RFID to Play Major Role in Chemicals

The U.S. electronic product code standards entity, EPC Global U.S., has rolled out a spreadsheet software tool that will allow chemicals manufacturers to make dollars-and-cents evaluations of how RFID can improve their operations and bottom line. "This is the dawn of a new opportunity for the chemicals industry, that's for sure," says Bob Celeste, an EPC Global U.S. official who has worked with about 20 chemicals companies including Dow, ExxonMobil and Rohm & Haas, to identify industry-specific needs and requirements for application of RFID technology. "This has the potential to change not only logistics in the chemicals industry but also bring improvements in moving product within the four walls of a facility, and it brings benefits in the production environment as well." The spreadsheet tool is called the EPC Value Model for chemicals. It will allow individual producers to determine the cost and value of RFID technology for specific business drivers such as operational efficiency, inventory management, hazmat handling, transport and feedstock costs and environmental regulations, according to Celeste.