Las Vegas, NV (January 30, 2004) – Speaking January 28 at the Intelligent and Smart Packaging USA conference in Las Vegas, Dan Lawrence of Precisia LLC presented key developments in what he called the “(R)Evolution” of RFID into the supply chain. Lawrence, Precisia’s director of technology and commercialization, discussed how RFID tags will be implemented in the supply chain, and emphasized the critical role high-speed printing and printed electronics technology will play in the rapid adoption of RFID.  A copy of Lawrence’s presentation is available on the Internet at: http://www.flintink.com/precisia “Printing will become the preferred technology for producing RFID tags for smart labeling and packaging applications,” said Lawrence. “Printing RFID antennas lowers costs, increases tag production speeds and provides greater tag design flexibility.” Lawrence’s presentation focused on four key areas: the relative strengths and weaknesses of RFID tag implementation strategies, the use of high-speed printing processes to achieve low-cost antennas, antenna design, and tag placement strategies. In particular, he stressed the benefit of high-speed printing processes over screen processes for antenna application. The production speed and unit cost of RFID tags are significant barriers to the widespread adoption of RFID technology for supply chain use. For example, today, tag makers use slower screen processing applications to attach antennas to RFID tags, but that is about to change. “In laboratory tests, using high-speed printing processes and conductive inks to print antennas increases the speed of tag production – typically 20 to 60 feet per minute – to 50 to 2,000 feet per minute,” explained Lawrence. “That represents a significant reduction in processing time, and tremendous cost savings for RFID tag makers and their end-users.” Precisia’s team of researchers and developers has a unique combination of experience in printed electronics, printing systems, and advanced ink technologies, and is well positioned to serve the smart label, tag, packaging, converting, consumer products and retail industries. Precisia LLC is a separate business unit of Flint Ink Corporation, the world’s largest privately owned ink manufacturer, and provides conductive and advanced printing inks, and electronics technology and processes. Precisia’s offerings include essential materials for radio frequency identification (RFID) and other printed electronics applications, including smart/active packaging and labeling, printed electronics, lighting and displays. For more information, please contact: Rychee Parmann, sales and marketing specialist, at (734) 205-6651 or [email protected]. Founded in 1920, Flint Ink offers a comprehensive range of flexographic, sheetfed, web offset, gravure, UV/EB curable, digital, and advanced and conductive inks. Operations are organized into eight segments: North America, Latin America, Asia, India/Pacific, Flint-Schmidt in Europe, Jetrion LLC (digital inks, equipment and integration), Precisia LLC (printed electronics), and CDR Pigments & Dispersions. Flint Ink operates nearly 100 facilities worldwide, employs approximately 4,600 people and has sales in excess of $1.4 billion USD worldwide.