Imagine that you are about to purchase a case of very fine wine from Burgundy to add to your growing wine cellar. Since your prize had to travel far to reach you and passed through many hands, also imagine that you possess a foolproof method of verifying the authenticity of its contents without engaging the services of an expert.
Such security is as close as your smart phone, thanks to an exciting partnership between AMCOR Flexibles, a global leader in providing worldwide packaging solutions, and Selinko, one of the industry’s leading developers of anti-counterfeiting, traceability and consumer engagement services.
The innovation is known as InTact, the name for a line of capsules containing NFC (Near Field Communication) tag that is capable of transmitting data about whether a bottle has been previously opened and resealed, as well as a host of other information about the beverage and its producer.
According to AMCOR Communication Manager, Lucie Neubauerova, InTact is an important breakthrough for wineries and distilleries subject to counterfeiting and ‘gray market’ practices around the globe.
“This is a major benefit for wineries and distilleries that are exporting products to markets susceptible to counterfeiting and gray market diversion,” reports Neubauerova. “Especially in China, where it is a huge problem, consumers are demanding the technology to protect the authenticity of their purchases.”
InTact works through a NFC chip installed within the capsule that interacts with an Android smart phone held near the neck of the bottle. One of the antennas in the chip will report whether the bottle has been tampered with. The other, once the bottle has been purchased and opened, can engage the consumer with personalized marketing messages designed to promote a closer association with the brand.
“It’s an exciting way to connect the consumer and the bottle,” confirms Neubauerova. “All objects are moving to the Internet of things. Wine and spirits are real products. We are protecting their authenticity and creating new relationships at the same time.”
AMCOR Flexibles and Selinko will be showcasing the InTact capsules at the Unified Wine and Grape Symposium in Sacramento on January 25 and 26 in Sacramento at booth # 1710. For more information go to amcor.com
About Amcor Capsules
Amcor Capsules is a market leader specializing in the design and manufacture of overcaps and closures for wine, sparkling wine and spirits. Amcor Capsules has plants in France, Canada, USA and Chile.
