In the Scantrust R&D center in Lausanne, scattered on desks and pinned on walls, you’ll find anti-counterfeit labels, stickers, holograms, and QR codes from all over the world – evidence of over a decade spent analyzing both traditional and emerging anti-counterfeiting technologies. We often get asked about the different technologies available to brands and governments seeking to incorporate anti-counterfeiting features into products and documents. Here we present a list of the key technologies and leading companies commercializing them. In 2021, the European Union Intellectual Property Office released a helpful report defining the key categories of anti-counterfeiting technologies. The below list of anti-counterfeiting technology companies builds off of the work by the EUIPO in that report by highlighting key companies with relevant solutions.

Key categories of anti-counterfeiting technology companies

The European Union Intellectual Property Office classifies anti-counterfeiting technology in 6 categories:

Electronic technologies
Marking technologies
Chemical and physical technologies
Mechanical technologies
Technologies for digital media
Shared ledger technologies (blockchain)

Each of these technologies is listed along with the names of companies that offer solutions in those categories and some key considerations. Though there are many vendors of the technologies which are not listed here, based on our experience researching and developing anti-counterfeiting technology, we chose companies which we believe are leaders in the field.

1. RFID & NFC (a.k.a. electronic technologies)

RFID tags and NFC devices are electronic tags that can also be used as anti-counterfeiting technologies. They use electronic signals for identification and authentication. Magnetic strip, contact chip, and RFID and NFC solution providers often sell into industries where secure transactions and identity verification are important. NFC readers usually must come within at least ten centimeters of the tag to be able to read them, unless special antennas are used. There are also different kinds of NFC tags – passive and active – which have different properties. RFID tags are especially suited for use cases that involve reading many tags at once, even up to hundreds of items. Use cases for RFID & NFC tags: RFID tags are often integrated into adhesive labels for clothing items. Information stored by the RFID and NFC tags is retrieved with a reading device, even a mobile phone, for example.

When there’s a requirement for quick transfer of text information, up to 8,000 bytes.
When an individual item or tag will be accessed repeatedly, such as at a point of sale or identity documents.
When many items need to be read at once, many passive RFID tags can be read simultaneously, even without direct line of sight.

Companies specializing in RFID-based anti-counterfeiting technology:

Company: Impinj

Focus: Specializes in RFID technology for inventory management. They also offer an anti-counterfeiting solution. Main region: USA Known Clients: Coca-Cola, Macy’s Products: Speedway RFID readers, Monza RFID tags Advantages: Impinj is a an established innovator in RFID technology. They have specialized experience with applications in inventory management but have expanded into using RFID for anti-counterfeiting. Best for: Applications where the per unit cost of RFID is within budget and/or projects that require the use of RFID for supply chain and logistical purposes. Also appropriate when the authentication is limited to supply chain operators with a specific reader device. Learn more at www.impinj.com

Company: Avery Dennison

Provides RFID and NFC solutions for product authentication and supply chain tracking. Region: Global Known Clients: Decathlon, Marks & Spencer Products: AD-332u8 RFID tags, M730/750 series inlays Advantages: Avery Dennison offers one of the widest ranges of RFID and NFC solutions that integrate with packaging and labeling. They even offer a dual use RFID/NFC chip, RAINFC, that covers both tag types by operating on 2 frequencies. Best for: Applications with apparel and clothing where the RFID tag does double duty for logistics. Additional complexity and cost of integrating electronic solutions with existing systems needs to be acceptable. Learn more at www.averydennison.com

2. Marking technologies

Marking technologies include a varied set of techniques, such as machine readable codes, security holograms, ink-based authentication methods, and copy-detection patterns. Like other categories of anti counterfeit technology, marking tech can be combined to stack counterfeiting countermeasures. In practice, marking technologies are often used in conjunction with another anti counterfeiting solution. Tamper-evident labels are a good example of an opportunity for anti counterfeit feature stacking. Scantrust copy detection patterns, for example secure QR codes that are distinct from standard QR codes, are in this category. Use cases for marking technologies: When automotive or industrial components need to be marked, marking technology is useful. QR codes were first developed for this purpose so that an optical reader could quickly retrieve item information. Marking technology is frequently used for important documents and unique items The food and drink industry have many use cases for marking technologies. These include anything from a way to deliver marketing messages to being in compliance with the latest regulations. Companies specializing in marking-based anti-counterfeiting technology:

