NFC News In Brief

To accompany our feature this month on recent trends in near-field communication (NFC), we thought we’d take a snapshot of new authentication and identification programmes that are opting for NFC tags.

An interesting aspect of some of these programmes is their use of NFC in combination with another technology that starts with the letters ‘NF’: namely non-fungible tokens, or NFTs. Whereas NFC secures the physical item it is attached to, NFT secures the digital ‘twin’ of that item on a blockchain. In addition, an NFC tag acts as a link between the physical item and the NFT.

Medicom Combats Counterfeit Figurines with NFC Tags

Japanese collectible toy maker Medicom Toy has added NFC authentication tags to three of its Be@rbrick figurines in a bid to combat numerous fake versions of the bear-shaped toys that have appeared on the market.

To verify the authenticity of their figurine, customers just need to tap their smartphone against an NFC tag embedded in the right leg of each toy. The tag and authentication platform provider is Toppan.

The solution also combines NFC with NFTs to allow product ownership information to be managed on a blockchain in the form of a certificate of guarantee that customers can use to transfer ownership of a figurine to a new buyer, as well as check the product’s authenticity.

Chinese Tea Brand Adopts Tamper-Evident NFC Tags

Another NFC tag programme provided by Toppan pertains to Chinese tea. Customers purchasing special anniversary gift boxes of Halfism’s Fuding white tea can verify their purchase is genuine, access detailed product information and receive coupons towards future purchases, by scanning an NFC tag embedded in the product packaging with their NFC smartphone.

Each tag is equipped with a tamper- evident function that can detect whether the product has been opened and potentially tampered with prior to purchase.

The tag is designed to stop functioning if anyone attempts to remove it from the original packaging and fraudulently attach it to another product.

‘Part of the NFC communication circuit embedded in the paper-based container has a fragile structure. This means that if the NFC tag is removed from the package, the circuit is broken and the NFC tag itself breaks, preventing the risk of NFC tags being removed from packages and used fraudulently,’ Toppan explains.

‘In addition to the NFC communication circuit, a circuit that detects disconnection can be positioned to detect opening of the package.

‘NFC tag functions are maintained even if this additional circuit is broken, meaning that scanning with a smartphone or other NFC-enabled device is still possible after a product has been opened.

‘As well as bolstering security, this opening detection function also has benefits for consumer engagement because brands can vary the content and information provided to consumers when they scan the NFC tag based on whether they have opened the product or not.’ 

Perfume Brand Joins the Metaverse Through NFC

Byredo, a fragrance and makeup brand, has joined forces with RTFKT, the Nike-owned digital fashion startup, for the release of customised ‘digital and physical scents’.

The fragrances consist of a combination of 26 ingredients that represent different emotions. They are packaged in bottles with NFC tags that connect to NFTs. Each customised perfume will be launched as a digital collectible in limited quantities.

This project marks Byredo’s first foray into the metaverse, following in the footsteps of other beauty brands such as Estée Lauder, Givenchy Beauty, Nars and Jeffree Star, which are investing in the digital space.

‘I liked the idea of dissecting it down to raw materials. A single scent is incapable of representing this virtual world, so we formulated a lexicon of elements that collectors can combine at will to make something entirely unique,’ Byredo founder Ben Gorham explained.

Tequila Maker is First Spirits Company to Go Fully Digital with NFC

Tequila maker OTACA has partnered with Identiv, a digital security and identification provider for Internet of Things connectivity, to integrate NFC-enabled authentication and customer engagement programmes into its packaging.

NTAG 210u NFC tags are attached to the top of OTACA tequila bottles.

With more than 5,000 bottles of tequila already digitised during a pilot launch earlier this year, OTACA plans to increase production with Identiv to an additional 50,000 bottles of Reposado tequila in the first quarter of 2023.

OTACA is said to be the first spirits company to fully digitise its product offerings with NFC.

‘Our NFC tags on OTACA Tequila bottles are propelling global sales by facilitating re-orders, while delivering unparalleled insights into consumer habits and behaviour’, said Amir Khoshniyati, VP and General Manager, Transponders, Identiv.

The NFC tag, combined with blockchain technology, is intended to strengthen the validity of the tequila’s origins.

Smart Syringe Uses NFC to Store Drug Information

Medical device producer NP Plastibell has introduced a pre-filled ‘smart syringe’ with an embedded STMicroelectronics ST25TV NFC tag, which stores and relays information about its contents to practitioners and patients.

The ST25TV uses an onboard EEPROM (electrically erasable programmable read-only memory) to store data that can be communicated to an NFC reader. In the case of a smart syringe, this data could be the expiration date, dosage, and side effects of the pre-filled medicine in the syringe.