M-Chem and TAGBASE Launch NFC Pilot for High-Purity Alumina Samples

We are excited to announce a new pilot project between M-Chem and TAGBASE, combining sustainable material innovation with secure digital product identities.

M-Chem is an Austrian startup specializing in 4N and 5N high-purity alumina (HPA). This critical material is used in applications such as lithium-ion batteries, semiconductors and high-performance ceramics. Using its patented technology, M-Chem produces HPA from locally sourced aluminium waste through a process designed for sustainable and scalable European production.

The first stage: securing product samples

The pilot will initially focus on M-Chem’s approximately one-kilogram sample containers.

Each sample will be equipped with an NXP NTAG 424 DNA. Before dispatch, an authorized M-Chem employee will connect the NFC tag to the corresponding lot number and, optionally, the production date and time.

When customers tap the tag with their smartphones, they can:

• Verify that the sample is genuine
• Access the correct lot-specific information
• View analyses, certificates and other documents

No dedicated app or specialized reader is required.

Benefits for customers and M-Chem

Customers receive a convenient way to confirm the authenticity and integrity of a sample while immediately accessing the correct documentation. This reduces the risk of outdated or incorrectly assigned certificates and creates greater confidence in the material they receive.

For M-Chem, the solution creates a secure connection between each physical sample and its digital information. It can also provide visibility into when samples are scanned and — if approved by the customer — where a scan occurred.

The NFC tag is not a live-tracking device. Information is generated only when someone actively scans it.

Preparing for the next stage

The pilot will test the entire process under real-world conditions, from tag configuration and lot assignment to verification and document access.

Following a successful first stage, the solution could be extended to M-Chem’s regular 25-kilogram sacks, using secure NFC tags to verify product authenticity and provide lot-specific information.

We look forward to working with Bernhard Müller and the M-Chem team to bring greater transparency, security and trust to high-purity materials.