The rapid growth of the global economy has brought opportunities and challenges. With an estimated $1.77Tr annual growth, the counterfeit trade is staggering in its sheer size and is growing at an alarming rate for most brands. So tamper-evident packaging solutions are crucial to the sound development of the economy.
Parcel Tampering Detection
Parcel tampering detection is one of effective tamper-evident packaging solutions. Counterfeit products affect brand integrity and, in worst cases, negatively impact customer well-being. The most effective and easiest way to identify product counterfeiting is to integrate a method on packaging to detect intrusion activity. For example, startups develop anti-counterfeiting and tamper-proof packaging solutions. Branding and packaging companies use such solutions to identify unauthorized packaging tampering throughout the supply chain and ensure the integrity of shipped products.
Noos Technology
- Year Founded: 2018
- Location: Bengaluru, India
The company uses proprietary RUDS technology to automatically generate a unique digital signature for each item when a sticker is applied to a product or packaging. This disruptive technique ensures that each application (even with the same label on the same package) will generate a different signature, making it a very robust application for detecting tampering. At the same time, the identity information of each product is automatically transmitted to the secure management and tracking portal. In comparison, tags can be customized to meet branding, temperature or sustainability, and surface/substrate requirements, helping to provide a very strong weapon against label reuse and tampering.
Holographic Tamper-Proof Labels
Tampered products reach consumers due to a lack of visibility into supply chain operations. While shippers use the Internet of Things (IoT)-enabled sensors to track the location of packages, product tampering is avoidable only through tamper-evident technologies. Consequently, startups develop tamper-evident labels and packages that automatically identify and report product tampering.
Acviss Technologies
- Year Founded: 2016
- Location: San Jose, US
It is a US-based startup that provides uniqolabel, a tamper-proof, holographic label. The startup combines machine learning, computer vision, and blockchain to offer unique, clonable package identities. Its smartphone app allows retailers and consumers to scan uniqolabel and authenticate products, improving brand protection and consumer satisfaction.
Compostable Tamper-Evident Seals
Transparent films are one of the most used sealing materials for product packaging, in which plastic is a primary ingredient. As a result, these films are often lost after product purchase and eventually reach landfills, contributing to plastic pollution. To tackle this, startups use bio-based materials to develop sustainable alternatives to plastic-based seals. For instance, emerging companies experiment with renewable raw materials that are naturally biodegradable.
Humidi
- Year Founded: 2019
- Location: Sacramento, US
US-based startup Humidi provides compostable tamper-evident tube seals, which is one of tamper-evident packaging solutions. The startup’s biodegradable, transparent materials replace plastic-based films and sealed packaged tubes. Besides, this new tamper-evident packaging solutions naturally seals the tubes and requires no machinery for sealing product packages. Thus, Humidi’s solution increases product security and presents a sustainable alternative for contract packaging companies and manufacturers.
Tamper-Proof Package Condition Monitoring
IoT-integrated packaging solutions enable continuous monitoring of package microclimate and geolocation. However, malicious attackers can still alter the recorded data in the cloud and IoT devices to avoid theft or counterfeiting activity detection. Startups mitigate this issue through end-to-end cybersecurity solutions for smart packages and blockchain-enabled data storage， ensuring tamper-free data acquisition and product delivery.
Batch Block
- Year Founded: 2018
- Location: Guildford, UK
It is a UK-based startup that offers blockchain-based package tamper-proofing. The startup’s distributed ledger network enables real-time data tracking using smart contracts throughout the supply chain， increases the transparency of supply chain operations, and provides a full audit trail of data. Batch Block’s solution minimizes counterfeit losses in the food and pharmaceutical industries and ensures consumer safety.
Reusable Tamper-Evident Bags
Collecting information regarding package conditions and any tampering with the shipped product is critical to avoid counterfeits. Moreover, brands must make this information available to consumers to improve their satisfaction and brand loyalty. To facilitate this, startups develop visually identifiable tamper-evident packages. For instance, some packages change color when exposed to fire attacks， allowing consumers to identify potential counterfeiting or theft activities and report them.
Seals HQ
- Year Founded: 2017
- Location: Gordon, Australia
Australian startup Seals HQ manufactures reusable tamper-evident bags. The startup uses only low-density polyethylene (LDPE) to manufacture its bags, making them easily recyclable. The bags detect exposure to heat, freon, and water attacks and prevent further damage even if the package is damaged. Further, these bags are water-resistant and customizable to numerous sizes and design requirements.
Conclusion
These packaging companies focus on real-time package tracking, eco-friendly packaging, and smart packaging. Tamper-proof white packaging solutions are important in promoting the packaging industry and economic development.
