Top Chinese packager buys PragmatIC technology

One of China’s leading packaging suppliers, BSN – part of the Baoshen Group – has placed an order with Cambridge electronics pioneer PragmatIC Printing for its recently released ConnectIC products.

The new deal adds to PragmatIC’s already strong order book, which exceeded 20 million in April.

These unique, thin and flexible integrated circuits are the ideal solution for adding intelligence to mass-market consumer goods and packaging. 

Asian markets are seeing growing demand for solutions that protect brands and consumers from counterfeit products. PragmatIC’s ultra-low-cost technology can extend to a much wider range of market segments than possible with conventional electronics.

Founded in 1988, Baoshen Group is one of China’s leading packaging material suppliers for footwear, apparel, bags, furniture, cosmetics and accessories. 

The business has an annual capacity of seven billion print items and one billion RFID labels. BSN’s new Eprint line of RFID products are focused on anti-counterfeit solutions for fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG), online sales and pharmaceutical drugs, as well as consumer engagement and experience.

Scott White, CEO of PragmatIC, said: “This new order for our novel ConnectICs re-enforces the attractiveness of our solutions to global companies who are enabling brands to protect their marque and connect with their customers.”

ConnectICs are targeted at market segments such as food and beverage, personal and home care, pharmaceutical and healthcare.

With their thin and flexible form factor, they are suitable for plastic or paper inlays which will be imperceptible when added to labels or packaging. With integrated energy harvesting and designed for use with single layer antennas, ConnectICs are designed to minimise total system cost.

“We see rapidly growing demand in Asian markets for solutions to protect brands and consumers from counterfeit products both in store and online,” said Philip Calderbank, RFID Consultant at BSN. 

“PragmatIC’s ultra-low-cost technology will enable us to roll out solutions to a much wider range of market segments than possible with conventional electronics.”

PragmatIC is continuing to ramp production in the UK through 2019 to meet the demand for its products and working with industry leading partners to ensure that ConnectICs can be easily deployed in high-volume applications.