Powercast Elevates RAIN RFID for Smarter Supply Chains

Last year, the U.S. saw a staggering 25% increase in foodborne illnesses and a more than twofold rise in hospitalizations. This alarming trend has fueled the FDA's upcoming Food Traceability Final Rule, which mandates end-to-end traceability for high-risk foods—similar to the EU's Digital Product Passport (DPP), which enhances transparency across product lifecycles.

'The industry is at a turning point: traditional tracking methods—such as manual barcode scanning and static QR codes—fall short of delivering the real-time, scalable solutions needed for both compliance and operational efficiency,' explains Charles Greene, COO & CTO of Powercast Corporation, a leader in wireless power solutions. 'That's why we are powering the next generation of RAIN RFID devices—to drive smarter supply chains capable of locating live shipments, tracking the state of perishable goods, enabling anti-counterfeiting security measures and more.'

RAIN RFID technology is becoming a cornerstone of modern supply chain automation. Unlike traditional optical tracking methods—such as barcode or QR code scanning, which provide static data and require line-of-sight—RAIN systems offer real-time, automated visibility. This is especially crucial in dynamic environments where continuous monitoring is essential.

Powercast is enhancing RAIN capabilities by:

    Embedding data-rich sensors to provide instant insights into product conditions. This not only tracks the location of stock but also monitors critical environmental factors affecting perishable goods, including temperature, humidity, and movement.
    The Find-Tag feature integrates LED indicators into RAIN tags, enabling workers to quickly locate shipments—such as contaminated goods requiring immediate removal. This is particularly critical as 2024 has witnessed a surge in E. coli outbreaks, with major brands such as McDonald's and Grimmway Farms facing food poisoning lawsuits. These incidents underscore weaknesses in food safety regulations and traceability systems.

In addition to food safety, RAIN technology enhances inventory accuracy, reduces losses, and increases transparency throughout the supply chain. With automated, real-time tracking, RAIN enables businesses to avoid stockouts, limit overstock, and optimize warehouse operations. Furthermore, it improves operational efficiency by streamlining processes and accelerates recall procedures by quickly identifying affected products.

As industries move toward greater transparency, the EU's Digital Product Passport (DPP) is setting a new standard for tracking a product's lifecycle—from raw materials to disposal. Powercast is at the forefront of this shift, leveraging its RF wireless power technology to enhance RAIN's role in sustainability.

By embedding its Powerharvester technology into RAIN tags, Powercast enables maintenance-free, batteryless tracking systems that align with both DPP initiatives and corporate sustainability goals while elevating RAIN beyond just identification. These systems help businesses reduce waste, improve inventory accuracy, collect environmental data critical to sustainable operations, and are able to power or recharge the DPP device.

As a member of the RAIN Alliance Sustainability Working Group, Powercast is driving innovation that bridges RAIN technology with real-world sustainability efforts, ensuring smarter, more responsible supply chains.