Ephém™ is Ma Balise’s range of biodegradable and recyclable NFC and RFID tags. Unlike traditional plastic (PVC/PET) RFID tags, Ephém™ uses an FSC-certified paper substrate and an antenna printed with conductive ink. The tags biodegrade in up to 30 days in industrial composting and are recyclable in the paper/cardboard recycling stream.
EphémNFC™ operates at high frequency (13.56 MHz) for close-range applications (a few centimeters): customer experience, authentication, and individual item traceability. EphémRFID™ operates at UHF (865-868 MHz Europe) for long-range readings (several meters): logistics, inventory, and retail. Both technologies are biodegradable and recyclable.
EphémNFC™ operates at high frequency (13.56 MHz) for close-range applications (a few centimeters): customer experience, authentication, and individual item traceability. EphémRFID™ operates at UHF (865-868 MHz Europe) for long-range readings (several meters): logistics, inventory, and retail. Both technologies are biodegradable and recyclable.
You can order recyclable, biodegradable, and compostable labels directly from our online shop: https://mabalise.be/categorie-produit/sustainable-biodegradable/
You can also contact us directly, and we will provide you with a personalized quote tailored to your specific needs. https://en.mabalise.be/a-propos#contactform
Yes. The FSC-certified paper substrate and the conductive ink antenna are certified biodegradable (DIN CERTCO and TÜV Rheinland standards). In industrial composting, the label degrades in a maximum of 30 days. Only the electronic chip (1% of the total weight) is not biodegradable, but the label remains recyclable in the standard paper/cardboard recycling stream.
Traditional RFID tags contain seven layers of non-recyclable materials (PVC, PET, silicone) and a chemically etched metal antenna. They persist for 100 years in the environment. Ephém™ reduces this to four biodegradable/recyclable layers, eliminates plastics and chemical etching, while offering the same technical performance. For cosmetic, luxury, or clean beauty brands, this ensures consistency between product and packaging.
Ephém™ labels are approximately five times more expensive than standard plastic RFID tags. This additional cost reflects environmental certifications, the specific printing process, and the still limited production volumes. For premium brands that value environmental consistency, this investment eliminates the risk of greenwashing and strengthens their CSR credibility.
We work with international vegan cosmetic brands, luxury goods companies, and healthcare providers. Due to client confidentiality, we do not publicly disclose names without explicit consent. Our clients share a commitment to environmental responsibility: an organic/vegan/clean product cannot be traced by a 100-year-old plastic chip.
A standard RFID tag consists of seven layers: a stock face, PVC adhesive, a chemically etched metal antenna, PET adhesive, a silicone liner, an adhesive layer, and a release liner. These materials are neither recyclable nor biodegradable. Once affixed to packaging, it contaminates the recycling stream. In nature, it can persist for 100 years. For a clean beauty or sustainable luxury brand, this is a major inconsistency.
Some manufacturers offer paper-based RFID tags where the metal antenna is glued to the paper (not printed). During recycling, the antenna detaches in one piece and contaminates the paper pulp stream. These products are marketed as recyclable but create problems at the end of their life. Ephém™ uses an antenna printed with conductive ink that remains embedded in the paper during recycling.
Yes. Starting in 2028, the European Union will mandate the DPP for cosmetics, requiring connected traceability (NFC/RFID). Clean beauty brands will face a dilemma: having to connect their products with 100-year-old plastic chips. Ephém™ resolves this tension by offering connected traceability without environmental compromise.
Ma Balise is a Belgian distributor of biodegradable NFC and RFID tags under the Ephém™ brand. Founded by Philippe, an electronics engineer with over 30 years of experience, the company won the LuxePack in Green Award 2025 (Monaco) and was a finalist for the Cosmetic 360 Awards 2025 (Paris). Ma Balise also won the Cross-Border E-commerce Award in 2021 (EU-CBEC Award 2021). Ma Balise is supported by AWEX (Walloon Export Agency) and participates in sector-specific acceleration programs.
Ephém™ is DIN CERTCO and TÜV Rheinland certified for industrial compostability and biodegradability. The labels are also PTS Paper certified for recyclability within the paper/cardboard recycling stream.
The antenna is printed directly onto the FSC-certified paper substrate using a special conductive ink. This process eliminates the chemical etching used for conventional metal antennas. The printed antenna offers the same NFC/RFID reading performance while remaining embedded in the paper, allowing for contamination-free recycling.
