Printed electronics in the packaging sector: from information to staging
From mere container to multifunctional information and marketing tool: In the future, packaging will experience a substantial upward revaluation thanks to the diverse possibilities of printed electronics. Product packaging is the largest printed product and has four important functions: containment, protection, convenience, and communication.
Integrated, printed sensors for temperature measuring with RFID functionality, for example, allow better tracking of whether the cold chain has been maintained at all times. Electronic components providing information about product and manufacturer can also be imprinted and read out by the smartphone via NFC. Examples are smart expiry date label or logistics monitoring label. Printed electronics can help to identify counterfeits quickly and easily.
New marketing opportunities are opened up by ultra-flat lighting elements that are printed directly onto the cardboard material. They make it possible, for example, to produce luminous colored packaging emitting light on the shelf. The interior of a product carton can also be equipped with impressive lighting effects that make unboxing an experience.
The energy required for these and other applications is generated and stored by ultra-flat and flexible integrated solar cells and batteries—another domain of printed electronics.
More safety, new benefits: Printed electronics in the logistics sector
Where is a specific envelope located? Is the package guaranteed to be in its original packaging? Was the cold chain maintained? In the logistics sector, printed electronics opens up a wealth of new opportunities and possibilities for greater security and service.
Whether it is tracking shipments in real time or being able to verify at any time that agreed transport parameters such as temperature or humidity have been met: In the logistics sector, printed electronics offers answers to numerous requirements and issues.
This technology can be used to equip cardboard boxes, shipping envelopes, and even address labels with a variety of printed sensors and electronic functions. This makes it easier than ever for logistics service providers to record and track shipments during transport and provide proof of secure delivery.
Integrated sensors can continuously record parameters such as storage temperature, humidity or light incidence, which play a decisive role in the transport of medicines, food or special technical equipment and works of art—for instance, as active controls or as evidence in the event of a dispute.
Printed Electronics can help to combat counterfeiting. The technology ensures greater security by using packaging with printed electronic functionalities. One practical possibility for this purpose are sensors that record any attempted manipulation or other incidents. Provided NFC functionality is also integrated, the corresponding information can be read out via smartphone at any time as well as directly on the package.