Sun Chemical forms alliance to develop brand protection inks

Sun Chemical Group and InkSure Technologies Inc., a developer of covert encoded-ink authentication solutions, have announced the launch of a strategic marketing alliance. The two companies will offer machine-readable ink-based brand and document authentication solutions under the SunSure brand name.

SunSure’s underlying concept is the use of “encoded ink” - ink embedded with unique signature codes - in the printing of documents, product packaging, etc., and the ability to “sense” the ink using low-cost optical readers. InkSure’s proprietary reader technology can be incorporated into a variety of devices as required by specific applications, ranging from low-cost, hand-held readers, all the way to high-speed production-line devices.

According to the terms of the contract, the two companies will cooperate in joint-marketing activities and related development and customization efforts. InkSure will be able to use a number of Sun Chemical’s relevant R&D and operational capabilities for customization and development work.

Commenting on the alliance, Richard Pettifor, group managing director and corporate VP for Sun Chemical, said: ‘Our long search for the best machine-readable solution available and extensive evaluation have convinced us that InkSure’s extraordinary technology has the potential to revolutionize the authentication market.’

Yaron Meerfeld, CEO of InkSure Technologies, said: ‘We are proud to partner with one of the industry’s major forces to fight one of the market’s most serious unsolved problems. This agreement is a watershed opportunity for InkSure that will help us achieve broad industry awareness and a substantially increased user base. We have begun joint marketing activities, and are encouraged by early reactions from evaluation trials at the sites of potential customers.’