Near Field Communications Handsets and Tags, NFC Pilots and Projects

SMARTRAC looks into biodegradable materials for 'Green' RFID transponders

Friday, October 2, 2009

SMARTRAC has launched a research project to identify and implement biodegradable production materials for use in its production of RFID transponder units.

The research project will be conducted by the SMARTRAC Research & Development department together with several technology institutes in Bangkok, Thailand. In addition, SMARTRAC researchers are currently consulting substrate manufacturers and leading chemical companies.


RFID transponders today are typically made of thin polymer substrates such as PVC or PET films, a metal antenna and a microchip. In addition, adhesive materials are used to join the different layers together. These materials are similar to those used in standard consumer product packaging.

As demand for RFID transponders grows, especially in consumer applications, SMARTRAC is taking early action to ensure that the footprint these devices leave on the environment is as small as possible. SMARTRAC expect the outcome of the research project will be the discovery of a range of new transponder materials to be used as a base for a “Green RFID Transponder” line. [end] 

Texas Instruments (TI) introduced a pair of encapsulated RFID mini-transponders designed for applications in animal tagging and asset tracking.

The 12mm TRPGR30TGC and TRPGP40TGC mini-transponders were developed to enable users a battery-free solution for embedding RFID tags into smaller objects across a broader range of applications. These transponders come ready-to-use and are 100 percent backwards compatible with all of TI’s RFID software and readers including power modules, control modules and micro readers.

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SMARTRAC announced that the company recently signed an agreement to acquireNeology Inc., a provider of integrated solutions for the tolling, electronic vehicle registration (EVR) and public safety markets.

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The Johnson County Library, Kan. will soon move forward on the installation of RFID equipment and adding tags to all of the books and audiovisual materials at the Corinth Library.

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SMARTRAC has announced that it is now supplying a complete collection of NFC transponders, including inlays for labels, tickets, cards and complete tags.

As one of the world’s major suppliers of RFID transponders, the company says it is “well prepared” to support its global customer base in tapping the potential of NFC technology. According to SAMRTRAC, the NFC devices can be used in a variety of application fields such as access control, mobile devices, public transport and contactless payment.  

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UPM has reached an agreement with SMARTRAC whereby UPM will sell its RFID business to SMARTRAC. UPM will become an indirect shareholder of SMARTRAC with a 10.6% economic interest through the company OEP Technologie.

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The Middle Country Public Library in Centereach, N.Y. implemented a self-check and self-return system all made possible with the aid of RFID technology, according to libn.com.

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