Texas Instruments and Smurfit-Stone Demonstrate EPC Gen 2 Strap-on-Box Application at RFID World 2006

DALLAS, Feb. 28 /PRNewswire/ -- Texas Instruments Incorporated (TI) and Smurfit-Stone Container Corporation , the industry's leading integrated manufacturer of paperboard and paper-based packaging, are demonstrating the first Electronic Product Code(TM) (EPC) Generation 2 (Gen 2) radio frequency identification (RFID) strap-on-box prototypes at RFID World 2006, in Dallas, at the Texas Instruments booth #701.

Using TI's Tag-it(TM) EPC Gen 2 Strap, Smurfit-Stone Container Corporation has developed an innovative process for attaching Gen 2 straps to printed antennas directly on a corrugated box. The company is introducing its technology to consumer products goods (CPGs) manufacturers applying Gen 2 technology to cases for supply chain tracking applications.

"TI's Gen 2 straps are a key component in Smurfit-Stone Container Corporation's RFID development and testing program. We are committed to offering RFID enabled packaging solutions to our CPG customers," said Dr. Joseph LeBlanc, vice-president, research and development, Smurfit-Stone Container Corporation.

"Speed and flexibility continue to be crucial for RFID tag assembly and converting process technology in the supply chain," said Tony Sabetti, director of UHF/Retail Supply Chain, Texas Instruments RFID Systems. "By staying focused on these two basic attributes for our strap technology, we'll continue to introduce innovations for packaging and smart label solutions that provide automation and scalability for CPGs deploying Gen 2 implementations."

Texas Instruments Tag-it(TM) EPC Gen 2 Straps consist of an integrated circuit and two conducting pads, which are connected to a conductive antenna printed on packaging materials or on the face of an adhesive label. Available in a dense, continuous reel-to-reel format for integration into packaging and label conversion production processes, TI's RFID Gen 2 straps provide increased flexibility and are designed for efficient high-speed, high-volume production.

For more information on TI's RFID technology solutions, please visit http://www.ti-rfid.com/ or call 1-800-962-RFID (7343) (North America) or +1 214-567-RFID (7343) (International).

About Texas Instruments

Texas Instruments is the world's largest integrated manufacturer of radio frequency identification (RFID) transponders and reader systems. Capitalizing on its competencies in high-volume semiconductor manufacturing and microelectronics packaging, TI is a visionary leader and at the forefront of establishing new markets and international standards for RFID applications. For more information, visit the Web site at http://www.ti.com/rfid .

Texas Instruments Incorporated provides innovative DSP and analog technologies to meet our customers' real world signal processing requirements. In addition to Semiconductor, the company's businesses include Sensors & Controls, and Educational & Productivity Solutions. TI is headquartered in Dallas, Texas and has manufacturing, design or sales operations in more than 25 countries. Texas Instruments is traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol TXN. More information is located on the World Wide Web at http://www.ti.com/ .

About Smurfit-Stone Container Corporation

Smurfit-Stone Container Corporation is the industry's leading integrated manufacturer of paperboard and paper-based packaging. Smurfit-Stone is a leading producer of containerboard, including white top linerboard and recycled medium; corrugated containers; point-of-purchase displays; multiwall and specialty bags; and clay-coated recycled boxboard; and is one of the world's largest collectors and marketers of recovered fiber. In addition, Smurfit-Stone is a leading producer of solid bleached sulfate, folding cartons, flexible packaging, and labels. The company operates approximately 250 facilities, located primarily in the U.S., Canada and Mexico, and employs approximately 35,000 people.

Trademarks

Tag-it is a trademark of Texas Instruments. All other trademarks and registered trademarks are property of their respective owners.