Zebra Technologies and Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany Partner to Enhance Safety and Traceability Solutions
Zebra Technologies Corporation (NASDAQ: ZBRA), a global leader in digitizing and automating frontline workflows, has announced an innovative collaboration with Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany, a leading science and technology company. This partnership aims to develop cutting-edge solutions to tackle growing challenges related to product verification, authenticity, and trust across various industries.
At the forefront of this collaboration is M-Trust™, the first-ever cyber-physical trust platform integrated with a mobile computer scanning solution. M-Trust™ is designed to combat issues such as product counterfeiting, ensure product safety, and improve traceability within global supply chains. By leveraging Zebra’s expertise in mobile computing, asset visibility, and identity capture solutions alongside Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany’s patented authentication technologies, the collaboration seeks to set a new benchmark for security, accuracy, and trust in manufacturing value chains.
Beyond improving security, this initiative will also contribute to the development of high-quality data sets for training and testing artificial intelligence (AI) models. This enhances analytics capabilities as AI solutions are increasingly implemented in various operational processes.
Strengthening Trust in AI and Data Authenticity
Thomas Endress, Head of M-Trust™ at Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany, emphasized the importance of this collaboration in reinforcing trust in AI systems.
“By combining our expertise in identification and authentication, both companies will deliver essential solutions for reliable data access across value chains. This integration builds trust in AI systems regarding data authenticity and origin,” said Endress. “Our collaboration with Zebra presents great potential for customers to enhance their operations for more accurate and compliant processes that businesses and consumers can trust.”
This statement underscores the critical need for advanced security measures as digital transformation accelerates across industries. With increasing concerns over data integrity, businesses must ensure that AI-driven decision-making is based on trustworthy and verifiable information.
Introducing a Revolutionary Handheld Reader
One of the first tangible results of this partnership is the development of a next-generation handheld reader, designed to integrate seamlessly with the M-Trust™ platform.
The new prototype includes a mobile scanner built on Zebra’s TC58 mobile computer, combined with Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany’s security-pigment detector, the SEC-Reader. This technology enables users to scan products efficiently while seamlessly sharing data with the M-Trust™ platform via high-speed connections such as Wi-Fi 6E or 5G. The comprehensive solution allows manufacturers, distributors, and supply chain operators to verify products in real-time without switching between multiple devices.
Beyond verification, the device includes features tailored for frontline workers, such as:
- Two-way radio communication for seamless coordination across teams.
- A high-resolution 16 MP camera for capturing detailed product images.
- Advanced 1D/2D barcode scanning capabilities for efficient data capture.
By integrating these capabilities into a single device, Zebra Technologies and Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany, are setting a new standard for efficiency and security in manufacturing and logistics.
Enhancing Compliance with Regulatory Standards
A crucial aspect of the M-Trust™ platform is its adaptability to evolving regulatory requirements. One such regulation is the EU Digital Product Passport initiative, which aims to enhance product transparency and sustainability by linking physical products with digital records.
Through Web 3.0 technology, M-Trust™ provides a highly secure and immutable link between physical and digital identities. This ensures compliance with regulatory frameworks while empowering businesses to maintain a competitive edge in a rapidly changing global landscape.
As industries increasingly adopt digital product authentication and traceability solutions, having a robust cyber-physical trust system will be crucial for businesses aiming to establish credibility with regulators, partners, and consumers alike.
Driving Industry 4.0 Transformation
Industry 4.0 represents the convergence of digital technologies with traditional manufacturing and supply chain processes. With this transformation, businesses require real-time insights, intelligent automation, and interconnected ecosystems to thrive in competitive markets.
James Poulton, Senior Vice President and General Manager of Enterprise Mobile Computing at Zebra Technologies, highlighted the significance of the partnership in advancing Industry 4.0 adoption.
“We are proud to work with Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany on this important initiative, which gives manufacturers and their frontline workers a unique solution to intelligently automate essential verifications in their manufacturing and supply chain operations. This collaboration provides greater visibility of assets and inventory,” said Poulton.
With factories and supply chains becoming increasingly interconnected, solutions such as the M-Trust™ platform will play a pivotal role in ensuring product integrity, operational efficiency, and compliance with industry regulations.
Showcasing Innovation at Hannover Messe 2025
As part of the collaboration, Zebra Technologies and Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany, will showcase the working prototype of the new mobile scanner, along with M-Trust™ and crypto-anchor technologies, at Hannover Messe 2025.
Visitors to Zebra’s booth (Hall 9, Stand H71) will have the opportunity to witness firsthand how the solution functions in real-world applications. Experts from both companies will be available to provide insights into the capabilities of the technology and discuss how businesses can integrate it into their operations.
Key Takeaways
- Revolutionizing Product Safety and Traceability: The collaboration combines Zebra’s mobile computing and identity capture expertise with Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany’s patented authentication technologies to improve security and traceability.
- First-of-Its-Kind Cyber-Physical Trust Platform: M-Trust™ establishes an immutable link between physical and digital identities, ensuring authenticity and compliance with evolving regulations.
- Advanced Handheld Reader Prototype: The new device integrates mobile scanning, barcode reading, security-pigment detection, and AI-powered verification into a single solution.
- Enhancing AI and Data Trustworthiness: The initiative provides high-quality data for AI training and testing, strengthening the reliability of AI-driven decision-making.
- Live Demonstration at Hannover Messe 2025: Businesses can explore the solution in action and engage with experts to understand its practical applications.
The partnership between Zebra Technologies and Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany, represents a major milestone in advancing product verification and digital trust solutions. As counterfeiting and product integrity concerns continue to rise globally, industries must adopt secure and scalable solutions to maintain credibility and protect their supply chains.
Through the integration of AI, Web 3.0, and state-of-the-art authentication technologies, this collaboration sets a new industry standard for security, compliance, and efficiency. As these solutions become widely adopted, businesses will be better equipped to navigate the complexities of modern manufacturing and supply chain management.
With the Hannover Messe 2025 demonstration just around the corner, the future of cyber-physical trust is closer than ever. Businesses looking to stay ahead in Industry 4.0 should closely follow developments in this groundbreaking collaboration.
For more information, visit Zebra Technologies’ booth at Hannover Messe 2025 or explore the M-Trust™ platform’s capabilities through Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany’s official channels.
