The Intelligent Future of Labels

(NPES International E-commerce Website, July 15, 2008) The development of smart Labels is an important theme at Drupa 2008. Nanotechnology or integrated RFID chips mean that intelligent labels can store product information, as well as being able to monitor temperature fluctuations or provide evidence that specific rules have been adhered to.

The latest smart materials, products and technologies are on show because, as Mike Fairly, an expert on the global label industry, says, whilst there are countless areas of application for smart labels, these also need tailored solutions.

RFID applications are already in use in the pharmaceutical industry, by airlines, local public transport, parcel post, in sensor electronics, for access control and for forgeryproof entry cards. Examples of their use include pallet and carton identification at Wal-Mart; Metro, Target and Tesco being other users, besides libraries and delivery services such as DHL.

Hong Kong, Las Vegas and San Francisco airports, in co-operation with IAL, BA, Delta, Southwest and ANA of Japan, are making extensive use of the technology in their luggage handling systems and the Paris Metro is experimenting with travel cards protected in this way.