Counterfeiters foiled with 'chemical barcode'

A new Australian technology – known as DataTraceDNA – is leading the way in the secure authentication and identification of commercial and bulk products.

DataTraceDNA incorporates unique patterns of indelible microparticles into the molecular structure of materials and products. The microparticles, invisible to the naked eye, can be easily read like a chemical barcode with a hand-held portable field reader.

The chemical barcode is enormously complex, making it extremely difficult for counterfeiters to reproduce. Additionally, as the technology is incorporated into the materials and products, it cannot be removed, masked or altered.

Developed by CSIRO Molecular and Health Technologies and DataDot Technology, DataTrace DNA has applications in process and logistics control, inventory control, quality control, and for establishing the authenticity of products and materials.

The technology has proved so promising that CSIRO and DataDot have formed a 50/50 joint venture company, DataTraceDNA, to market and further develop DataTraceDNA.

The new company is initially focusing on incorporating the technology into cement, timber, explosives, adhesives, paint, packaging, polymers, chemicals and pharmaceutical packaging.