Amcor unveils anti-counterfeit smart capsule

Wine capsule specialist Amcor has teamed up with tech firm Selinko to launch ‘the first connected capsule’ in a bid to prevent counterfeiting of wines and spirits.

Consumers will be able to confirm to authenticity of wines with an InTact capsule using any NFC smartphone

Named InTact, the bottle overcap contains a microchip which, using Selinko mobile application platform, can be read by any NFC (Near Field Communication) smartphone or device to verify the authenticity of a bottle.

Amcor Capsules and Selinko will showcase this latest example of the drinks industry’s shift towards smart packaging during Vinitech in Bordeaux from 29 November 29–1 December.

Burgundy producer Domaine Rebourseau, based in Gevrey-Chambertin, will be the first winery to adopt InTact. Earlier this year, Laurent Ponsot of Domaine Ponsot told db that he believed Burgundy was largely unprepared for the threat of counterfeits.

Ponsot was central to the bid to bring fraudster Rudy Kurniawan to justice in 2013 after discovering fake bottles of his own wine at an Acker, Merrall & Condit auction in New York.

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Amcor Capsules said that the “discreet integration of the tag” of the InTact capsule allows brands to “maintain a strong and premium image”, adding that InTact does not require producers to make any changes on the bottling line.

“We are very proud of the tremendous work accomplished by our R&D engineers,” commented Arturo Martorelli, sales a marketing director of Amcor Capsules.

“Our priority was to facilitate the implementation of the capsule on our customers’ bottling lines. This led us to integrate the NFC tag directly in the overcap. Besides, the marketing managers appreciate the discretion of the solution that causes no disruption of the pack while maintaining a high brand image.”

The Intact capsule allows anyone with an NFC smartphone to authenticate a bottle, verify whether it has been opened or not, and to obtain information about the product, such as the vintage, technical specifications, history and serving tips.

Selinko’s platform also allows brands better control of their distribution network by involving the end consumer as final controller.

Selinko also collects real-time consumer insights, while InTact marketing services remain active even after the opening of the bottle. The level of security of the NFC tag can also be adjusted to meet a brand’s needs and budget – from zero-security for marketing purposes up to “bank-level” security.

Selinko CEO Patrick Eischen insisted that InTact was part of a “revolution” happening in connected products and packaging, saying that as many as 85% of consumer transactions are set to be NFC technology-based by 2019.

InTact capsules contain a microchip which can be discreetly integrated within the capsule

“A revolution is happening,” Eischen said. “Connected products and packaging are booming and no market will be spared.

“NFC technology will become inevitable in our day-to-day life. If you look at mobile payment for instance, 85% of transactions will be NFC-based by 2019. In the brand protection technologies market, InTact is paving the way to new possibilities for premium wines and spirits.

“InTact is intuitive, innovative, non-intrusive and aligned with market connected age evolution. Compared to other long-term existing technologies, it doesn’t require any particular expertise on consumer or distributor’s side when it comes to identifying a visual marking as being original or fake. InTact will change the anti-counterfeiting landscape.”

Renowned Burgundy estate Domaine Rebourseau will adopt InTact technology on several vintages of its Clos de Vougeot wines. The first Grand Crus connected bottles will be available on the market in early 2017.