The field of smart packaging and retail communication has great potential for a large volume of products manufactured. However, proving a positive return on investment remains an elusive goal for most technology developers, and emerging technologies must find the best industries and applications to maximize its value. We examine emerging display, energy, sensor, and identification technologies for their value and maturity to provide an assessment of which will have an impact and when that impact will occur. We evaluate these emerging technologies for their potential to address consumer-facing and behind-the-scenes applications in smart packaging and retail communication in the food and beverage, pharmaceutical, and consumer goods industries.
Table of Contents
Executive Summary
Landscape
Smart Packaging Opportunities Abound, but Require Good Return on Investment
Many Printed Electronics Technologies Can Play a Role
Electronic Identification Technology May Be on the Verge of Taking Off
Sensors Convert Environmental Properties into Electrical Signals
Displays Offer the Opportunity to Interact with Customers in Unique Ways
Several Options Exist for Powering Smart Packages
Electronic Smart Packaging Has the Potential to Impact Many Areas
Behind the Scenes, Smart Packaging Can Provide Value to Companies in Many Ways
Customers Interact with Packaging within the Store and at Home
Many Markets Can Use Smart Packaging and Electronic Retail Enhancement
Smart Packaging for Food and Beverage Must Have Low Cost to Prove Return on Investment
Pharmaceuticals' High Cost Creates a Number of Viable Smart Packaging Opportunities
Consumer Goods Offer Opportunity, but the Packaging Needs to Be Tailored to the Product
Landscape Conclusions
Analysis
Technologies Differ in Value They Provide and When They Can Provide It
A Technology's Score Puts It into One of Four Categories
Energy, Displays, Identification, and Sensors Vary in Their Value and Maturity
Thin-Film Batteries Lead for Energy, but Inductive Coupling Will Compete in the Future
Electrophoretic and Electrochromic Display Are Mostly Likely to Have Near-Term Impact
Passive RFID Is the Current Identification Leader, and Will Be for the Foreseeable Future
Sensor Technologies Provide High Value, but Maturity Varies
Finding the Right Application for Any Technology Is Vital for Success
Behind the Scenes, Passive RFID Will Find Its Greatest Value, but Thin-Film Batteries Will Emerge
Displays Find More Value with Customers, While Sensing Applications Will Be Limited
