Discover your next big idea at PACK EXPO Las Vegas this September
Experience a breakthrough in packaging & processing and transform your business with solutions from 2,300 suppliers spanning all industries.
REGISTER NOW & SAVE

RFID tags metal beer kegs

REPORTING FROM PACK EXPO: Metal-iTag™, a new metal asset tracking solution from Marconi's InfoChain div. (Wood Dale, IL), was displayed on empty beer kegs at its booth. Marconi’s Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology offers real-time product identification. Metal-iTag is currently being beta tested with all major brewers nationwide, according to Marconi.

Pw 18221 11marconi

Although company officials admit that RFID technology costs two to five times more than bar code labels, which are now used for metal asset tracking, Marconi lists many benefits of RFID tracking.

The company states that bar codes can be tampered with, handle less information and need to be manually scanned. Marconi says its RFID tag is permanently affixed, and can handle 100 alphanumeric characters. Further, multiple kegs can be "scanned" automatically without requiring a line-of-sight.

The scanner automatically transmits data to the user's enterprise resource planning (ERP) system. This wireless data capture can be read at a distance of up to three meters with the 915-MHz scanner.

Marconi claims the Metal-iTag is 99% reliable for tracking metal containers, such as beer kegs throughout the distribution process. It is applied inside the beer keg chime so it can not be readily seen or tampered with.

Break out of the ordinary: see what’s new in packaging & processing!
At PACK EXPO Las Vegas, you’ll see machinery in action and new tech from 2,300 suppliers, collaborate with experts and explore transformative solutions. Join us this September to experience a breakthrough in packaging and processing.
REGISTER NOW AND SAVE
Break out of the ordinary: see what’s new in packaging & processing!
Annual Outlook Report: Workforce
Hiring remains a major challenge in packaging, with 78% struggling to fill unskilled roles and 84% lacking experienced workers. As automation grows, companies must rethink hiring and training. Download the full report for key insights.
Download Now
Annual Outlook Report: Workforce