There are many types of "Tags" using QD Plastics
Post# of 22456
Plastics Engineering | June 2015
ACTIVE PACKAGING GETS SMARTER
Embedded sensors and quantum dots help plastics packaging make giant leaps in usefulness
By Geoff Giordano
In this age of information, it’s no wonder that even our packaging is telling us valuable things about what’s inside. “Active” or “intelligent” packaging provides information on practically everything, from the state of its contents to when patients must take medication.
Options include track and trace, featuring RFID tags and printed sensors; condition-monitoring or time/temperature indicators; security alert devices; and anti-microbial properties and shelf-life extension. “Brand owners are also very interested in the marketing opportunities to improve consumer engagement and gathering data,” says Andrew Manly, communications director for the Active and Intelligent Packaging Industry Association (AIPIA).
The food industry benefits greatly from such packaging, assuming 30% food waste along the supply chain, Manly notes. “l bet if one of the major food retailers saved 10% of the food it throws out because it has passed its sell-by [date], that would run into tens of millions” of any given currency.