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These masterbatches, sold under the brand name AmpaTrace by masterbatch supplier Ampacet Corp. (Tarrytown, NY) are a means by which manufacturers can better protect against losses due to counterfeits. “Studies show that approximately 7 percent of products sold are counterfeit, and the lost profits in the US alone are $200 billion,” said Rich Novomeski, head of Ampacet’s business unit. in abundance.”
Ampacet is working with several vendors to develop molecular indicators, but does not disclose which ones. We have written about such trackers in the past, especially from Microtrace in the US and Polysecure in Germany. Previously used primarily in high-value or controlled products such as pharmaceuticals, medical devices, currency, agricultural products, and explosives, such indicators are now increasingly used in a variety of consumer and industrial products to prove trademark ownership, manufacturing batches, and evidence unauthorized access. .
Brand owners or processors can work with Ampacet to customize the AmpaTrace molecular profile for their packaging needs. Suppliers also offer analytical services to proactively identify molecular tracers in packaging at the store or factory level, if required.
The type, ratio, and concentration of certain compounds in these masterbatches can be varied to create a “product fingerprint” that can be measured visually, aurally, or using standard laboratory analytical instruments. AmpaTrace Molecular Indicators can include UV activated, ferromagnetic, infrared and other ingredients depending on the type of protection required.
“Manufacturers can use AmpaTrace IDs on their own or as part of a layered traceability system in combination with barcodes, digital labels, product labels and more,” Novomesky said. “In addition to detecting counterfeit products through legal action, this can help determine the origin of the ingredients in the package. It can also improve quality by making sure the package contains the correct colorant or Ampacet additive in the correct amount.”