[PL] Packaging and protecting products from counterfeiting

Protecting products from counterfeiting is one of the biggest challenges in today’s market. Counterfeiters are increasingly refining the methods they use, and manufacturers need to constantly develop advanced technologies to effectively protect their goods. One of the key elements of this protection is packaging, which can be equipped with a variety of technological safeguards. These include special inks, RFID tags or blockchain technology.

Special inks as a protection method

Special inks are used to protect packaging from counterfeiting, including photochromic, peisochromic, hydrochromic or IR inks. What characterises them?

Photochromic inks

One of the modern developments in packaging security is photochromic inks. These are transparent and only become coloured when exposed to ultraviolet (UV) radiation. These types of inks are particularly difficult to counterfeit as they require specialised equipment for activation and detection. Photochromic inks are invisible to the naked eye under normal conditions, making them even more difficult to copy.

Piezochromic inks

Piezochromic inks change colour under pressure or increased pressure. Detection of this type of protection can be done, for example, by pressing with a finger. These paints, although more difficult to implement, offer a very high level of protection, as their effect is very difficult to reproduce without the right knowledge and technology.

Hydrochromic and chemochromic inks

Hydrochromic paints react to contact with water, changing colour or becoming transparent. They can come in reversible and irreversible versions. Chemochromic inks work similarly, but react to specific chemicals. Both types of paint can be used to create hard-to-counterfeit security features that are easily verifiable by manufacturers and authorised persons.

IR inks

IR inks, which only become visible when exposed to infrared light, are commonly used in the printing of security features such as banknotes and documents of value. These inks can be used for printing on labels or product packaging, allowing them to be quickly and easily verified with the appropriate equipment.

Phosphorescent inks

Phosphorescent paints, also known as ‘glow in the dark’, store light energy and emit it in the dark. This solution can be used in areas where lighting conditions are variable, enabling easy identification of genuine products in difficult conditions.

RFID tags and their role in product security

RFID (Radio-Frequency Identification) labels are increasingly being used to protect products from counterfeiting. Each RFID label contains a unique identifier that can be read by special scanners. This makes it possible to trace a product from production through the entire supply chain to delivery to the end customer.

RFID tags allow fast and error-free tracking of shipments and verification of product authenticity. Their applications range from the pharmaceutical industry to electronics to the food industry. With RFID, it is easy to detect whether a product has been opened or substituted in transit, significantly increasing security and consumer confidence.

Blockchain technology as an anti-counterfeiting tool

Blockchain is a technology that allows the creation of immutable and transparent records of a product’s history. Every change in the supply chain is recorded on so-called blocks, which are interlinked and cryptographically secured.

Blockchain technology is increasingly being used for supply chain management. It makes it possible to track every batch of products from production to transport to delivery to the consumer. Blockchain provides full transparency and protects data from modification, making falsification of information virtually impossible.

With blockchain technology, it is also possible to introduce smart contracts, which automatically carry out settlements based on stored data. This in turn speeds up settlement processes and reduces the risk of errors. Blockchain also makes it possible to detect problems in transport quickly and efficiently and respond to them in real time.

When is it necessary to secure products?

Securing products against counterfeiting is a process that requires advanced technology and innovative solutions. Ordinary printed tapes may not be enough. The use of special inks, RFID tags and blockchain technology can effectively combat counterfeiting and ensure product security in the market. Through these methods, manufacturers can protect their products and gain the trust of consumers, while minimising the losses associated with counterfeiting. In an era of increasing counterfeiting, investment in modern security technologies is becoming not only a necessity, but also a key element of business strategy.

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