Pairpoint, a blockchain-based trading venture jointly owned by Vodafone and Sumitomo Corporation, has formed a strategic partnership with Sensos, a pioneering provider of smart label technology that originated as a spin-off from Sony Semiconductor Israel. This collaboration aims to address the challenges of supply chain fraud by leveraging innovative solutions at the intersection of blockchain and IoT technology. By integrating Pairpoint’s “Economy of Things” platform with Sensos’ IoT tracking solution, they aim to enhance supply chain transparency and security. This collaboration is being tested by US-based logistics operator Unilog at sites in the US and Europe.
The partnership between Vodafone and Sumitomo, announced in 2023, aims to offer automated IoT transactions leveraging blockchain technology under the banner of “Economy of Things.” Pairpoint, supported by an investment of €60 million from both companies, employs 50 staff in the UK and Portugal.
Sensos, established in 2023 as a spin-off from Sony Semiconductor Israel, is a pioneer in smart label technology. Its IoT sensors are incorporated into printable labels, enabling proactive supply chain management. Sensos’ solution includes an AI-based control tower for data analysis and anomaly detection, targeting cold-chain logistics, mission-critical shipments, and high-value goods.
The integration of Pairpoint and Sensos technologies aims to securely record all goods movements, from port departures to final deliveries, using blockchain technology and smart contracts. This ensures verifiability, transparency, and resistance to tampering, thus combating fraud and enhancing trust in the supply chain.
Unilog, part of ICL Group, is currently testing the solution at multiple sites in the US and Europe. Osi Tagger, CEO of Unilog, emphasizes the importance of technology in superior supply chain management and highlights the seamless services delivered through partnerships with Sensos and Pairpoint.
Jorge Bento, CEO of Pairpoint, expresses excitement about bringing Economy of Things capabilities to the wider supply chain sector, envisioning intelligent and e-commerce-ready parcels and pallets globally.
Aviv Castro, CEO of Sensos, sees the collaboration as a significant step towards a more resilient and trustworthy supply chain ecosystem. By integrating Pairpoint’s blockchain technology with Sensos’ AI-powered control tower, businesses gain unprecedented security and agility, leading to bottom-line savings.