security and Traceability Platform

Tangle Teezer® a leading supplier of LifeStyle hairbrushes, designed and made in the UK, has been using the CODIKETT® product security solution since 2015. More than 250 product variants are being sold in over 70 countries. So physical and digital product security, global grey market control, GEO tracking and direct customer communication were major challenges.

Amazon Delivers Clothes and Adventures.

US clothing rental company Gwynnie Bee has teamed up with Amazon's Alexa to offer members an interactive unboxing experience that will let members interact with and learn about Gwynnie Bee's size-inclusive subscription service.

Tamper Proof RFID Label Offers More Secure Solutions

AIPIA member Identiv has launched the latest addition to its radio-frequency identification (RFID), near-field communication (NFC), and inlay portfolio. The next-generation Tamper-Proof RFID Label is compatible with any NFC inlay, according to the company.

RFID Round-up: Food Service Savings, Long Range Tamper Evidence and Sewn in Apparel Tracking

Several stories featured in RFID Journal and elsewhere demonstrate the multiple talents of tag technology which is clearly ensuring the markets for them are expanding at the same, or even at a greater rate, than their functionality!

New Holographic Seal Complies with FMD

As the Europe-wide Falsified Medicines Directive (FMD) comes into force in February 2019 it requires all pharmaceutical manufacturers to mark their prescription medicine packaging with a serial number and an additional tamper protection device.

New Temperature Monitor Ensures Perferct Produce Cooling

Longstanding AIPIA member DeltaTrak® introduced its new FlashTrak PreCool Prime at the PMA Foodservice Conference in Monterey, California recently. The device is an automated wireless solution that monitors and records temperature during pre-cooling and alerts when correct internal produce temperature is reached.

Printed Susceptors Lead to Sustainable Microwave Packaging

One of the highlights of the recent China Summit was a presentation by FPInnovations in Canada which has developed a printing approach to produce safe microwave susceptor packaging. By utilizing a unique patterning approach to prevent overheating, the risk of scorching or ignition of the package is reduced, while increasing the heat uniformity of the food being microwaved.

Aussies can Serenade and Slurp at the Same Time!

Whoever coined the phrase ‘Wine, Women and Song’ did not probably have a musically enabled wine bottle in mind. But our friends at PKN in Australia have discovered that an alcohol delivery company has partnered with Spotify to release a special-edition range of wines which can be paired with music.

A Sustainable Powered Up Pack Using Paper Batteries

BillerudKorsnäs and researchers at Uppsala University in Sweden have taken an important step towards the development of paper batteries. Together they have taken basic research based on pure cellulose from algae and developed it to work with the same type of fibre that BillerudKorsnäs usually uses to manufacture packaging material.

Malibu Deploys 300,000 Connected Bottles for Summer Campaign

As part of its 2018 ‘Because Summer’ campaign, the leading rum brand Malibu is continuing its connected bottles journey to support the Malibu Games. The project, which marks another collaboration between Malibu and Internet of Things (IoT) agency, SharpEnd, represents a huge scale-up operation as part of the brand’s connected bottle journey, they say.

On-Demand RFID Printing Simplifies Logistics Tracking

Pinnpoint, a supplier of self adhesive labels has partnered with RFID inlay solutions provider Smartrac and laser printer manufacturer Lexmark to create ‘on-demand ‘ RFID printing. These solutions allow shippers to automatically view the status of returned goods via RFID tag reads, facilitating the growing reverse logistics model for online shopping, they claim.

AIPIA’s Hat-trick of Successes

We know the World Cup is over, but we couldn’t resist a last mention – to blow our own trumpet! During the tournament AIPIA hosted three major Active & Intelligent Packaging events, one in the USA and two in Asia.

Batteryless RFID Label Can Change Price Data

Powercast is launching a revolutionary new power-harvesting RFID label, known as the Batteryless Electronic UHF Retail Price Tag, according to an article in RFID Journal. It enables RFID-based updating of electronic paper (e-paper) information, such as prices for retail shelves. The company is partnering with systems integrators that could develop their own solution for stores.

Crown Takes Blockchain and Thermochromics to the Next Level

In a first for the beverage industry, Crown Bevcan Europe & Middle East, a business unit of Crown Holdings is launching its CrownConnect™ technology in conjunction with FACT - an all-natural sparkling drink. Each can will be marked with a 2D unique scannable code, making FACT beverage cans the first ever to be produced with a unique digital identity.

Two Smart Packs from Schreiner Created using Printed Electronics

The ((rfid))-Digital Void Label from Schreiner Group provides electronic tamper evidence and can be read using smartphones. It makes label tampering visible, indicating a potential risk to consumers. Manufacturers benefit as well, because integrated geotracking as a monitoring function allows them to see where their products are used, says the company.

Connected Bottles for a Soccer Crazy World

Thin Film Electronics a leader in NFC mobile marketing solutions, has announced el Jimador tequila as a new customer - a leading brand of Brown-Forman, one of the largest American-owned companies in the wine and spirits industry. It will use Thinfilm’s complete NFC mobile marketing solution to enhance marketing efforts for its summer soccer campaign. El Jimador sponsored the Mexican National Soccer team’s 2018 US tour prior to arriving at the FIFA World Cup.

Scaleable Production Process for Nano Food Barrier Film

At Purdue University researchers have developed a large-scale manufacturing process that may change the way some grocery store foods are packaged. The Purdue team, led by Jeffrey Youngblood, a professor in it’s School of Materials Engineering, created a new manufacturing process using cellulose nano-crystals (CNCs) as advanced barrier coatings for food packaging.

