During Pamex 2024, Ranesh Bajaj, director of Vinsak and Fasiculus, delivered a captivating presentation on smart packaging at The Innovation Pavilion, which ran concurrently with Pamex 2024. Packaging plays a vital role as the essential bridge between manufacturing, delivery and consumer consumption. Its fundamental duties involve the safe transportation and protection of goods, alongside the dissemination of crucial product information to meet regulatory standards. Bajaj articulated the vision of elevating packaging to become smarter and more interconnected mediums, signaling the need to adapt to the evolving landscape of consumer demands and technological advancements.
“At Fasiculus, our goal is to elevate packaging into a smart and interconnected medium,” said Bajaj. “With the increasing reliance on smartphones, the integration of connectivity into packaging becomes imperative. The most accessible method is through QR codes, which facilitate automatic data capture. While NFC chips or RFID tags offer more functionality, they come at a higher cost. However, QR codes have become widely compatible across different substrates, from metal cans to paper packs, glass bottles, labels, and monocartons, making smart packaging easily accessible and interconnected across various forms.”
During the seminar, Bajaj demonstrated the seamless integration of QR codes, inviting the audience to scan and engage with the technology. The interaction provided valuable insights into consumer behavior, enabling real-time tracking and authentication of products. Bajaj emphasized the significance of leveraging technology to ensure products remain in authorized locations, thereby combating smuggling and unauthorized distribution. By scanning the code, the backend system captured the audience’s location by providing valuable insights into consumer behavior. “This technology enables tracking of products to ensure they remain in their designated locations. For instance, if a product is scanned in an unauthorized area, it raises red flags for potential smuggling or unauthorized distribution and notifies the brand owner,” Bajaj explained.
Bajaj said that the emergence of ‘Phygital’ – the fusion of physical and digital – is transforming the packaging landscape worldwide. By incorporating digital codes into physical products, brands gain access to valuable data and consumption patterns, facilitating efficient replenishment systems. However, it’s essential to reinforce the security of QR codes with additional features. For instance, utilizing multi-colored QR codes and incorporating variable serial numbers enhance security measures, making replication more challenging. Additionally, implementing technologies like Seal Vector from Fasiculus helps verify the authenticity of products, ensuring they are genuine and non-duplicable.
Offering the audience deeper insight, Bajaj elucidated the concept of smart packaging. He said, “When it comes to intelligent packaging, the benefits are manifold. At Fasiculus, we call it AVI (Authenticity Visibility Interactivity) solution, which enhances packaging in three crucial ways. Firstly, it ensures authenticity. By integrating this technology, you can easily identify counterfeit products, instilling confidence in consumers that they’re purchasing genuine items and not falling victim to scams. In today’s market, safeguarding brand integrity is paramount.
“Secondly, it provides visibility throughout the supply chain. Many brands encounter inventory issues, with warehouses filled with expired stock due to errors in shipping or distribution. Lack of proper tracking leads to inefficiencies and losses. With complete traceability, from production to delivery, brands can mitigate such risks and optimize their operations effectively.
“Lastly, smart packaging offers interactivity. Traditionally, brands lack direct access to end consumers, leaving them dependent on retailers or online platforms like Amazon or Reliance Retail for customer data. These platforms capitalize on consumer behavior insights to launch private labels and potentially overshadow existing brands.
“In essence, smart packaging revolutionizes packaging, empowering brands to combat counterfeiting, streamline operations, and engage directly with their customer base, thereby ensuring long-term success in the competitive marketplace,” explained Bajaj.
