The tags are designed to thwart counterfeiters, prevent unauthorized refills, and promote product authentication via a custom app and cloud-based platform which can track a product’s ‘factory sealed’ and ‘opened’ state.
19th Century 'Versos 1891' sherry
Manuel Barbadillo, chairman, Barbadillo, said the technology will be incorporated onto its 'Versos 1891' sherry bottles dated from the 19th century and thought to be one of the oldest and rarest sherries on the market today.
“It’s gratifying that an emerging Norwegian technology company can deliver value to a centuries-old Spanish winery on such a meaningful initiative,” said Davor Sutija, CEO, Thinfilm.
“The Barbadillo brand has a rich history, and we’re delighted our NFC OpenSense technology is playing a role in protecting that legacy.”
Barbadillo and Thinfilm will be demonstrating the Versos 1891 connected ‘smart bottle’ at Mobile World Congress 2016, this week at Fira Gran Via in Barcelona, Spain.
Thinfilm partnered with Constantia Flexibles to develop the pressure sensitive labels, launched in Q1, 2015.
The tags remain active after a product’s factory seal has been broken, meaning brands can engage in consumer dialogue beyond the point-of-sale and continues throughout the product’s lifetime, including the opportunity to repurchase.
Authentication of a product’s originality
It also gives consumers visibility into product lineage. While authentication of a product’s originality is critical, consumer engagement is now weighed in as a factor when brand owners calculate ROI for such products.
The label-focused initiatives will be managed by Constantia Flexibles’ Label Division.
Thinfilm is based in Oslo, Norway with sites in Linköping, Sweden; San Jose, California, US; and sales offices in the US, Hong Kong, and Singapore.