Recycling Just Got Smarter

UPM Raflatac has combined digitalization with the circular economy. By adding the RafMore smart label solution to its RafCycle® recycling process, the company is able to optimize the waste collection process from its customers, it says. The smart labels added to the recycling containers and scanned by a mobile app tell when the customers' waste is ready to be collected.

New Humidity Indicator Maintains Integrity of Dry Packs

Clariant has introduced the Humitector type 2 non-reversible humidity indicator cards for SMD dry packing. The new humidity indicator cards have been developed to maintain the integrity of dry packing, which protects moisture-sensitive devices during shipment or storage.The cards contain low-halogen and free from cobalt dichloride, a substance of concern to the European Chemical Bureau

Glowing Goose Makes this Vodka Stand Out

Grey Goose is one of the most famous brands of vodka. Now its logo is standing out even more thanks to a limited edition bottle which features a new electroluminescent label. The label’s components are integrated inside and there is no wiring. Also it is waterproof, which is a key advantage.

New IML Label Offers Greater Shelf Life for Soups

Ready-to-eat, single-serving soups now benefit from greatly extended shelf life thanks to ITC and Verstraete’s innovative Naturcrem IML packaging, using an in mould label (IML) with oxygen barrier. Traditionally these products can start to go bad once the soup comes into contact with oxygen. The new packaging radically reduces that risk, says the company.

Blockchain Initiatives Enable Local sourcing an Halal Verification

To separate developments show how quickly Blockchain technology can be used to enable two very differnent aspects of modern food supply chains.

AIPIA goes East After Being West

Following on from its first USA summit, AIPIA is running two important one day events for the Asian markets in Bangkok (June 14th) and Shanghai (July 12th) alongside the Propak Asia and ProPak China exhibitions.

‘Molecular’ Tag Adds New Level of Tracking and Authentication

Applied DNA Sciences, a US based provider of molecular-based security and authentication solutions, has introduced its latest security print platform solution, SigNature®, featuring the Videojet 1860M continuous inkjet (CIJ) printer . Find out all about this exciting new product at the AIPIA Summit of the Americas in New Jersey (4/5 June). The product was first shown at Interphex USA in New York this April.

No Absorber Pads Required in New Meat & Produce Pack

Good design can often lead to ‘smarter’ packages. Fresh meats, fish, fruits and vegetables which release liquids that need to be captured and separated from the product to extend shelf life, as well as presenting a more appealing product to consumers can now be acheived without the need of absorber pads, it is claimed. The new GravityTray offers another solution.

“Best Before’ Labels Going at Tesco…What’s Next?

Tesco has announced plans to remove ‘Best Before’ dates from almost 70 fruit and vegetable products in an effort to reduce the amount of usable food being thrown away, according to a report in the Independent newspaper in UK. The labels will be removed from popular lines such as apples, potatoes, tomatoes, lemons and other citrus fruit and onions, among others, the report says.

SmartLabel Program Gets Boost from Digimarc

Digimarc Corporation has announced its support of SmartLabel® and the availability of Digimarc Barcode scanning capabilities within the SmartLabel app during TransparencyIQ in Chicago, which brings together leaders driving product transparency. Digimarc is offering brands and retailers a more reliable, efficient and flexible method for delivering SmartLabel to consumers, it claims. The company will be paricipating at the AIPIA Summit of the Americas (4/5 June) in Jersey City.

Tin Tunes Up for the Royal Wedding!

Electronic packaging specialists, Electropac, has joined forces with confectionery firm, Churchill’s, to produce a patriotic souvenir in advance of the Royal Wedding - a musical version of their Around London tinned giftware, filled with 150grams of assorted biscuits.

Combining AR and NFC for a Moody Smart Label

Multi-Color Corporation and Talkin’ Things are the first Internet of Things (IoT) packaging platform providers to combine Augmented Reality (AR) and NFC technology to create a unique customer experience in connected product that will help boost its sales, they say.

New Patents Raise the Game in Condition Monitoring

Infratab, the USA based provider of radio frequency sensor solutions for perishables, has added US and European wireless Internet of Things (IoT) sensor patents to its worldwide intellectual property portfolio of radio frequency sensors, software, analytics, and cloud solutions. The company is a long time member of AIPIA.

Self-Chill Can for New 7-Eleven Sparkling Coffee Drink

7-Eleven, the major convenience store chain, is rolling two ground-breaking launches into one with the introduction of its proprietary Fizzics Sparkling Cold Brew Coffee in the first self-chilling cans available to the public in the USA. During the test launch, the coffee drinks are being tested at 15 Los Angeles-area 7-Eleven® stores. The innovative Chill-Can® technology has been created by The Joseph Company International.

New generation of smart labelling technology

Each week until the USA Summit of the Americas (Jersey City 4/5 June) we are featuring one or more of the presentations which demonstrate advances in Active & Intelligent Packaging technology. This week we showcase Insignia Technologies’ innovative labels, which have proven to extend shelf-life, reduce food waste and encourage food consumption at optimal quality.

Printed ‘On Pack’ Freeze Warning Technology for Pennies

Chromatic Technologies Inc. (CTI) and AIPIA member American Thermal Instruments (ATI) has introduced BlindSpotz™ a new, patent-pending, freeze-warning technology that can be printed directly on a package. If the temperature of the package drops at or below 32° F (0° C) a coloured symbol appears on the exterior of the package to notify the supply chain that product has been damaged.

Microsoft and Digimarc Integrate Scanning Software in Windows® 10

Digimarc Corporation , an AIPIA member participating in the upcoming Summit of the Americas (Jersey City 4/5 June), has announced a new 15 year partnership with Microsoft. The partnership includes the integration of Digimarc scanning software into Windows, as part of the Windows 10 update. The two companies have worked together to improve retailer operational efficiency and increase consumer engagement with products.

