Some of the newest developments in active and intelligent labels and packaging will be showcased at Labelexpo Americas’ brand new feature area Smart Mart next week. Exploring the latest advances in substrates, inks, digital systems and printing, show attendees will see solutions such as augmented reality, QR codes and scanners, RFID and NFC-enabled smart tags, temperature indicating packaging and films that prevent food spoilage. 

Labelexpo Americas has teamed up with some of the leading active and intelligent label industry suppliers to provide an insight into the future role labels and packaging will play across the retail supply chain. Smart Mart is designed to highlight the ways in which brands will be better able to engage and interact with consumers, intensify their appeal and differentiate from competitors. Exhibitor highlights include:

Avery Dennison is featuring RFID technology and also presenting FiberTracker, an anti-counterfeiting labeling solution which features a paper facestock with unique fiber patterns that can be scanned at point of purchase to validate product authenticity. 

Thinfilm is exhibiting its NFC-enabled labels with temperature sensors designed to monitor perishable goods. Mobile devices with NFC capabilities can wirelessly detect the smart label’s signal and display alerts on the screen if a critical temperature threshold has been reached or exceeded. The intelligent labels also have a unique ID, so it’s possible to log the alert in a cloud-based application for further big data analysis.

Blippar will display the possibilities of digital engagement through its mobile application that allows users to explore interactive advertising through augmented reality (AR) and image recognition. Brand logos or the universal 'Blipp' symbol can be designed into packaging for users to unlock all kinds of useful and fun content from a brand.

Clemson University will demonstrate its eye-tracking technology, which can assist both designers and brand managers with re-branding tactics and shopper response and reach schemes.

Derprosa Film will be promoting Bacterstop, anti-bacterial BOPP films for food contamination prevention applications.

EVRYTHNG is a Web of Things software company, making products smart by connecting them to the Web. Companies use EVRYTHNG’s software-as-a-service to manage their connected products, make product operations smarter with real-time tracking analytics, and help their customers connect to products in a smarter way. The EVRYTHNG Engine helps companies to manage billions of intelligent online identities in the cloud for their products. 

Phoenix 27 will focus on its solution for the premium wine label producer seeking big data information on consumer demographics including their buying preferences, authentication of the true product and suggestions for foods to enjoy with the wine.

SMARTRAC is showing intelligent RFID solutions highlighting industrial and commercial applications, from real-time asset interaction, analytical trend data to component visibility and authentication, all the way to customer experience and customer retention.

T+Sun will exhibit its conductive ink solutions to make packages and objects communicate, engage consumers, manage inventory systems and provide brand authentication solutions. T+Sun is an organization created through the partnership of Sun Chemical and T+ink.

Xterprise will demonstrate the core value of RFID at retail using its Clarity software solution and SML passive RFID tags. The software can count an entire store's inventory in less than an hour, making twice-a-year audits a thing of the past and increasing real-time inventory accuracy. 

Tasha Ventimiglia, event director for Labelexpo Americas said: “Active and intelligent labels and packaging are already an effective weapon in the battle against counterfeiting, but they are fast proving to be an immensely useful tool in engaging with consumers and generating brand loyalty. This is a massive growth area for our industry and market research released earlier this year by Freedonia predicts that active and intelligent packaging in the US is to rise 8% every year, reaching $3.5bn in 2017. With so many new and fast evolving technologies in the pipeline, developments over the next few years in this area will be very exciting and will revolutionize the look of our shopping aisles in the near future.”