• Chinook is an innovative response which, thanks to its design and functionality, contributes significantly to boosting the circular economy, integrating advanced technology and food safety.
• This inlay is a rugged and reliable solution for reusable and microwaveable food packaging, a unique feature that allows for repeated use without affecting food safety and RFID functionality.

Checkpoint Systems, global leader company in RFID/RF-driven solutions, is now offering an innovative RFID inlay designed specifically for reusable food packaging, providing microwave safety and resistance whilst improving traceability in the supply chain. The solution—Chinook—is an important bridge between sustainability and innovation, especially to address the environmental challenges facing the industry.

Waste packaging is a major global environmental challenge, which has led to the implementation of strict regulations in countries around the world. European Union (EU) is leading the way with its Packaging Directive, which aims to require all packaging on the market to be reusable or recyclable by 2030, setting milestones to be achieved by 2025. In addition, from January 2030, single-use plastic packaging will be banned for certain types of packaging.

Against this background, companies are facing increasing pressure to adopt sustainable solutions. Chinook inlay comes as an innovative response which, through its design and functionality, makes a decisive contribution to the circular economy, integrating advanced technology and food safety.

Pioneering Solution

Checkpoint Systems’ Chinook inlay, for which patent protection is being sought, stands out as a rugged and reliable solution for reusable and microwaveable food packaging. The innovative design has a unique feature that allows for repeated use without compromising food safety or RFID functionality.

Certified by European EPC Competence Center (EECC) official tests, Chinook inlay’s performance remained stable, maintaining more than 50 percent of its maximum read range, after 45 microwave cycles under the tests’ predetermined conditions. “Overall, the Chinook tag from Checkpoint has proven to be a robust and reliable transponder, making it well -suited for applications requiring frequent microwave exposure while ensuring consistent RFID performance,” wrote EECC officials.

In addition, Chinook is standards-compliant and suitable for microwave use and indirect food contact, offering confidence and peace of mind to consumers and businesses, even under demanding conditions.

In terms of sustainability, this inlay promotes the circular economy, reducing waste by being reusable in multiple cycles. Its traceability and visibility in the supply chain enables efficient tracking of products from their origin to the final consumer. Finally, its flexibility makes it suitable for different types of reusable packaging, including plastic and glass, providing ideal solutions for fresh, frozen and prepared foods.

Use Cases

Chinook inlay is seen as a perfect solution for restaurants, supermarkets and food service sectors that are betting on reusable containers.

Chinook is ideally suited to a wide range of use cases, offering key benefits in sectors such as processed food production, where it enables full traceability throughout the product life cycle. In supermarkets and retail chains, its innovative design is ideal for improving the management of fresh, pre-cooked and bulk products, optimizing operational efficiency.

Likewise, in restaurants and catering services, Chinook inlay is positioned as an indispensable solution for fast food chains, delivery services and mass events, providing more efficient inventory control and reusable packaging.

Wherever reusable packaging needs to be tracked, Chinook could be the perfect partner to ensure seamless operations and sustainability.