New Patch can Replace ‘Best Before’ Label

Mechanical and chemical engineers at McMaster University in Ontario, Canada, working with biochemists from across campus, have collaborated to develop a transparent test patch, printed with harmless molecules, that can signal food contamination as it happens. The patch can be incorporated directly into food packaging, where it can monitor the contents for harmful pathogens such as E. coli and Salmonella.

Heineken enters a ‘new dimension’ with AR label

We have been waiting a while for the next Heineken adventure into the world of A&IP. Now CCL Label has partnered with 9ème Concept, a French collective of artists, to create augmented reality (AR) edition for Heineken Desperados tequila-flavoured beer. The immersive experience is launched when consumers, wearing virtual reality goggles, scan the label

Walmart Ramping Up Blockchain Use

Several recent announcements from Walmart demonstrate its strategic move towards the use of Blockchain technologies in a number of activities. The application to patent its ‘Smart Package’ system was released by the US Patent and Trademark Office in early March.

Scalable A&IP Production on Standard Manufacturing Equipment

One of the questions we often get asked at AIPIA is ‘Can we produce an Active & Intelligent enabled pack on our existing packaging lines and at our normal production speeds?’ Well one company which has successfully integrated Printed Electronics into its folded carton and labelling production – used chiefly for pharmaceutical products – is Jones Packaging.

Packaged Summit for Enhanced Brand Success

Organisers of the Packaged Summit, which takes place in Amsterdam (25 -26 June) will enable delegates to gain access to a community of top packaging professionals who will help to enhance Brand success, ensure sustainable growth and lower costs, claim the organisers Mark Allen Group.

Alibaba Pharma Subsidiary Signs Up to Better Traceability

Brand protection and consumer connection solutions company and AIPIA member YPB Group, headquartered in NSW, Australia, has signed a contract, appointing it as an Independent Software Vendor (ISV) of the AliHealth supply chain traceability platform for the China market, through its China subsidiary. AliHealth is a subsidiary of Alibaba Group. It also intends to appoint YPB as an overseas ISV partner when it launches internationally.

The Smell of Success

We do not often get the chance to feature olfactory packaging, but Tekni-Plex, through its Tri-seal business unit, has been granted a patent for its Sniff Seal® technology which is the first liner to enable scent permeation through an induction seal closure liner without affecting the seal or compromising the contents, it says.

Temperature Monitors Work for Both Food and Pharma

Blulog recently unveiled a range of new, single-use NFC temperature data loggers at Fruit Logistica 2018 in Berlin. These NFC loggers are designed especially for use in the produce industry. The philosophy behind this solution is to provide a very affordable and easy-to-use solution for temperature monitoring of these products, says the company.

Connected Corrugated Packaging for Mass Markets

DS Smith, one of the global suppliers of corrugated packaging, is helping to amplify the benefits of serialization in the pharmaceutical industry with pre-serialized, connected corrugated packaging solutions. Its Packaging Connectivity product can link corrugated packaging to any existing or planned primary packaging serialization or run a separate system. These can either meet or anticipate the FMD requirement or enable track & trace and consumer engagement benefits, says the company.

Mountain Music – Blowing in the Bottle

NourishCo Beverages an Indian mineral water supplier has introduced a limited-edition ‘sound cap’ for bottles of its Himalayan Sparkling brand. These are designed to play various sounds of wind from the Himalayas when you twist open the cap.

Triple Whammy for Brands from Zappar

Zappar and its friends at Shazam often team up to offer some of the most exciting Augmented Reality packaging around. The presentations they make are always wildly popular features of AIPIA events. So we are pleased to confirm they will be part of the line up at the AIPIA Summit of the Americas. Here are just three reasons why big Brands love ‘em!

EAS Tagging goes Mini to Protect Fine Garments

Checkpoint Systems, a leading supplier of Electronic Article Surveillance (EAS), RFID solutions and Alpha High-Theft Solutions for the retail industry, has announced a new solution that protects fine garments without leaving a pin hole, the Needlelok™, earlier this year. Now, as forecast, the companies have introduced the Needlelok Mini.

Counterfeiting In Focus as Fakers Up the Stakes

It is one of the biggest challenges facing Brand Owners, Supply Chain professionals and Consumers as more and more fakes of just about every kind of consumable product flood markets around the world. Two AIPIA members Authentix and Scantrust have recently confronted the issue head on. Both are offering solutions but, in different ways, are trying to raise awareness of both the size of the problem and the potential hazards and consequences of industrial scale counterfeiting.

Partnership Raises the Game for Track & Trace Solutions

VerifyMe, a technology solutions company that provides identifiers and serialization for authenticating, tracking and tracing functions - including for labels and packaging - has announced a reseller agreement with eAgile, a provider of IoT Solutions including RFID labels, tags and intelligent packaging solutions. Under the terms of the agreement, eAgile will be able to offer its clients VerifyMe enabled HP Indigo Security ElectroInk, which is marketed as RainbowSecure.

Wine Fraud ‘Off the Scale’

The scale of France’s Côtes du Rhône wine fraud scandal in 2017 is larger than first thought, with new figures revealing that as many as 66.5 million bottles of wine were counterfeit, reports Securing Industry. Original estimates for the scam that began in 2013 and which was uncovered last year, suggested that the amount of fake wine was around 40 million bottles, it says.

Bubbles OF Water not Bubbles IN Water

An edible alternative to plastic water bottles made from seaweed has won the UK round of an EU competition for new, more sustainable products. The spherical or ‘bubble’ form of packaging, called Ooho is described by its makers as ‘water you can eat’. It is biodegradeable, hygenic and costs 1p per unit to make, says the developer. It is made mostly from calcium chloride and a seaweed derivative called sodium alginate.

