Background: A leading manufacturer of automotive lubricants, specializing in engine oils for passenger and commercial vehicles, was increasingly challenged by counterfeit products entering the market under its brand name. These fake products not only harmed the company’s reputation but also posed a risk to vehicle performance and customer safety.

In addition, the company wanted to upgrade its packaging to reinforce brand identity and provide visible assurance of product authenticity, especially for its premium synthetic oil range.

Objective

• Combat counterfeiting and tampering in regional and export markets.
• Improve brand differentiation on retail shelves.
• Ensure seal integrity under various distribution conditions.

Implementation: The company worked with a PDP to introduce holographic induction sealing wads specifically engineered for high-viscosity liquids like engine oil. These seals incorporated advanced security and branding elements.

Seal Features:

• Embedded holographic image with the company’s logo and a unique pattern visible under light.
• Tamper-evident layer: Once opened, the seal cannot be reapplied or replicated.
• Color-shifting foil visible through the bottle cap’s underside.
• Designed for compatibility with HDPE bottles and automated induction sealers used on the existing filling lines.

A limited release was carried out on the company’s 1L and 5L synthetic oil SKUs for field evaluation over four months.

Results

• Counterfeit reduction was immediate, especially in high-risk markets in Southeast Asia and the Middle East.
• Distributor confidence improved, citing ease of verification without special tools.
• Retail engagement rose as customers appreciated the added protection, seeing it as a mark of authenticity and care.

Key Takeaways

• Holographic induction wads provided a non-invasive, tamper-evident seal that could be applied without changing existing machinery.
• The holographic feature acted as both a visual deterrent to counterfeiters and a confidence booster for buyers.
• Improved packaging aesthetics also contributed to a perceived upgrade in product value, without significant cost increase.

Future Strategy: The company now plans to expand holographic sealing to all product categories, including transmission fluids and gear oils. They’re also exploring the addition of serial-coded holograms for digital tracking and consumer authentication via smartphone.