Using RFID to improve
traceability in process industry
Experiments in a distribution chain
for iron ore pellets
Bjo
¨
rn Kvarnstro
¨
m and Erik Vanhatalo
Lulea
˚
University of Technology, Lulea
˚
, Sweden
Abstract
Purpose – The purpose of the paper is to explore the application of radio frequency identification
(RFID) to improve traceability in a flow of granular products and to illustrate examples of special
issues that need to be considered when using the RFID technique in a process industry setting.
Design/methodology/approach – The paper outlines a case study at a Swedish mining company,
including experiments to test the suitability of RFID to trace iron ore pellets (a granular product) in
parts of the distribution chain.
Findings – The results show that the RFID technique can be used to improve traceability in granular
product flows. A number of special issues concerning the use of RFID in process industries are also
highlighted, for example, the problems to control the orientation of the transponder in the read area
and the risk of product contamination in the supply chain.
Research limitations/implications – Even though only a single case has been studied, the results
are of a general interest for industries that have granular product flows. However, future research in
other industries should be performed to validate the results.
Practical implications – The application of RFID described in this paper makes it possible to
increase productivity and product quality by improving traceability in product flows where
traceability normally is problematic.
Originality/value – Prior research has mainly focused on RFID applications in discontinuous
processes. By contrast, this paper presents a novel application of the RFID technique in a continuous
process together with specific issues connected to the use of RFID.
Keywords Radio frequencies, Mining industry, Distribution management, Sweden
Paper type Research paper
1. Introduction
Most companies strive to deliver high-quality products with a minimum number of
defects. However, product recall announcement in newspapers and at internet sites are
not uncommon, which proves that defective or deviating products are not always
identified before they reach the customer. Traceability is not only important to
minimize the extent of product recalls (Juran and Gryna, 1980), but also to be able to
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The authors thank LKAB for the access to the studied case and the financial support that
enabled this research. Furthermore, the authors thank Henirk Lindstro
¨
m and Juha Rajala at
Electrotech for support with the mounting of the RFID reader and technical issues, Kent Tano
and Sofia Nordqvist at LKAB for their valuable help with practical issues, and Bjarne Bergquist
and Kerstin Va
¨
nnman at Lulea
˚
University of Technology for valuable input to this paper.
The authors thank the editor and reviewers for insightful comments that improved this paper.
Using RFID
to improve
traceability
139
Received October 2008
Revised March 2009
Accepted June 2009
Journal of Manufacturing Technology
Management
Vol. 21 No. 1, 2010
pp. 139-154
q Emerald Group Publishing Limited
1741-038X
DOI 10.1108/17410381011011524