Break the Code to Discover the Real Whisky Taste

A new single malt scotch whisky The Glenlivet Code is coming to market with an intriguing AR tasting experience created in conjunction with Shazam. The whisky, inspired by British code breakers, promises a "labyrinth of flavours that will test the senses of even the most discerning whisky drinker". It will be available in 28 markets from March 2018.

Interactive Pallet Makes Debut

The Fraunhofer Institute for Material Flow and Logistics IML and the European Pallet Association (EPAL) are developing the load carriers of the future at the newest Enterprise Lab in Dortmund, Germany. The first application of the interactive pallet was made public by the partners at LogiMAT 2018.

Major Blockchain Use for Logistics Increases Rapidly: Alibaba, DHL, DeFeet

Several announcements on blockchain deployment have been announced, reports Securing Industry, which all reinforce the technology’s compatibility with Active & intelligent Packaging for security and supply chain applications. Examples include: Chinese e-commerce giant Alibaba is bringing its logistics arm Cainiao together with its online marketplace T-Mall to introduce blockchain technology to track goods on the platform.

Ebay Boxing Clever with AR app

Ebay in the USA has introduced a new AR-powered feature that helps sellers decide on the best box to use for shipping their items to buyers. The technology works with a range of products, the company says, including everything from car parts, kitchen wares, glass or electrical items.

Intelligent Biosensors to Track Food Spoilage

Clemson University researchers are working to develop packages that would use communication between cells to detect food that’s beginning to spoil. This ‘intelligent’ packaging would use sensors to detect biological processes – specifically, the signals cells send to each other when they start to break down.

A Lot of (SMART) Bottles!

Market research analysts Technavio forecast the global smart bottle market will grow at a CAGR of close to 15% during the period 2018-2022. This is according to their latest report which segments the global smart bottle market into the following applications (smart water bottle, smart pharmaceutical bottle, smart alcoholic beverage bottle, and smart baby feeding bottle) and key regions (the Americas, APAC, and EMEA).

Two Major New Customers for Thinfilm’s NFC Technology

Thin Film Electronics has announced British American Tobacco Global Travel Retail (BAT GTR) as a new customer. BAT GTR is launching a connected edition of its Dunhill brand products using the company’s NFC (near field communication) SpeedTap™ tags.

Wider Printhead Offers Advanced Product Identification

HP Inc recently announced a 22mm wide-swath printhead for high-speed, high-resolution marking needs. These include 1D and 2D bar codes, enabling brands to benefit from large-size codes and characters for advanced product identification, anti-counterfeiting, and track and trace, it says.

On Pack Display Shows How Much is in the Bottle

August Faller Group has designed the prototype for an innovative medication pack that captures the level in an opaque bottle of liquid medicine at the push of a button and delivers it to the patient via an integrated display.

Graphene Tag can be Etched on Food

Graphene is already well known as a ‘wonder ‘ material because it is extremely thin and strong, a great conductor of heat and electricity, is antibacterial and can even hunt cancer. But now you can have your wonder material and eat it, too! James Tour at Rice University has demonstrated a way to etch a graphene ‘ label’ onto food like bread and potatoes, as well as materials like cardboard and cloth, where it could then act as an RFID tag.

Strategic Partnership to Offer Connected Products

Meanwhile labels solutions provider Multi-Color Corporation has also been busy elsewhere with the announcement of a strategic partnership with Talkin’ Things, the smart packaging system which enables brands to communicate with consumers, protect against counterfeiting, track products throughout the supply chain, and much more!

Chilling Your wine to Perfection

We all know Aussies are partial to a cold beer, but in New Zealand they are going a step further as a notable Sauvignon Blanc producer is now using thermographic label technology to show when a wine is chilled correctly. The producer, Matua, is using Chill Check labels to identify when its Regional Series and First Frost Sauvignon Blanc are crisp and aromatic, according to a recent story in PKN.

Nano-structured Holograms Boost Anti-counterfeit Capabilities

Some eye-catching nano-structured holograms from Schur Flexibles now have built-in anti-counterfeit features. The patented anti-counterfeit film concept allows the building of a unique holographic effect into packaging. There is no use of inks, varnish or solvents involved, says the company.

Anuga Foodtec: First NanoPack Test Results to be Announced

The EU-funded NanoPack project, of which AIPIA is a partner, will reveal the results of new antimicrobial efficacy tests that demonstrate the ability of its innovative film to extend bread shelf life by an extra three weeks, at Anuga FoodTec, March 20-23, 2108 in Cologne.

AIPIA Cambridge: Consumer Interaction with Packaging

AIPIA Insignia: Smart Label Solution Keeps Control of the Food

AIPIA Wiliot: Bringing Battery Free Bluetooth to Packaging

Connected Cup Lights Up SuperBowl

A Melbourne, Australia based company Buzz Connect, was behind one of the most popular marketing features at Super Bowl 2018 - interactive Bud Light beer cups. Almost 80,000 of the beer cups were distributed to fans in the stadium and at select "watch" parties in the USA.

Successful ‘First Steps’ in Internet of Packaging

Early February saw the first ever consignments of goods using Bunzl’s SmartiX shipping label system. Dutch company Verzendverpakkingenshop.nl was the first webshop to implement 'SmartiX', which is based on Near Field Communication (NFC) and offers both B2B and B2C advantages, says the company. With this, Bunzl took it’s first step with 'Internet of Packaging' (IoP), it stated.

Seriously Clever Cereal

Nintendo and Kellogg’s® have teamed up to take fans on a breakfast journey with Super Mario™ cereal, that will continue long after the cereal box is empty. In addition to collectible Super Mario Odyssey™ box art, each box functions as an amiibo™ accessory, to make breakfast a more playful experience, say the companies.