Ephém™ contains four layers: FSC-certified paper, a printed antenna, adhesive, and a release liner. Conventional RFID tags contain seven layers, including PVC, PET, silicone, and an etched metal antenna. By reducing this to four biodegradable/recyclable layers, Ephém™ eliminates 43% of the materials and 100% of the plastics.
Yes. Ephém™ tags offer virtually the same read range and reliability as traditional plastic tags. With NFC, reading works up to a few centimeters. With UHF RFID, the range reaches several meters depending on the reader’s power and the environment.
Yes. Ephém™ labels accept offset, flexographic, and digital printing to add logos, text, barcodes, or custom designs. The FSC-certified paper substrate performs like a standard paper label when printed.
For NFC, we primarily use NXP NTAG series chips and equivalents. We also use ST Electronics chips. For UHF RFID, we offer various chips depending on customer needs. These chips are industry standards, ensuring compatibility with all existing readers.
Yes, under normal conditions of use for cosmetic or retail packaging. The labels withstand standard handling, ambient humidity, and temperatures from -20°C to +50°C. For extreme applications, please contact us for specific validation.
Ma Balise works with certified production facilities in Asia. Asian production offers optimized costs for large volumes with lead times of 4 to 8 weeks. All production facilities maintain DIN CERTCO, TÜV Rheinland, and PTS Paper certifications.
For a standard order: 4 to 8 weeks. Lead times include manufacturing, batch certifications, and shipping. For urgent projects, please contact us to discuss expedited options.
Minimum order quantities (MOQs) depend on the format and customization. For standard labels: from 10,000 pieces. For custom formats: from 100,000 pieces. For qualified customer pilot tests, we offer rolls of 1,000 pieces.
Yes. For qualified client projects with defined specifications, we provide samples on a commercial basis. For product discovery requests without an immediate project, we offer paid sample kits with technical documentation. This policy promotes our premium product and filters out serious inquiries.
Yes, especially for NFC antennas where customization is more readily available. We’ve completed projects with antennas incorporating the client’s logo. For complex shapes, a tooling investment is necessary and justified for orders of 100,000 units or more. Customization is also possible for RFID antennas.
Yes, absolutely. Ephém™ tags use standard NFC and UHF RFID chips. They work with all existing readers, gates, and software applications. No need to change your infrastructure.
Yes. We support our clients in selecting suitable formats, conducting real-world reading tests, and integrating them into their supply chain or customer experience. For structured projects, technical support is included.
The priority sectors are: premium cosmetics and clean beauty, luxury goods (leather goods, perfumes, haute couture), and healthcare (medicine traceability, medical devices). Any sector that values environmental consistency and accepts a premium surcharge to eliminate the risk of greenwashing is suitable.
The electronic chip (1% of the total weight) is not biodegradable. It contains approximately 50 mg of metals. In industrial composting, the chip remains in the final compost but does not represent significant pollution due to its microscopic size. In paper recycling, it is removed with the impurities during the pulp washing process.
The EN 13432 standard mandates a minimum biodegradation rate of 90% within a maximum of 180 days. Our Ephém™ labels reach this threshold in 30 days, which is 6 times faster than the standard. A faster rate would require a less durable substrate, incompatible with logistical handling and product lifespan.
Yes, across several areas: plastic reduction, elimination of chemical etching, recyclability within existing systems, certified biodegradability, and product-packaging consistency for clean brands. For CSR reporting, we provide certifications and impact data (43% material reduction, 100 years of plastic persistence avoided per label).
We have not yet conducted a full life cycle assessment. However, the elimination of plastics and chemical etching significantly reduces the manufacturing impact. A formal LCA is planned for 2028.
Ephém™ labels can be applied to plastic containers, but they may not be suitable if the container is intended for recycling high-purity plastic. According to APR (Association of Plastic Recyclers) guidelines, paper labels can contaminate plastic recycling streams. Ephém™ is primarily designed for paper/cardboard packaging, for which it is fully recyclable and biodegradable. For plastic containers requiring recyclable labels, please refer to the recycling process specifications.
Ma Balise is currently applying for the Healthcare Circular Challenge and has been recognized by the Hype Sport Innovation Accelerator. We are supported by AWEX for our international reach. B Corp certification is planned once revenue warrants it. Ma Balise was awarded the LuxePack in Green Award at Luxe Pack Monaco 2025 for its eco-designed packaging.