The ITL Group has announced a partnership with Applied DNA Sciences to marry Applied DNA’s revolutionary SigNature DNA forensic marking system with ITL’s printed fabric care labels.
The partnership is aimed at supporting global apparel and footwear brands and retailers in their on-going battle against product counterfeiters. Applied DNA has demonstrated feasibility of SigNature DNA forensic authentication and Beacon optical screening technology integrated with ITL’s wet ink solution for fabric care labels, creating a multi-layer anti-counterfeit solution.
The technology is intended to be applied to printed fabric labels (PFL), either via the supply of a stand-alone PFL or through integration of their existing washcare labels. Further testing and development is required to validate through the product lifecycle prior to general market availability, with an interest by ITL to conduct further trials on their range of heat transfer labels.
A solution is expected to launch in the near future. ITL’s European Sales and Marketing Director, Simon Phelps commented. “Counterfeiting continues to be one of the most significant problems within our industry and accounts for around 10% of global GDP.
“The growth of on-line pop-up’s selling full price fakes has only exacerbated the issue in recent years and new research has shown that now for every one consumer who knowingly buys a counterfeit product, there are another 30 or so who purchase unwittingly.”
Applied DNA designs and formulates the DNA with Beacon-encrypted fluorescence in ITL ink at their US Laboratories. The botanically-derived DNA delivers 100% individuality, forming the basis of unquestionable evidence of authenticity for any brand seeking to bring a prosecution against a found counterfeiter of labels.
Whilst the SigNature DNA authenticity tests can be verified forensically in the field or on site or in the Applied DNA laboratories, the integration of Beacon technology provides the means for brands to conduct their own ‘rapid read’ checks on suspected items in the field.
“What excites us most about our solution is that whilst the application of Applied DNA’s SigNature DNA makes it completely secure and uniquely identifiable, the breakthrough is in the Beacon which is completely hidden until it’s unlocked by the reaction to the chemicals built into the swab,” stated Simon Phelps.
A proprietary chemical compound placed within the ink, which is completely invisible under normal or ultraviolet lighting conditions illuminates only when rubbed with a specific swab device that will be supplied by ITL to the brands.
This reaction produces the ‘Beacon’ illumination effect on the end of the swab which is then detected when shone with a UV torch. In effect, a ‘lock and key’ solution is created for field screening of the SigNature DNA mark to support forensic DNA authentication conducted remotely.
“As a result, brand inspectors are able to make quick checks without receiving unwanted attention and can tell instantly if the product is marked with SigNature DNA. The beauty of the solution is that whilst the science behind it makes it the most credible anti-counterfeit application available, the cost of integrating it into a printing process is relatively low and therefore makes it immediately affordable for a brand to implement.” added Simon Phelps.
Tony Benson, Applied DNA Managing Director, EMEA agrees “We have perfected the capabilities of our SigNature DNA and Beacon technologies for a wide range of authentication applications in print and packaging and we are delighted to partner with ITL on this project as it adds yet one more tool to help protect consumer goods in a cost effective, globally available solution. ITL’s capabilities in that regard are class leading."