Company: Scantrust

Focus area: Expertise in using QR codes for various applications including compliance information and an enhanced secure QR code for anti-counterfeiting. Flexible offerings that can include other anti-counterfeiting systems such as anti-tampering (mechanical). Region: Europe, Middle East, African continent, East and Southeast Asia, U.S.A. Known Clients: Dupont, Motul, Exxon Mobil, Amway, Fortune 500 companies Products: Secure QR code, Intelligent Redirect Advantages: Works with existing product label and packaging printing systems. Can be authenticated without specialized equipment: a mobile phone with a camera and internet connection is sufficient. Best for: When the anti counterfeiting solution must work with existing printing and manufacturing processes. For projects where there is flexibility for authentication by end users, supply chain operators, and inspectors alike is needed. Also ideal when additional benefits, like traceability, consumer engagement and compliance, can be combined with and complement anti counterfeiting features. Learn more about Scantrust anti-counterfeiting solutions

Company: De La Rue

Focus area: Provides secure printing and holographic solutions for product authentication. Main region: U.K. and E.U. Known Clients: British government, central banks Products: Optiks™ security thread, Kinetic StarChrome® Advantages: Renowned for high-security printing and holographic solutions. Best for: Similar to SICPA, De La Rue anti counterfeiting options are designed for when centralized production or application of security tags is required or possible. Authentication is usually performed by inspectors, with a first-level overt (visual) authentication by end users. Learn more at www.delarue.com

Company: SICPA

Focus area: Known for security inks and marking solutions used in banknotes and product packaging. Main region: Switzerland, E.U. countries, the U.S. and other major regions. Known Clients: Various governments for currency security. Products: Security inks, SICPATRACE® Advantages: SICPA has recognized expertise in security inks and complex marking technologies. Their solutions are used in currency and secure documents. Best for: Applications where centralized production or application of security tags is required or possible. In the ideal situation for this anti counterfeiting technology, authentication is performed by inspectors, with a first-level overt (visual) authentication by consumers. Learn more at www.sicpa.com

3. Chemical and Physical Technologies

These technologies use chemical substances or physical properties to create unique markers. DNA coding, glue coding, and surface fingerprinting are all Chemical & Physical technologies. These markers often require specialized equipment or laboratory analysis for verification, making them highly secure but less practical for quick, on-site checks.   DNA coding and surface fingerprinting companies offering solutions like DNA coding and surface fingerprinting, which use biological and physical markers to secure and authenticate products, have the potential to have a bigger role among anti counterfeiting technology companies. For the time being however, these are bleeding edge. Use cases for chemical and physical anti-counterfeiting technologies:

For products that are sold at large enough volume, such as with agricultural commodities like rice or cotton, DNA coding type anti-counterfeiting implementation can be economically feasible. This isn’t quite a common use though and would likely make sense for government agencies or industry groups due to the scale and costs required to make it work.
Contrary to DNA coding, physically unique properties, such as those created by heating part of a product or its packaging, create a reliable way to detect uniqueness for items that have a high per-unit value due to the time required for a reliable implementation.

Companies specializing in chemical and physical anti-counterfeiting technology:

Company: Applied DNA Sciences

Focus area: Uses DNA-based markers to facilitate authentication of products. Region: USA Known Clients: Government agencies, textile manufacturers Products: SigNature® DNA, CertainT® Advantages: Unique DNA-based markers that are extremely difficult to replicate. Best for: When the security tags need to be covert and authentication can be done via lab analysis. Challenges: Requires laboratory analysis for verification, which can be time-consuming or not possible for some project requirements. Learn more at adnas.com

Company: AlpVision

Focus area: Offers digital invisible marking technologies for product protection. Region: Switzerland Known Clients: Pharmaceuticals, luxury goods manufacturers Products: Cryptoglyph®, Fingerprint™ Advantages: Invisible digital marking technologies that do not alter the appearance of the product. Best for: When the security tags need to be covert, integrate with existing production systems, and there is no end user involvement for authentication expected. Learn more at www.alpvision.com

4. Mechanical Technologies

Mechanical technologies focus on the physical properties of labels, seals, and security threads. A physical element is attached to the product visual device dependent authentication. Mechanical solutions typically incur some manufacturing or customisation cost but can be quickly implemented with minimal changes to existing production processes. Anti-alteration device suppliers make devices that are specifically designed to indicate when there are tampering attempts. These are the same kind of mechanisms used in anti-doping efforts such as in competitive sports by the company Lockon (link). Use cases for Mechanical technologies:

When a tamper evident device can be used, such as with laboratory items meant to be sealed and only opened once, the use case is ideal
When more than one form of anti-counterfeiting is needed, including the need to have tamper evidence. Mechanical technologies stack easily with other anti-counterfeiting solutions.

