Intelligent mirrors, new biomaterials and sustainable packaging design
Visitors at the fair can explore a complete shop equipped with state-of-the-art RFID technology. The seminar programme at Scanpack is starting to take shape, and will more than satisfy the demands of everyone interested in the latest information on RFID, biopackaging and design.
At the core of the RFID seminar is a solid demonstration of how far RFID technology has advanced in the retail sector. Visitors can explore a complete shop where RFID is used in many applications, including active shopping trolleys and shelving systems, intelligent mirrors that display text and a checkout equipped with RFID technology. “We will also build a simple warehouse beside the shop to show how RFID works through the entire operational chain,” says seminar manager Bo Wallteg.
The retail companies that currently stand to benefit most from RFID are fashion department stores and clothes shops where the cost of the goods is high enough to justify investing in RFID equipment including readers and active tags. But there’s no doubt that Radio Frequency Identification will enjoy a widespread breakthrough as the price gradually drops and the technology evolves.
The men’s clothing retailer Taracci in Forum Nacka outside Stockholm was first in Sweden to replace a conventional checkout system with RFID technology. The company reports that the investment paid off in less than a year. RFID is also used to manage the logistics flow to the company’s four stores, two in Sweden and two in Belgium. There will be further information about this at the RFID seminar.
The Finnish company NP Collections, winner of Guldtaggen 2009 (Golden Tag Award) will also participate in the RFID seminar.
Fifteen exhibitors have signed up for Biopack so far, but there may be more. The seminar will discuss the latest trends and materials. Topics covered include life cycle analyses of various biomaterials and whether these materials really improve the environment – a question that has not yet been fully investigated.
Design is the seminar’s third hot topic. Several speakers have already signed up, including Barbro Berggren, SCA and Mats Lundgren, Ericsson, who will discuss design, sustainability and packaging development. Another fascinating seminar explores synergies between the packaging industry and academia. Glenn Svedberg from Nolato Cerbo AB will discuss this subject with Ulrike Rahe, professor of industrial design at Chalmers University of Technology.