Final Report Summary - SFERA (Sub-surface fast internal engraving and reading system for anticounterfeiting applications)
1.1 Executive summary
SFERA is a successful, two-year long project in the area of laser-marking technology. It is pan-European in practice, as nine companies from four countries were involved, and it is global in reach, as its results can be used by companies throughout the world.
The objective of the project was to develop a new laser-marking system that addressed all issues related to the marking of containers, their flow through production processes, and effective traceability and anti-counterfeit measures.
These issues include: marking containers without subsequent micro-cracks or contamination; readable marks enabling proper and rapid redirection of containers in production; identifying products throughout the supply chain; authenticating products to reduce the risk of counterfeit products entering the market.
SFERA developed a laser-marking system that has been proven to resolve all of these issues. Target markets are the industries of: pharmaceutics; cosmetics and perfumes; luxury goods; beverage; automotive; photovoltaic modules.
1.2 Project description
SFERA is a co-operative research project of the Seventh Framework Program of the European Union, involving nine SMEs from four countries. The SFERA project created a complete traceability and anti-counterfeiting solution by developing a new sub-surface, fast internal engraving and reading system suitable for anti-counterfeiting applications. Counterfeiting is a major global problem, with important societal and economic consequences, including the expansion of organized crime, loss of jobs and tax revenues, as well as serious health and safety risks. SFERA builds on the successful Naginels project, supported by the European Commission under the Sixth Framework Programme.
1.3 work carried out and results
The engraving system developed during the SFERA project builds on a number of breakthrough technologies, to provide marking speeds suitable for the needs of the pharmaceutical industry, as well as applications requiring large area processing. Among the components specifically developed during the project are:
- a new high average power ultrafast laser
- a high speed, portable reading system
- a high speed beam delivery system.
- a high speed handling system.
- a specific process control and encryption model.
These components have been integrated in an industrial workstation, compatible with the requirements of the pharmaceutical industry.
The partners involved in the project are Trackinside, a Belgian company specialised in the marking of transparent materials for traceability and anti-counterfeiting markets, UK based Total Brand Security, Italian brand protection company Solos, French printing and engraving company Costet, French laser company Amplitude Systemes, Belgian laser application company LASEA, industrial integrator KST, mechanical engineering company EVILO, and French technology center Alphanov. In addition, an industrial advisory board, comprising major actors of the pharmaceutical industry, is associated with the project.
For cosmetic and decoration applications, we benefit from a patented diffractive effect which combines anti-counterfeiting, traceability and a surprising rainbow pattern in the mark. During the project, an additional result achieved was the possibility of marking readable codes in reflexion, easing the integration of the process on production lines, and expanding market opportunities.
1.4 Impact
Current anticounterfeiting techniques for the primary package (syringe, vial, etc.) are not appropriate to fight against this counterfeiting issue. Inkjet techniques are easily erasable; RFID tags can be erased or altered; classic laser techniques (Excimer, CO2 or YAG) induce microcracks on the surface or inside the material. The only technology available on the market to fulfil these quality requirements is the Naginels technology. This technology has been recognised as a 'best practice for anti-counterfeiting issues'.
SFERA is a successful, two-year long project in the area of laser-marking technology. It is pan-European in practice, as nine companies from four countries were involved, and it is global in reach, as its results can be used by companies throughout the world.
The objective of the project was to develop a new laser-marking system that addressed all issues related to the marking of containers, their flow through production processes, and effective traceability and anti-counterfeit measures.
These issues include: marking containers without subsequent micro-cracks or contamination; readable marks enabling proper and rapid redirection of containers in production; identifying products throughout the supply chain; authenticating products to reduce the risk of counterfeit products entering the market.
SFERA developed a laser-marking system that has been proven to resolve all of these issues. Target markets are the industries of: pharmaceutics; cosmetics and perfumes; luxury goods; beverage; automotive; photovoltaic modules.
1.2 Project description
SFERA is a co-operative research project of the Seventh Framework Program of the European Union, involving nine SMEs from four countries. The SFERA project created a complete traceability and anti-counterfeiting solution by developing a new sub-surface, fast internal engraving and reading system suitable for anti-counterfeiting applications. Counterfeiting is a major global problem, with important societal and economic consequences, including the expansion of organized crime, loss of jobs and tax revenues, as well as serious health and safety risks. SFERA builds on the successful Naginels project, supported by the European Commission under the Sixth Framework Programme.
1.3 work carried out and results
The engraving system developed during the SFERA project builds on a number of breakthrough technologies, to provide marking speeds suitable for the needs of the pharmaceutical industry, as well as applications requiring large area processing. Among the components specifically developed during the project are:
- a new high average power ultrafast laser
- a high speed, portable reading system
- a high speed beam delivery system.
- a high speed handling system.
- a specific process control and encryption model.
These components have been integrated in an industrial workstation, compatible with the requirements of the pharmaceutical industry.
The partners involved in the project are Trackinside, a Belgian company specialised in the marking of transparent materials for traceability and anti-counterfeiting markets, UK based Total Brand Security, Italian brand protection company Solos, French printing and engraving company Costet, French laser company Amplitude Systemes, Belgian laser application company LASEA, industrial integrator KST, mechanical engineering company EVILO, and French technology center Alphanov. In addition, an industrial advisory board, comprising major actors of the pharmaceutical industry, is associated with the project.
For cosmetic and decoration applications, we benefit from a patented diffractive effect which combines anti-counterfeiting, traceability and a surprising rainbow pattern in the mark. During the project, an additional result achieved was the possibility of marking readable codes in reflexion, easing the integration of the process on production lines, and expanding market opportunities.
1.4 Impact
Current anticounterfeiting techniques for the primary package (syringe, vial, etc.) are not appropriate to fight against this counterfeiting issue. Inkjet techniques are easily erasable; RFID tags can be erased or altered; classic laser techniques (Excimer, CO2 or YAG) induce microcracks on the surface or inside the material. The only technology available on the market to fulfil these quality requirements is the Naginels technology. This technology has been recognised as a 'best practice for anti-counterfeiting issues'.
