Identification technology
Industrial RFID solutions
We supply industrial RFID labels: a chip and antenna that are read automatically when they pass through a gate, a conveyor or a warehouse, with no scanner or line of sight, up to 12 metres in UHF and simultaneously for multiple tags. Printable Smart Labels, On-Metal formats for metal surfaces and custom conversion to match the process. It is the natural next step from barcodes towards automatic traceability.
UHF reading
Up to 12 m
Standard
EPC Gen2 · ISO 15693
Formats
Smart Label · On-Metal
Service
Custom conversion
Types of RFID solution
First RFID project?
We help you define the right frequency, inlay and material for your use case. We validate with a pilot test before full implementation.
Ask about an RFID project →When RFID is used
RFID solves situations where a barcode is not viable: no line of sight, bulk volume, hostile environments or metal surfaces that block a conventional signal.
Environments and situations
Technical requirements of the solution
Types of RFID label
The right choice of RFID label type depends on the required reading distance, the application surface, the environment and integration with the existing information system.
A paper or polypropylene label with an integrated RFID inlay. The outer face accepts thermal printing with a barcode, DataMatrix, text and a logo. The ideal solution for companies that want to roll out RFID while staying compatible with their current barcode readers. Available in UHF and HF.
An RFID label with an insulating layer (foam, ferrite or dielectric polymer) that protects the antenna from interference caused by the metal surface. Standard labels on metal lose up to 90% of their reading range. On-Metal labels keep full performance on steel, aluminium and conductive surfaces. It is the right solution for metal industrial assets.
When a standard label does not suit the use case, we define a custom conversion: we select the inlay (chip + antenna), integrate it into the right face material and adhesive, and configure the chip's encoding. Available in UHF (EPC Gen2 / ISO 18000-63) and HF (ISO 15693 and NFC ISO 14443). Pilot test included before production.
Common materials
The RFID inlay is integrated into the label face material suited to the environment of use. These are the most common ones in industrial projects.
Material 01
The usual base material for industrial Smart Labels. Resistant to solvents, moisture and handling. Allows barcode printing on the outer face.
See polyesterMaterial 02
For environments with moisture, cold or plastic surfaces. Compatible with UHF and HF inlays. Good cost-performance ratio in RFID logistics applications.
See polypropyleneWhere RFID is applied
RFID adds value where a barcode is no longer enough: when reading without a line of sight is needed, reading multiple labels simultaneously, or identifying assets in hostile environments.
UHF · Gates
UHF RFID gates at warehouse entrances and exits automatically record every labelled item as it passes, with no operator and no manual scanner.
On-Metal · UHF
Tools, machinery, machining fixtures and metal pallets are identified with On-Metal UHF labels. No barcode to wear out and no line of sight needed.
Smart Label · HF/UHF
Smart Labels combine variable data printing with an RFID chip. Each unit is identified automatically as it passes fixed antennas on the line.
Standards and protocols
RFID standards guarantee interoperability between chips, readers and systems from different manufacturers. Choosing the right standard is the first step in any RFID project.
In industrial practice, all RFID labels covering the UHF EPC Gen2 and HF/NFC standards are passive: they carry no battery and draw their power from the reader's field when they enter it. Active RFID (with its own battery) exists but is reserved for very specific cases — real-time location of vehicles or containers — and is not what is used for traceability, inventory or dispatch. For a plain-English explanation of how RFID works and the differences between passive, active and semi-passive, see the guide what is RFID and how does it work.
The dominant standard in logistics and the supply chain. Reading up to 12 m with long-range antennas. Reads hundreds of tags in tenths of a second. Compatible with every UHF RFID reader on the market. 96-bit EPC memory, extendable with user memory. Standard adopted by GS1 for logistics identification (EPC/RFID).
Short-range reading (up to 1 metre). Higher security than UHF. Better performance in environments with liquids. ISO 15693 is the most common industrial standard for identifying tools, samples and documents. NFC (ISO 14443) is compatible with smartphones for end-consumer traceability applications.
What commonly goes wrong
Mistake 01
A conventional RFID label applied to steel or aluminium can lose up to 90% of its reading range. The metal directly interferes with the antenna. For metal assets, an On-Metal label with a specific insulating layer is needed.
Mistake 02
UHF waves are absorbed by water and liquids. In environments with liquid products, damp fabrics, or when greater reading security is needed, HF (ISO 15693) or NFC is the right choice because it is less sensitive to interference.
Mistake 03
The real performance of an RFID label depends on the environment, the face material, the surrounding objects and the distance to the reader. A label that works well in the lab can perform very differently on the plant floor. A pilot test with the real environment and reader is the step that prevents the most mistakes.
Mistake 04
The RFID chip must be programmed with the data structure the ERP or WMS expects: the product code, the serial number, the batch. If the encoding is not defined before conversion, integration with the management system becomes difficult or fails. It needs to be defined from the start of the project.
Frequently asked questions
Reading up to 12 m. Standard in logistics, pallet traceability and vehicle access control.
EPC Gen2 / ISO 18000-63Short distances — up to 1 metre. Standard in NFC and applications with higher security or with liquids.
ISO 15693The choice depends on the required reading distance, the environment and the specific application.
Metal surfaces absorb and reflect radio waves, disrupting the performance of a standard RFID label's antenna. An On-Metal label incorporates an insulating layer between the antenna and the metal surface that protects the electromagnetic field and allows reading on steel, aluminium and any conductive surface. It is the right solution for metal pallets, machinery, pipes, tools and vehicles.
96-bit EPC memory (unique 24-digit hexadecimal code). Optionally, user memory of up to 512 bits or more on premium chips.
User memories from 512 bytes to several kilobytes depending on the chip selected.
Data is programmed during the conversion process or on site with an RFID encoder.
The chip's encoding configuration must be defined before production to guarantee correct integration with the system.
Yes. The Smart Label combines an RFID chip with its inlay and a visible printed face on a single label. That face can include a 1D barcode, DataMatrix, QR code, text and a logo. It is the usual transition solution for facilities still operating with barcode readers that want to bring in RFID gradually.
We define the complete technical specification — inlay by frequency and environment, face material, adhesive and printing with variable data if required — and manage the conversion process from start to finish. We include a pilot test before final production.
Yes. Before any production run, we can send inlays or finished RFID labels so you can validate the reading distance, frequency and behaviour on the real substrate or packaging. This is the standard step in RFID projects, since performance varies depending on the environment and the face material.
Other automatic identification applications
Contact
Tell us about the application, the surface, the reading distance and the integration with your management system. We will help you define the right solution and validate it with a pilot test before implementation.