Liz Claiborne has incorporated the Kodak Traceless system in an effort to track and authenticate its products through authorized distribution channels.
Traceless has been designed to be forensically invisible and is incorporated into the products packaging with no impact on the packaging material.
Launched last year, the system gives unique material properties to the packaging that are said to be only readable using Kodak tracing technology.
Technology can be incorporated into packaging material
In turn the patented tracer system can be mixed with inks, toners, varnishes, as well as paper pulp, plastics, powders, pigments, liquids and textiles.
Although the system has been integrated into a number of product applications for a wide variety of industries, the deal represents the first major agreement in the personal care and cosmetics segment.
"The value of the Liz Claiborne brand, both internationally and domestically, make it a prime target for counterfeiters," said William Zhou, manager of international operations for Liz Claiborne.
"We saw how the Kodak Traceless System could help us defend against our biggest threat to profit and brand erosion - grey market diversion," he added.
Brand-Protection Packaging Forum
Zhou gave a presentation about Liz Claiborne's experiences with the Kodak Traceless technology at the Brand-Protection Packaging Forum, held in Chicago yesterday.
Cosmetic products, particularly luxury brands are targeted by highly organized business syndicates that operate on a global basis.
Currently it is estimated that approximately $700bn worth of fast moving consumer goods are targeted by counterfeiters every year. Indeed EU officials estimate that 1.6 million counterfeit personal care and cosmetic products were seized in 2006 alone.