Active Tray Solution Keeps Seafood Fresher, Longer

Maxwell Chase, a CSP Technologies company, that specializes in packaging which extends freshness and enhances food safety, will debut SeaWell™ Trays, a first-of-its-kind active solution that significantly extends the shelf life of seafood, at Seafood Expo North America in Boston, next month.

The Shelves are Alive with the Sound of Labels

Labels That Talk© (LTT), a Seattle based technology startup, is beta-testing a superhigh-density 2D barcode, Soundpaper™, in partnership with chosen companies worldwide. Soundpaper is the first barcode with enough capacity to store audio, HTML, formatted text and much more, in the barcode itself, says the company. So the barcode always works and does not require an internet connection.

If Packaging Could Talk

Interview with Keran Turakhia, Ipackaging Expertise Ltd, at the AIPIA Congress, November 2017

Kentucky FLYed Chicken

Those clever folk at KFC are always coming up with new ways to promote their Finger Lickin’ products. Sadly most of them are restricted to just a short time span and only in a particular region or market. The latest, a drone made partially from the box containing it’s smoky grilled wings, was only available in India for two days in late January. But its so cool we had to feature it!

First Aluminium Smart NFC Closure for Wine

Guala Closures chose its participation at the ‘Unified Wine & Grape Symposium’, in Sacramento USA this January to present what it claims to be the first aluminium smart closure for wine: e-WAK®. It is the first NFC closure dedicated to the wineries, it says, allowing them to start a 1 to 1 relationship with their end consumers.

Tamper Evident NFC Tag is Aimed at High Value Products

Smartrac has released the Circus Tamper Loop tag as part of a series of RFID-based products for authenticating high-value products and goods. It represents the latest in the technology company's Near Field Communication (NFC)-based product line. The tag is being sold in samples to companies such as motor oil, baby food and high-value item brands, as well as pharmaceutical manufacturers. Other potential customers are makers of premium wines and champagnes, it says.

Pressure Mounts to Develop Item Level RFID for Food

A chain restaurant is testing Avery Dennison's ultrahigh-frequency (UHF) radio frequency identification technology (RFID) as part of the labelling specialist’s Freshmarx Food Safety program. Also the company has developed a microwave-safe inlay that could be applied to food packaging without reacting adversely to microwaves, or to the heat caused by them. It hopes to encourage more food based RFID applications, in the retail sector particularly, with these initiatives.

Smart ReFill Bottles for Smarter People

There have been several versions of intelligent refillable bottles and dispensers. Several pilots have used university students as the test subjects. The idea now seems to be going more mainstream as Coca-Cola European Partners (CCEP) has launched a trial with the UK’s University of Reading targeted at reducing the amount of packaging used for its products and contributing to a more sustainable campus environment.

Just Add Water – The Drink is ON the Cup!

Smart Cups, an innovative drinks manufacturer, has introduced some proprietary technology with a new product line of energy drinks. The pioneer of an exclusive 3D-polycapsule printing delivery system, Smart Cups transforms a virtually empty vessel into a self-stirring energy drink with just the addition of water. The technology has applications across a variety of industries , including food, pharmaceuticals and beyond, says the company.

Smart Partnership for Smarter Packaging Solutions

AIPIA members Selinko, the Internet of Things (IoT) solution provider, and Henkel, the global adhesive and coatings specialist, have announced a collaboration agreement to expand and improve smart and interactive packaging solutions especially focussing on FMCG markets.

Smart Packaging Helps Smooth Out the Wrinkles

Technology and product design firm Cambridge Design Partnership (CDP) teamed up with global beauty brand Avon to use smart packaging to support consumer trials of a revolutionary new anti-ageing product. The companies were able to uncover the truth about how triallists were actually using ANEW Reversalist Infinite Effects Night Treatment Cream during a month-long trial in their own homes. The trial was featured at the recent AIPIA Congress.

RFID now Tracks Levi Clothing in Brazil

The Brazilian subsidiary of Levi's American brand of jeans and other apparel, is now using RFID for tracking and inventory control. The successful deployment, carried out by iTag Tecnologia, is showing positive results following its deployment during the second half of 2017.

New Antimicrobial Material Protects Cooked and Uncooked Foods

India’s largest flexible packaging company, Uflex has developed new packaging material with anti-microbial properties to improve shelf life of packed, cooked foods. The FDA approved packaging material will help to reduce microbial growth, enabling to keep the pouch active and enhance the shelf life of the cooked food, it claims.

Partnership Brings ‘Internet of Packaging’ to SmartLabel

A US provider of QR Code mobile technology services, Scanbuy, has teamed up with AIPIA member Kezzler to bring the internet of packaging (IOP) to consumer packaged goods companies and retailers. Kezzler provides business services for product serialisation, tracking and tracing.

Packaging That Can Power Itself

Two researchers are studying how to create smart packaging that converts the bumps and friction that packages encounter in the distribution environment into energy that can power sensors to monitor products in transit.

RFID Use in Apparel Sector: At the tipping Point?

Mark Roberti, editor of RFID Journal says it's been clear for the past few years that retail apparel will be the first market to adopt radio frequency identification technology on a large scale. Apparel is RF-friendly, and each item comes in a variety of colours and sizes, making it difficult to manage inventory effectively.

BRIC Economies Ramp Up Track & Trace for Pharma

Two of the major BRIC countries, Brazil and Russia, are increasing their efforts to ensure traceability and authentication of pharmaceutical products, according to Securing Industry.

