Hitachi Industrial Equipment Systems Co., Ltd. (HIES) has unveiled its innovative food quality visualization solution, featuring time-temperature sensing ink. This state-of-the-art ink changes color based on time and temperature, offering a simple and cost-effective approach to quality monitoring in the supply chain. The solution requires no power or retrieval, streamlining the management of temperature-sensitive products, enhancing product value, and reducing waste.
Revolutionizing Temperature Control in the Supply Chain
Maintaining precise temperature control is crucial, especially for fresh produce and perishable goods. Traditional solutions like temperature loggers are often expensive and cumbersome to use. Hitachi’s time-temperature sensing ink provides a practical alternative, delivering visual indicators of accumulated temperature over time. This innovation empowers growers, wholesalers, and retailers to optimize storage and shipment decisions, improving transparency across the supply chain.
How the Solution Works
The system consists of a label printed with time-temperature sensing ink and a companion quality visualization app. The label, which is affixed to products, features a two-dimensional code that tracks elapsed time and temperature data. By scanning the code using the app, users can access key information, such as accumulated temperature exposure, product ripeness, and the ideal time for consumption.
Proven Effectiveness
In a demonstration using melons, the time-temperature sensing ink exhibited temperature tracking accuracy on par with traditional loggers. Additionally, the app successfully predicted ripeness, enabling stakeholders to make informed decisions, reduce waste, and ensure optimal product quality.
About Hitachi Industrial Equipment Systems
Part of the Hitachi Group’s commitment to social innovation, Hitachi Industrial Equipment Systems is dedicated to creating a sustainable society through data-driven technologies. Operating under the “Connected Industries” initiative, the company offers industrial products and services such as air compressors, power distribution transformers, and motors. Guided by the mission “Leading a Sustainable Future,” Hitachi Industrial Equipment Systems aims to solve societal challenges with eco-friendly, high-efficiency, and digitally connected products.
