Norway-based Thinfilm Electronics has entered into the partnership with Korea-based Nexgen in a move that will see the NFC OpenSense technology incorporated into Nexgen’s international shipments of ingredients for the skin care and medical industries.
The OpenSense technology will be incorporated into containers and packaging, enabling Nexgen to monitor shipments throughout the supply chain and to be proactive should any issues arrive that might compromise product integrity or authentication.
Nexgen’s expansion gives rise to closer monitoring
Nexgen markets a series of high tech and innovative ingredients to the skin care ingredients that have been well received in recent years, leading to significant expansion of the business, particularly in the China market.
However, the growth has also given way to the need to monitor shipments more closely, especially given that volumes are on the rise and the fact that it is also supplying some of the larger industry players.
“As an exporter of advanced materials, we were looking for ways to build trust in our products with domestic and overseas partners, and decided to use Thinfilm’s NFC OpenSense tags.” said Sunlee, CEO of Nexgen.
“We feel the technology will help establish confidence among our potential partners in the Nexgen brand and its advanced materials. Additional use-case applications are also being considered.”
How OpenSense works
Thinfilm’s OpenSense technology works by allowing any customer to track packages using either an NFC reader or a dedicated app downloaded to a smart phone.
The OpenSense tags are thin, flexible labels that can detect whether a product batch is still factory sealed or if it has been opened or tampered with while being shipped, through wireless communication to the smartphone or NFC reader.
The tags remain active even when the shipment has been opened, enabling companies to have a greater level of control and to be interactive with supply chain partners that may be able to identify possible solutions.
“The proteins and compounds developed by Nexgen are innovative, so there’s an inherent need to maintain the integrity of the materials throughout its distribution network, particularly in regions known for high levels of counterfeiting activity,” said Davor Sutija, CEO of Thinfilm.