New App Improves Pharma Security Feature

BitSecure is a copy detection pattern created by the Competence Center Schreiner ProSecure using printed digital security features based on a high-resolution, cloud-like random pattern which enables digital authentication of pharmaceutical packaging using a smartphone app. At Pharmapack 2018 (Paris Feb 7-8), Schreiner MediPharm will present a new app for BitSecure authentication with selected smartphones as well as the latest generation of handheld readers.

AIPIA Members Offered Free Coverage in American Markets

AIPIA’s partners in the upcoming AIPIA Americas Summit, Brand Experience Magazine (BXP), are making an exciting offer of free publicity to AIPIA members who would like to participate in a special issue...

IKEA Printed Electronics Open Innovation Challenges

IKEA is looking into the area of Printed Electronics (PE) for ideas that could transform its operations. As a first step, the company will run two Open Innovation Challenges. The challenges are in the areas of Digital Communication Carriers and E-Labels.

Drink Wine..Hear Voices? Its All about the Label!

Treasury Wine Estates (TWE), based in Victoria, Australia and whose brands include Penfolds, Wolf Blass and Lindemans’, has partnered with a company called Tactic on an augmented reality (AR) campaign that sees labels tell stories via an app.

Three New Packs Can Help Patients Manage Their Medication

At Paris Pharmapack (7-8 Feb 2018) August Faller is presenting three prototypes of smart packaging. The company’s folding boxes are designed to improve compliance and make it easier for patients to manage their medication.

Microholograms Protect 10 Million Drug Packets

Optaglio, the research organisation based in the Czech Republic, which specializes in high resolution e-beam lithography security holograms, claims it has delivered anti-counterfeit protection for more than 10 million drug packets in Q4 2017, mostly technologies for covert or forensic protection to supplement visible elements.

WorldStar for the Cap that Talks to Your Customer

Kisico, based in Germany, has scooped a WorldStar for its innovative cap, which features a NFC-Chip that is fully integrated in the cap, so is tamper-free and invisible from the outside, it claims.

Photochromics Add Fun to Cheetos Promotion

Chromatic Technologies Inc. (CTI), based in Colorado Springs, expanded its photochromic ink capability throughout Mexico with a Cheetos-exclusive promotion: "Where is Chester?", in late summer and autumn. The brand hid Chester from its bags, making him visible only by exposing the package to sunlight, so grabbing consumers’ attention, and bringing awareness to the promotion, according to a recent article in PKN, Australia.

Musical Bottle Suits Your Mood!

Together with the biggest Russian manufacturer of microelectronics CCL Kontur has produced innovative promotional labels with integrated NFC-tags for Miller Alcohol Free. The NFC-tag functions as an active recording device that enables the use of consumers’ mobile phones for marketing communication with no need for additional applications.

Cross Border Cooperation Needed to Fight Illicit Trade

In a white paper ‘Implementing Digital Solutions to Address the Issue of Cross-border Illicit Trade’, the Coalition Against Illicit Trade (CAIT) says the complexity of supply chains means “carefully designed inter-connected systems, a well-planned approach to supply chain security and consumer safety” is required if counterfeiting and smuggling are to be defeated.

Printed 3D Nano-structures to Replace 2D Hologram Tags

German researchers have come up with an anti-counterfeit technology based on 3D micro-printed structures that, they say, could be used in place of conventional 2D features like holograms, according to a report appearing in Securing Industry.

Locking Cap Design Prevents Drug Pilfering

A new tamper evident and pilfer resistant pharmaceutical pack is not only effective but has a unique combination lock feature to give it a strong visual impact. Launched in August, Secure Medication Systems LLC’s Safe Rx® line of Locking Prescription Vials (LPVs™) recently won a US pharmacy industry's annual award for innovation in its product category. The company is raising capital to support the scaling of its operations.

Award Winning Marker Technology for Plastics Packaging

Sustainability is an important issue, particularly for A&IP which is helping to reduce waste. Here is a smart piece of technology which helps plastics packaging be more easily reclaimed. So, while coming at the issue from a slightly different angle it is certainly worthy of a mention.

Combination of Active and Passive Protects Nutraceuticals

Clariant, a leading specialty chemicals provider, with a Healthcare Packaging business unit, has announced a combination of packaging solutions that protect the potency and extend the shelf life of probiotics in nutraceutical products by inhibiting their exposure to certain elements.

Socially Responsible Packaging with a Purpose

Spectra Packaging Solutions has developed a range of products designed at giving brands packaging with a purpose as part of their social responsibility initiatives, it is reported by Packaging News. The UK based manufacturer has introduced Illuminate, a print finish that is aimed at brands seeking an anti-counterfeiting packaging solution.

Blockchain and RFID Combine to Fight Fake Chinese Milk Powder

A start-up firm is combining Blockchain with radio-frequency identification in a bid to fight fakes and improve trust in the supply chain of milk powder products in China, according to a recent article in Securing Industry (the article appeared originally in Business Insider).

How to Build Your Pack: the AR Way.

DS Smith has launched an Augmented Reality (AR) app, which enables automotive companies to communicate key information to suppliers globally. Historically, the company would send automotive customers traditional paper documents or weblinks to videos, which showed how to assemble packaging.

QR Concept Can Lead to Better Eating Habits

A digital platform aimed to inspire healthy breakfast habits became a winning concept when the students at Bergh's School of Communication competed to come up with a way Arla Foods could reach out and engage young consumers through digital interactivity based on packaging as a platform. Breakfast Stories stood out as an idea and design with potential to bring about true behavioral change.

New Partnership Offers ‘End to End’ Smart Labels

Skanem Group, a major European supplier of product decoration solutions, has joined forces with Magic Add and UPM Raflatac for its Smart Label range. Magic Add generates unique identifiers/ codes and manages them with a cloud based content and data management platform. With applications on manufacturing, logistics, and marketing, the technology can solve many issues from counterfeit goods to food waste. UPM Raflatac’s role in the cooperation is to act as a concept adviser and material expert.