Company: TydenBrooks

Focus area: Provides security seals and tamper-evident solutions for various industries. Region: USA Known Clients: Logistics companies, government agencies Products: TydenSeal™, E-Z Loc® seals Advantages: Wide range of mechanical security seals and tamper-evident solutions. Best for: When anti counterfeiting on the product packaging alone is not sufficient and the product itself needs to be authenticated. This will be a good option if there is budget to cover this kind of stacked security, meaning that it is typically stacked, or combined, with a marking technology. Learn more at www.tydenbrooks.com

Company: 3M

Focus area: Produces a range of security labels and films designed to prevent tampering and counterfeiting. Region: Global Known Clients: Various industries Products: 3M™ Tamper-Evident Label Materials, 3M™ Scotchlite™ Reflective Material Advantages: Diverse portfolio of security labels and films with high durability. Best for: Similar to Tyden Brooks, when protecting the product packaging alone is not sufficient. So long as there is budget to cover the required extra cost, this protection can be afforded and is stacked for better results. Learn more at www.3m.com

5. Technologies for Digital Media

Anti-counterfeiting technologies for digital media include digital rights management (DRM) systems and automatic content recognition technologies such as digital watermarks, hashing, and fingerprinting. These methods embed or generate information within digital files to protect and identify intellectual property, making them effective against digital counterfeiting. Like the category title says, these are for digital media and aren’t appropriate for preventing counterfeiting of physical items. Digital watermarking, rights management, and hashing solution providers work with some of the biggest digital media companies in the world. Use cases for digital media anti-counterfeiting:

Tracking creative content access such as media files or documents
For time sensitive material, such as the release of media for critical review as demonstrated by the Oscars in their distribution of film files to award judges

Company: Digimarc

Focus area: Specializes in digital watermarking solutions for brand protection and anti-counterfeiting. Region: Primarily in the United States Known Clients: Retailers, media companies Products: Digimarc Barcode, Digimarc Discover Advantages: Advanced digital watermarking solutions that integrate seamlessly with digital content. They also offer solutions for authenticating physical items where most companies only offer physical item anti counterfeiting or digital product solutions. Best for: Digital images or files that are part of a regular copyright infringement. Learn more at www.digimarc.com

Company: Verimatrix

Focus area: Provides digital rights management (DRM) solutions to protect digital media content. Region: USA Known Clients: Broadcasters, content providers Products: Verimatrix VCAS™, Verimatrix Watermarking Advantages: Robust DRM solutions providing strong protection for digital media. Best for: Video content anti-piracy. Learn more at www.verimatrix.com

6. Shared Ledger Technologies

Shared ledger technologies, like blockchain, provide a decentralized way to record and verify transactions and histories. This is used to create a history, or ledger, of movement throughout the supply chain. The desire when using shared ledger technologies is to make it easier to detect and prevent counterfeiting by being able to check for any inconsistencies in a public ledger. This can be integrated with other anti-counterfeiting measures.   Companies offering blockchain-based solutions that provide a decentralized ledger typically try to make the point that shared ledgers can be integrated with other technologies to improve anti-counterfeiting efforts. Use cases for shared ledger technologies:

When a strict no-changes allowed record of digital information needs to be kept but also accessible to anyone. This can apply to any industry or physical item as well as any digital file.

Companies who provide shared ledger technology for anti counterfeiting:

Company: Chronicled

Focus area: Provides blockchain-based solutions for supply chain and anti-counterfeiting purposes. Region: USA Known Clients: Pharmaceutical companies, logistics firms Products: MediLedger Network, Chronicled Custody Advantages: Comprehensive blockchain solutions for supply chain transparency and anti-counterfeiting. Challenges: Adoption can be challenging due to the need for widespread industry cooperation. Learn more at www.chronicled.com

Top anti counterfeit companies

When searching for “top anti-counterfeiting companies” to find a provider, keep in mind that rankings and reviews often emphasize market presence, innovation, and size rather than suitability for a specific application. Some anti counterfeiting vendors might be a great fit in certain industries or regions but they may not offer solutions that a more specialized firm could provide. Another key consideration is customer service. Some providers offer a less personalized customer experience due to the kind of solution they offer or just the way they do business. Consider not just the technology but their level of service, including their experience delivering that technology for your use case – and of course, delivering results. Best of luck! And as always, Scantrust is happy to discuss your anti-counterfeiting needs in more detail.