Bayer unveils new security cap for crop protection range

Bayer has started rolling out a third-generation of its CapSeal, used to protect its crop protection products from counterfeiting.

CapSeal is based on the Trustseal technology developed by Leonhard Kurz Stiftung & Co and features various visual security features and a QR code. Scanning the code using smartphone app "gives the user important information about the authenticity of the product," according to Bayer.

The camera on a smartphones is used to read the QR code on the CapSeal, and the code is compared with a database to confirm its authenticity or otherwise within a matter of seconds. If the code cannot be clearly authenticated and confirmed, the product is most likely counterfeit. In that case, the customer can contact a Bayer employee directly by e-mail via the app.

The proportion of counterfeit products in the crop protection market has increased globally, says the company. A 2015 study commissioned by the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Health and Food Safety estimated that 10 per cent of all crop protection products in Europe are fake.

"By protecting our packaging with a special seal, we allow farmers to benefit by obtaining confirmation of the authenticity of the product in a smooth and easy way," said the company.

"Moreover a broken CapSeal indicates that the bottle has already been opened and should not be bought."

The CapSeal is currently being rolled out at all of Bayer’s European production sites for crop protection products.

"Bayer is working with farmers, retailers and the authorities to resolutely tackle product counterfeiting," said Hans-Joachim Henn, global head of anti-counterfeit management at Bayer.

"Innovative packaging technologies like the Trustseal visual security element … provide users with important information about the authenticity of Bayer products and thus help prevent the use of counterfeit products."