AIPIA goes West!

Following on from the highly successful World Congress last month in Amsterdam , AIPIA executive director Eef de Ferrante has announced that the association is working with US partner Brand Experience Magazine to organise an AIPIA Summit in New Jersey on 4th & 5th June 2018.

Tune into Your Favourite Beer Can

The iconic record label Island Records has partnered with Crown Bevcan Europe and Middle East, a business unit of Crown Holdings, to launch the world’s first “Shazamable” can for its Session IPA Beer. The collaboration was recognized at the Annual World Beverage Innovation Awards, held in September at Drinktec in Munich, Germany, where the range won Best Can or Alubottle.

Standard Barcode Turns into a Smart Communicator

Multi Packaging Solutions, (MPS), a WestRock company and a leader in value-added print and packaging solutions for the healthcare, branded consumer and multi-media markets, is making packaging smarter through a partnership with Smartglyph, a UK technology business.

Bringing the Walking Dead to Life!

A recent partnership between Mountain Dew and TV channel AMC brought characters from the exceptionally popular show, The Walking Dead to life…so to speak. Through an augmented reality app, consumers were able to experience some of the show’s most iconic zombie walkers in their own real-world environments and then share the interaction via social media.

Digital Packaging Solution for Food and Pharma

Constantia Flexibles has launched Constantia Interactive, a digital packaging solution for the food and pharmaceutical industries which includes digitally readable packaging material, digital platform for data management and a smartphone app

Counterfeit Plain Packs of Cigarettes appear in UK

The Consumer Packaging Manufacturers Alliance (CPMA) has expressed its concern over the discovery of counterfeit tobacco plain packs in the UK according to a recent report in Packaging News. Betterretailing.com reported that the first counterfeit standardised packs of tobacco in the UK were uncovered by Retail Express and trading standards departments.

Venture Capitalists Invest in Battery-Free Bluetooth ‘Smart Everything’

Wiliot, a fabless semiconductor start-up company, has closed an investment round with Qualcomm Ventures, the investment arm of Qualcomm Incorporated, and M Ventures, the strategic, corporate venture capital arm of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany, a leading science and technology company. The announcement was made in conjunction with the opening of the AIPIA Congress in Amsterdam where the company made its first public presentation to leaders in the packaging industry.

‘Talkin’ Trillions’ as New Partnership Opens Up Smart Packaging Solutions

Talkin’ Things®and PragmatIC have announced a strategic partnership to make products talk, they claim. Talkin’ Things® will embed PragmatIC’s flexible integrated circuits into its smart packaging solution to bring consumer engagement and brand protection to trillions of products, as well as personalised marketing campaigns and the ability to measure return on investment, using a suite of user friendly tools.

‘Beyond the Seal’ the Future of Smart Caps

With lives becoming more connected via the internet, co-founder of Water.io, Yoav Hoshen figures now is the time to leverage web-enabled technology in the caps and closures business. He sees a relationship with containers that can go far beyond the utilitarian, according to a report in Plastics News. They will exhibit their technology during the Congress

Opportunities in Asia for Active & Intelligent Packaging

Two of our speakers this year will focus on the opportunities for A&IP technologies in Asia and offer some useful insights into how Western companies can exploit these in both the mature markets of Japan and the growing economies of China and Asia generally. Indeed all of the analysts are predicting that the A&IP sector will find its biggest growth in the Far East as the rapidly expanding middle classes demand more and better CPGs but have less time to shop – hence more complex supply chains and higher value products. But the biggest driver will be the smartphone...

‘All-in-One’ Solution for Product Protection

A newcomer to membership of AIPIA, Advanced Track & Trace has been a long-time partner of food, beverage and cosmetic brands for the protection of products. The company is exhibiting at the AIPIA Congress, presenting its all-in-one solution for product protection through packaging.

Hybrid Printing and Digital Tech to ‘Revolutionise’ Smart Packaging

The next generation of packaging tends to drive high added value and new revenues opportunities to conventional packaging and make it fun, exciting and now intelligent using innovative Printed Electronics says MGI and CERADROP. The companies are developing products and equipment for scalable smart 3D printing and printed electronics (PE).

Two time elapsed indicators, which one is right for you?

“The original, microfluidic time indicator tells you at a glance if a product is still safe to use. It reduces doubt, waste, risk, and saves money. New for 2017 is our refined electronic time indicator, which offers the best intelligent monitoring on the market: real time product status display with proactive communication,” explains Pete Higgins, founder and CEO of UWI Technology.

Partnering to Deliver Brand Protection Solutions in Asia

Systech International, a global technology leader in product safety and consumer and brand protection, and Toppan, a leading integrated printing company and innovator in product packaging and security solutions, has announced a strategic agreement. The accord allows Toppan to serve as a Systech preferred partner to market UniSecure™ in Japan and other Asian-Pacific markets.

Bringing Augmented Reality to Smart Products at Industrial Scale

EVRYTHNG, the Internet of Things Smart Products Platform, and Zappar, a global leader in augmented reality (AR), have announced a new partnership. Expanding its ability to web-enable physical products at scale, EVRYTHNG now allows brands to power AR applications—as well as a full suite of digital product lifecycle applications—via their products.

Smartix boosts Internet or Packaging with NFC concept

Smartix, a concept developed by Bunzl, has given its intelligent packaging solution a significant boost to the development of the Internet of Packaging, it says. Using Near Field Communication (NFC) communication technology, which is available with virtually any smartphone, the application brings the "Internet of Things" to packaging a lot closer, according to Bunzl.

QR Codes Coming of Age for Brand Owners?

