Stora Enso has introduced two new RFID-based technologies to improve convenience and traceability through supply chains.

‘Intelligent Pulp’ is intended as an option to unlock ‘hidden value’ in the pulp value chain, which Stora Enso identifies as previously having been inhibited by a lack of visibility and unit-level traceability.

The Intelligent Pulp system features:

    • Paper-based, repulpable and water-soluble Eco bale RFID tags;
    • A pulp industry specific Hammer system consisting of the Hammer Central Unit, off-the-shelf industrial-grade label applicator and RFID accessories;
    • Pre-designed and tested Sonar Readpoints for clamp trucks, gate reading points and more; and
    • Bridge Middleware and Cloud, consisting of software components to fully capture, store and leverage the data.

With the new Intelligent Pulp offer from Stora Enso Intelligent Packaging, companies are said to now be able to achieve full traceability across the pulp value chain, unlocking value for producers, transporters, warehouse operators and consumers. Benefits from increased data availability, visibility and transparency are identified throughout the value chain. ‘The more the supply chain becomes integrated, the more benefits there will be,’ noted Stora Enso.

For retail environments, ‘Intelligent Cabinets’ have been developed in partnership with digital transformation company Atos to bring new automated retail options and services to market. This revolves around RFID-enabled e-kiosks – Intelligent Cabinets – designed for on-the-go purchasing using smartphones or standard card payment.

The partnership commercialises ‘New Retail as a Service’, by coupling Stora Enso’s technologies, and the service delivery experience and methodology of Atos. This merges in-store and online shopping, and relies on RFID tags to track and trace stored items. These tags are paper-based, providing a plastic-free and recyclable option for packaging authentication.

To buy a product from a connected cabinet, the consumer only needs a compatible payment app or payment card. When the cabinet door is closed, the consumer is charged via the app for the items taken out. Apart from this service, a back-end system is offered to retailers for keeping track of transactions or replenishment.

The Atos digital services for retail and manufacturing will be used to enhance the system. These are based on Codex for Retail, a modular portfolio of technologies and services for connected retail services with IoT functionality, underpinned by end-to-end services. This establishes a full new set of digital business services for retail with strong capability for scaling, driving clear business value and bringing clients out of the ‘pilot trap’.

Martin Ros, head of Stora Enso Intelligent Packaging, said, ‘While retail is aiming at convenience and efficiency all at once, we drive innovations to combine the localisation of brick and mortar with digitalisation. With our partnership with Atos, we are entering the automated new retail market, where our sustainable RFID technology can bring the unmanned consumer experience to the next level.’

Philippe Miltin, group senior vice president, and head of manufacturing, retail and transport at Atos, added, ‘For any retail company and consumer goods brand, the topics of sustainability, product control and consumer experience are key values for their point of sales. Combining the Stora Enso smart tracking solutions with Atos’ Codex enablement and end-to-end service management, we jointly ensure that customers experience these values every time.’