Pankaj Bhardwaj, senior director and general manager, Avery Dennison said, "Through the I.Lab we are well-positioned to advance the creation, delivery and adoption of intelligent label solutions for businesses in various industries. After a brief welcome ceremony, Avery's partners and customers had a walk-through the centre which consisted of a display area simulating stores that sell food, apparel, cosmetics and accessories. The I.Lab is located in the same building as one of Avery Dennison's knowledge centre which has 16 partners and provides a real-time experience of what goes into the making of a label – from PS label materials, pre-press, printing and converting, right through to label application.

Modelled after the first concept lab in Oegstgeest, Netherlands, the new I.Lab will demonstrate how Avery Dennison’s intelligent labelling solutions can bring any item to digital life, transforming multiple industries including aviation, apparel, beauty, and food. By connecting the physical and digital world through unique item-level digital identities, businesses can benefit from improved inventory management and increased efficiencies throughout the supply chain.

In real terms what does this entail? According to Anil Sharma, vice president and general manager, Avery Dennison, South Asia Pacific and Sub Saharan Africa, "With the I.Lab, Avery Dennison will broaden its label portfolio, in order to address more than traditional inventory accuracy via EPC ultrahigh-frequency (UHF) RFID labels. Increasingly, RFID labels are being used for more purposes than counting inventory, such as point-of-sale (POS) management, magic mirrors and electronic article surveillance (EAS). In addition, Near Field Communication (NFC) technology, 2D bar codes and wireless sensors are becoming part of the Internet of Things-based solutions companies are seeking."

Anil Sharma, vice president and general manager, Avery Dennison, South Asia Pacific and Sub Saharan Africa

The centre will serve Avery customers, plus the brands who operate in the retail and apparel to the food industry, as well as pharmaceuticals, aviation, automotive industries. This was the message in the presentations as well as the panel discussion. As to how Avery Dennison has helped pioneer the integration of RFID technology in apparel, creating the largest and fastest-growing segment of RFID adoption, delivering more than 10 billion units, and ensuring in the aviation, automotive, food and beauty industries. There is substantial market potential with this technology," said Bharadwaj.

RFID applications on apparels

Sharma added, "Lost baggage has always been a major issue for airlines worldwide. The aviation industry has wisely invested in improving its ability to handle passenger luggage and comply with customer demands. Early adopters like Delta Air Lines have seen baggage read rates rise to 99.5% since UHF RFID adoption, while airports like Las Vegas and Newark have reduced mishandling rates by ~15%."

RFID technology uses radio waves to identify and track tags attached to objects and the tags can store information electronically. It is increasingly relied upon by retailers not only for supply chain activity but also to create a seamless experience for apparel customers. Avery Dennison, the world's largest UHF RFID partner in the retail industry with more than 800 patents and applications, is driving much of that technology. 

Avery Dennison which has a market cap of USD 9.17 billion is a global material science and manufacturing company specialising in the creation of labelling and functional materials.