RPCC Launches Largest RFID Test on Reusable Packaging

WASHINGTON, D.C. - After rigorous behind-the-scenes testing, the Reusable Pallet & Container Coalition (RPCC) here is presiding over the largest and most widely-supported industry field test to date of radio frequency identification (RFID) technology on reusable transport packaging.

The groundbreaking study is supported by a broad group of RPCC members and industry leaders that collectively represent every facet of the supply chain, including Tanimura and Antle, Stemilt, Wal-Mart, Frontera, The Kennedy Group, Avery Dennison, Alien, UPM Raflatac, Impinj, IFCO Systems, Georgia-Pacific, and ORBIS.

Currently, thousands of reusable containers with affixed RFID tags are being tested throughout the supply chain, from the wet and cold conditions of grower fields, to the rugged and repeated handling of distribution centers, and on to the retail environment. The larg- scale field trial comes on the heels of rigorous laboratory testing at Michigan State University School of Packaging

"There has never been an RFID-related field trial of this magnitude in the United States with so many key supply chain partners," said IFCO's Systems' Fred Heptinstall, who is also the RPCC's president. "The level of cooperation within the industry is truly remarkable. And if the field trial results mirror the data from the laboratory testing, we will prove unequivocally that reusables are the enabler to the cost-effective use of RFID technology."

During the laboratory trial, 230 reusable containers with nine different EPC-compliant, Gen 2 RFID tags were vigorously tested at Michigan State, while readability tests were conducted by a CalPoly scientist at a second laboratory and results were verified by third-party advisors. The project team performed more than 160 hours of testing and more than 14,000 tests. The three tags that performed optimally during the testing are currently being used in the field trial.

"The durability and readability of the RFID tags during the lab tests were superb," said Pat Kennedy of The Kennedy Group, and the RPCC project leader. "The information gathered from these studies will help businesses make data-driven decisions about the cost effectiveness and feasibility of incorporating reusable containers into their supply chains from an enhanced track and trace perspective."

In the field trial that is currently under way, the reusable containers with the multi-cycle RFID tags are being used in grower fields in Washington and California, where they are being subjected to mud, varying weather conditions, and rough handling in the field. From there, produce in the containers is shipped to Wal-Mart distribution centers, where the produce is cleaned and the containers and tags are subject to washing, further handling, refrigeration, and storage before being sent to retail stores. Eventually, the containers are collapsed and sent back through the supply chain for further cleaning, handling, and storage. Each container is going through a minimum of three cycles of use.

At the end of each cycle, the RFID tags are being tested for viability, then re-encoded for the next cycle. The six-month field trial is expected to end in spring 2008.

Upon completion of the field trial, the RPCC will develop an economic model for integrating RFID tags with reusable transport packaging. Quality Logistics Management (QLM), will collect and analyze the data, and present an industry white paper with the results.
X
This ad will auto-close in 10 seconds