additives | Anticounterfeiting
replaced by cheaper, illegal alternatives; this technol- ogy also offers a simple method of determining whether the antimicrobial is being included at all, without being prohibitively expensive,” says Joanna Wilson, marketing manager at SteriTouch. She adds that, with increasing regulations surrounding biocides, manufacturers want to be sure they are compliant and that their products are performing as they should. Selection of the appropriate taggant is important to be sure there are no adverse reactions, such as discoloration, between the taggant and antimicrobial or matrix. The increasing desire to better control the supply
Above: Electronics is a key market for TruTags’s microtag anticounterfeit- ing technology
commercial products include markers made from crystalline and/or ceramic particles that can combine security features including colour change and fluores- cence for fast, mobile detection; a product code that can be read with a handheld XRF device; and a structural fingerprint based on the random details of each production batch that can be analysed in the laboratory. The security features offer a legally valid authentication of a product marker, comparable to a forensic proce- dure, says Peter Hensle, head of marketing and key account manager at Polysecure. TruTag’s microtags can withstand temperatures well
above 1,000°C, and can be used in various plastics forming processes. The company is developing methods to integrate the taggant directly into plastic pellets, and is also working with additive companies and packaging manufacturers on unique food packaging concepts, says Kent Mansfield, President of TruTag. “We are still seeking channel partners in the plastics business who have technical expertise and wish to co-develop solutions for their particular markets,” he says.
Right: Sen-
nheiser’s Sport headphones use an
antimicrobial additive from
SteriTouch that incorporpo-
rates taggants to provide
supply chain
verification and authentication
Securing supply chains A recent example of a product that makes use of an anticounterfeiting additive is the Sports range of performance head- phones made by Sennheiser, which incorporate an ionic silver antimicrobial from SteriTouch. A taggant that can be detected using an inexpensive, handheld laser is integrated with the SteriTouch antimicrobial additive and is available either as a masterbatch or a compound. The taggant serves a dual purpose of authenticating the end product and of verifying the presence of the antimicrobial additive. “Overseas third-party manufacturing is on the increase, so Western brands must find ways of ensuring their specified additives are not being
56 COMPOUNDING WORLD | December 2015
chain is leading to plenty of discussion about using taggants to authenticate polymers or the presence of specific additives, says Dave Witt, R&D manager at Plastics Color Corp. “Complex finished parts may have moulded parts coming from many different locations, and it is important to ensure that their suppliers are using the specified materials,” he explains. In addition to protecting against liability and
protecting brand identity, companies are also beginning to look at anticounterfeiting measures as a means of differentiating their product. “On a business-to-busi- ness level, anticounterfeiting features can be a value-added product capability that parts producers can provide to brandowners,” says Plastic Color’s Skidmore. An ongoing trend in consumer products is to connect with the purchaser using technologies such as QR codes to give information to the customer as well as to capture feedback. This can include information on sourcing and verification. “Sophisticated consumers are more aware of counterfeiting and want to know what they are buying. Millennials want to know the origins of their food and other products,” says Applied DNA’s Hayward. “The ultimate goal for many brands is to not only
protect their product but also to tap into the consumer experience,” says PolyOne’s Petrie. “A security feature that is robust enough to be overtly advertised to the consumer (and counterfeiter) but also secure enough that it still offers brand protection is a growing request. PolyOne is developing solutions to fit this need in specific markets and we continue to expand the
applications scope.” Systech also sees its technology evolving for
use at the consumer level. Scanning by consumers “opens the door to engagement programs,” says the company’s COO Lou Arace. “In an age of social media, companies are looking for innovative ways to engage directly with consumers at the time or purchase. Clearly, the first step is to ensure the
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