The market of self-adhesive labels is constantly growing both economically and technologically, in new developments as well as in innovation. Offering an attractive texture or a resistant adhesive is no longer sufficient. – Juan Stratta (*)

 

(*) Avery Dennison, Senior of Business Development.
 

The great competition results in that the leading companies are innovating and developing proposals so as to offer a higher added value of the experience and thus offering consumers an interactive experience with the label.

 

A growing trend is related to smart labels. Within this subsegment, we have detected a niche market within the area of transportation and logistics, particularly in the control of the cold chain during the supply of those products, which are sensitive to any change in temperature. Such products are, among others:

 

l Fresh food                                 l Floriculture

l Frozen food                               l Vaccines and medications

l Special raw materials                 l Blood and human organs for transplantation

 

The order of the preceding list is not at random, but is shown in ascending order according to the load sensitivity and cost, which is not always economic since it is not able to maintain the control of the cold chain during the transportation and distribution of the merchandise.

 

Throughout this process, the risk is permanent, and there is a latent possibility that the load exceeds the pre-established temperature levels even for a short period of time. For example, a truck can damage its freezing equipment by transporting a refrigerated load on a day with high temperatures. This situation implies a variation of temperature in the refrigerated cargo compartment.

 

Even when the equipment is repaired and the temperature returns to the defined ranges, the cold chain was compromised and the load has suffered the consequences. In order to have a better control at the intermediate points of the cold chain, different temperature measuring equipment is used, which ranges from traditional mercury thermometers to more sophisticated technologies, such as Data Loggers or thermographs, in connection with the software developed for measurement.

 

By means of a temperature sensor and the latest technology in NFC data exchange (Near Field Communication), this self-adhesive label stores the temperature records at scheduled intervals according to the user's requirement by way of a user-friendly interface, and without any need to have a specific knowledge.

 

The programming is done by way of an application available for AndroidTM from any smartphone or tablet compatible with NFC technology, while the data can be read at any point of the supply chain.

 

There is no doubt that this label offers a solution for many companies who require an exhaustive control of their logistics, inventory and deliveries, whereas the said solution will not only improve the monitoring process, but the quality and profitability of their products as well.

 

 

Main benefits

  • Accurate measurement of temperature as a function of time.
  • Small label and easy application.
  • Control by way of a mobile app, and data transfer via NFC.
  • Competitive cost compared to current temperature measurement methods.
  • It provides information to improve the quality of deliveries, the inventory and of logistics.
  • Great sustainability.

 

Applications

  • Medicines and pharmaceutical products.
  • Food and beverages.
  • Chemicals and polymers.
  • Other materials requiring a temperature control.

 

 

 

Photo by chuttersnap on Unsplash