Amazon’s ability to personalize consumer marketing is very powerful. Prompts on product pages offering items similar to those you’ve browsed and bought are just the start. The site also uses social info, shopping history and big data to determine products that would be “just right” for you. Brands trying to develop a nuanced marketing program need to be smart about reaching customers.

Dealing with the downside of date codes in a data age

The arguments regarding Sell By, Use By and Best Before dates on packs of perishable continue to excite the interest of Brand Owners, Retailers and Regulators, not to mention the poor, confused, or misled, consumer. The European Commission has had several forays into the subject and it is quite clear from several reports and studies that date codes on labels should be nearing the end of their own particular “shelf-life.”

Opening Doors in Innovation: the Avery Dennison I.Lab™

Our world is getting faster, smaller and more competitive. The line between the physical and digital is blurring. Consumers are now more informed, empowered and demanding than ever before and expect seamless experiences in all parts of their lives. The ‘internet of things’ (IoT) has become a reality and before we know it, everything we own will have a unique digital identity.

Five Million Reasons Why Holograms are Secure

OPTAGLIO, a research centre situated in Lochovice in the Czech Republic has announced it has exceeded 5 million dpi (dots per inch) resolution on holograms, according to an article in Packaging Europe. The advance enhances visual based protections against counterfeiters, as this level of resolution is beyond the reach of potential attackers, according to the developers.

Smart Shelves as well as Smart Packs help with ‘the Tap’

Thin Film Electronics has announced that GlaxoSmithKline (GSK), one of the world’s leading research-based pharmaceutical and healthcare companies, has commercially deployed its SpeedTap™ tags to create interactive ‘smart’ shelves for enhanced communication with consumers

Blockchain Technology to Halt Whisky Fraud

Advanced Research Cryptography , better known as, Arc-net, located in Belfast Northern Ireland, has developed a blockchain-based traceability solution to tackle food fraud. Arc-Net has announced that Dunfermline distillery Adelphi Ardnamurchan has placed its limited edition spirit on its blockchain platform in a move that secures the whisky from food fraud.

Scaling IoT with Battery-Free Bluetooth

Imagine a Bluetooth chip with an infinite lifetime, a small sticker about the size of a small coin with processing power and sensors, for a fraction of the price of traditional devices. Wiliot says it wants to liberate the Internet of Things (IoT) from battery powered beacons. So Stephen Statler, its SVP of marketing and business development will present some user cases around how they are achieving this ambition.

Real-time Parcel Tracking Gets Commercial Roll Out

Internet of Things innovator Hanhaa, today announced that its ParceLive service is now being commercially deployed by a ‘first wave’ of its logistics partners.These companies will use the system to track shipments, support customer service and analyze network efficiency. Further partnership announcements will follow shortly, says the company.

New Data Loggers Offer Improved Functions and Performance

Blulog, which specializes in cold chain optimization solutions, has launched a new version of its remote, real-time monitoring system. Its RF data loggers, used by more than 150 companies in 50 countries, enable remote and real-time monitoring of cold rooms, warehouses, refrigerated trucks and other storage areas of temperature-sensitive products.

Get Ready for Your Digital Congress Beer!

Soon, consumers will be able to buy, digital beer, as well as other consumables, capable of providing information about the product itself and its production stages with the aid of smart codes and the sensors embedded in the product. And it will happen sooner than you think! So VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland’s senior research scientist Maria Smolander will explain to Congress delegates all about TagitSmart and how its coming to a beer (and other things) near you, soon!

New RFID Tag Operates on Metallic Surfaces

RFID and Internet of Things (IoT) solutions company Smartrac has launched the Midas FlagTag, designed for use on consumer goods and industrial components with metallic, plastic and cardboard surfaces. The design uses the metallic surface as part of the antenna structure which helps to improve performance in less demanding physical environments. It also provides cost advantages compared to foam-based inlays and hard tags typically designed for use on surfaces in tougher industrial environments, it claims.

Future Perspectives of Near Field Communication for Packaging

We talk about Near Field Communication, (NFC) in almost every issue of this newsletter. It is one of the fundamental technologies for implementation of Intelligent Packaging functionalities in a vast number of the products we discuss.

Activating consumers as part of value creation and capture with packaging

Strauss Group is an Israel-based international food and beverage company that is at the forefront of implementing Active & Intelligent packaging and helping to improve people’s lives. Its portfolio includes five businesses: Strauss Coffee, Strauss Israel, Strauss Water, PepsiCo – Strauss Fresh Dips & Spreads International and Max Brenner, aligned with two global consumer trends: Health & Wellness and Fun & Indulgence.

Everyday products join Internet of Packaging thanks to pre-serialization

The digitalization of products is happening at record pace, giving birth to the Internet of Packaging and opening an interactive highway of information connecting stakeholders across the value chain, from brands and consumers, to manufacturers and regulators. This new digital avenue is enabled by serialization at mass scale, where encrypted unique IDs carry and transmit information throughout every step of the product-cycle.

Eat Up Your Packaging! Its good for You...

The edible packaging trend fits right into the "reduce, reuse, recycle" formula by eliminating materials which require fossil fuels to produce them and usually wind up in a landfill somewhere. A recent report estimates that the edible packaging market will be valued at $1.1 billion by 2023, from $697 million in 2016. Whether edible packaging becomes commonly available for food items depends a lot on overcoming production issues as well as reducing the cost of manufacture.

New Resin Additive ‘Can Double Shelf-Life’ of Food

Mitsubishi Gas Chemical America now offers an oxygen-absorbing technology for pouch packaging that can more than double the shelf life of some food products. The technology keeps food looking and tasting fresher for longer on store shelves and consumer pantries, resulting in less food wasted throughout the supply chain, says a report in Plastics Today.