Toppan Printing Co., Ltd. (hereafter Toppan Printing; head office: Chiyoda Ward, Tokyo; President & CEO: Naoki Adachi) has developed "Flexible RF Tags" that have both flexibility and excellent resistance to water and high temperatures. From early September 2009 sales were launched for 2 different products that respond to user needs. These are a Flexible UHF Tag (strip-type) and a Flexible HF Tag (coin-type).
For these products, Toppan Printing has adopted special EPDM rubber used for windscreen wipers for the exterior (sealing) material. Using an original antenna design technology, flexibility and durability have been achieved while maintaining the same communication distances as previous RF Tags of the same frequencies.
It is envisaged that the "Flexible UHF Tag (strip-type)" will be used for attachment to flexible packaging such as flexible container bags used for transporting goods in the logistics sector. The main application of the "Flexible HF Tag (coin-type)" is expected to be management of items such as uniforms and linen.

Topleft: Flexible UHF Tag (strip-type) / Bottom left: Flexible HF Tag (coin-type) / Right: Flexible RF Tag Copyright 2009 TOPPAN PRINTING CO., LTD.

Background
- The use of RF tags is anticipated for various fields such as goods management, logistics management and process management, and the number of actual cases of use is increasing.
- Because the performance of RF tags is influenced by the material of the goods to which they are attached and the transportation conditions (humidity and temperature), it has become necessary to develop different RF tags according to how they are used.
- Toppan Printing has envisaged the use of tags attached to flexible goods and developed a "Flexible UHF Tag (strip-type)" and "Flexible HF Tag (coin-type)", new products with which the RF tag itself is flexible and durable.

- Use of the Flexible UHF Tag (strip-type) is anticipated in the field of logistics
In the field of logistics, when UHF band RF tags are attached to flexible logistics packing materials such as flexible container bags made from chemical fibers, there have been problems with traditional non-flexible RF tags such as the tags peeling off or breaking.
To solve this problem Toppan Printing has developed Flexible UHF Tag (strip-type) that are flexible and have strong durability to external use.
- Use of the Flexible HF Tag (coin-type) is anticipated for the management of linen and uniforms
In the management of linen and uniforms, resistance to heat, pressure and chemicals is required to enable industrial cleaning. Therefore, traditionally tags have used hard resins to protect the exteriors and ensure resistance to pressure but since they are not flexible there is discomfort when clothes are worn.
To overcome this problem, Toppan Printing has developed compact Flexible HF Tag (coin-type) that are made from a flexible material but have the durability required for industrial cleaning.

Product lineup
1) Flexible UHF Tag (strip-type)
Features
- Compliant with the "EPCglobal Class-1 Generation-2" international standard specifications
- In addition to the exterior (EPDM), an antenna design has been employed that has optimal characteristics for the Japanese transmission frequency (953MHz+-1MHz)
- Laser marking is possible on the exterior
Specifications
- Form: Provided in a resin sealed form to improve resistance to the environment
- Size: Vertical: 20.0 Horizontal: 90.0 Thickness: 1.2(mm)
- Durability when bent: Resistant to being bent 180 degrees 2000 times (*Toppan Printing measurement)
Anticipated use
Use for logistics material management and construction material management via attachment to externally used logistics packing materials made from flexible materials such as flexible container bags.

2) Flexible HF Tag (coin-type)
Features
- Compliant with international standards (ISO15693)
- In addition to the exterior (EPDM), an antenna design has been employed that has optimal characteristics for transmission
- Ultra-thin, compact shape
Specifications
- Form: Provided in a resin sealed form to improve resistance to the environment
- Size: Coin shape Diameter: 26 mm Thickness: 1.0(mm)
- Durability when bent: Resistant to being bent 180 degrees 2000 times (*Toppan Printing measurement)
Anticipated use
- Management of uniforms and linen products

Price
200 yen per tag when 10,000 tags are ordered

Sales target
Annual sales of 100 million yen

Future developments
Sales will be promoted targeting use of the UHF Flexible UHF Tag (strip-type) for flexible logistics packing materials and use of the Flexible HF Tag (coin-type) for uniforms and linen products.
Toppan Printing will further enhance its lineup of RF tag products and respond to diverse needs.

* These products will be displayed in the Toppan Group booth at Auto-ID Expo 2009 (Organizer: Japan Automatic Identification Systems Association; Venue: Tokyo Big Sight) held from Wednesday September 16 to Friday September 18, 2009.