How Converters Can Make RFID Labels
Shakeout
The RFID value chain has fragmented, with companies variously offering chips, straps, near-field inserts for mounting on far-field labels; conventional inserts; white labels and fully tested overprinted, wet and dry labels that are barcoded; and similar structures. As the market matures, it will not be possible for all to make a profit other than in niches. Certainly, Deloittes has calculated that the promised one cent chip-based labels for everything in the supermarket and even letter post will not be enduringly possible or profitable for all in the RFID value chain. That will call for chipless solutions such as the primitive conductive ink stripes printed at high speed directly onto packaging by ACREO of Sweden and M-real in Finland, if it proves adequate. The Acreo technology recently became available under licence.
