Henkel Adhesive Technologies has expanded its smart packaging activities for near field communication (NFC) solutions with the professional hair care brand „Indola“. As a pilot project, a total of 300,000 different articles from three styling brands were linked together via NFC tags within a year. These items are available in 35 different countries under the name „Indola #SimplySmarter“.
The range is aimed at professional hairstylists and customers alike. If you want to apply the partially invisible, partially visible NFC tags with their smartphone, they are taken to a customised website with product information, how-to videos from celebrity ambassadors and a regularly updated Instagram profile. Especially via the Hashtag „#SimplySmarter“ Instagram page, hairdressers around the world can network with each other and inspire each other.
The NFC markings also make it possible to check the authenticity of the products. Each individual item is serialised. Its authenticity can therefore be checked using the unique number. Henkel hopes that this will provide advantages in the fight against counterfeit products as well as a more precise analysis of the flow of goods and grey markets.
„Internet of Things“ gains momentum
The Indola smart packaging solution was developed in co-operation with the label manufacturer „all4labels“ and the Internet of Things (IoT) provider „GoodsTag“. A „Smart Products Platform“ and the new label technology can be used to provide customers with an unlimited number of service offers, from loyalty programmes to vouchers and reorder options.
„IoT is a megatrend that is gaining exponential momentum,“ says Paolo Bavaj, Head of Corporate Venturing and Scouting at Henkel Adhesive Technologies, about the innovative packaging solution. Due to the success of the pilot project, it is now to be expanded. Over the next two years, further products are to be equipped with NFC tags.
