Zebra Technologies and Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany Collaborate to Create Safety and Traceability Solutions

Rhea-AI Summary

Zebra Technologies (NASDAQ: ZBRA) and Merck KGaA have announced a strategic collaboration to develop solutions for product verification and authenticity. The partnership will integrate M-Trust™, the first cyber-physical trust platform, with Zebra's mobile computing technology.

The collaboration's first milestone is a new handheld reader combining Zebra's TC58 mobile computer with Merck's security-pigment detector (SEC-Reader). This integrated device will connect to the M-Trust™ platform via Wi-Fi 6E or 5G, featuring two-way radio, a 16 MP camera, and a 1D/2D barcode scanner.

The solution leverages Web 3.0 and crypto technologies to create secure digital twins, addressing challenges in product safety, traceability, and counterfeiting. The platform is designed to comply with evolving regulations like the EU Digital Product Passport. A working prototype will be demonstrated at Hannover Messe 2025.

Positive

• Strategic partnership combines Zebra's mobile computing expertise with Merck's authentication technology
• Development of innovative product verification solution addressing counterfeiting issues
• Platform compliance with upcoming EU Digital Product Passport regulations
• Enhanced data quality for AI model training and analytics

Negative

• Product still in prototype phase with launch date not specified
• Implementation costs and pricing details not disclosed

Insights

Technology Solutions Expert

This strategic partnership between Zebra Technologies and Merck KGaA represents meaningful product diversification for Zebra by extending their core mobile computing capabilities into the high-growth authentication and traceability market. The integration of Zebra's TC58 mobile computer with Merck's security-pigment detector creates a differentiated solution addressing escalating concerns around product verification in global supply chains.

Technically, this collaboration leverages Web 3.0 crypto technologies to create immutable links between physical products and digital twins - a critical capability as distributed manufacturing and complex supply chains increase counterfeit risks. The timing is particularly strategic with the EU Digital Product Passport regulations on the horizon, creating regulatory tailwinds for adoption.

For Zebra, this represents a potential expansion beyond hardware into more profitable platform-based solutions. Rather than competing solely on device specifications in a crowded enterprise mobile computing market, Zebra gains exclusive integration with Merck's M-Trust™ platform, potentially creating stickier customer relationships and higher-margin recurring revenue opportunities.

While still in prototype stage (limiting immediate revenue impact), this solution addresses a distinct market gap where hardware, authentication technology, and secure data platforms converge - particularly valuable as companies seek trusted data sources for AI model training and compliance verification.

Supply Chain Security Expert

This collaboration addresses a critical and expanding gap in global supply chains: the need for irrefutable product authentication. The integration of Zebra's mobile computing expertise with Merck's security-pigment detection creates a particularly compelling solution by linking physical authentication (security pigments) with digital verification (blockchain/Web 3.0) in a single handheld device.

The value proposition extends beyond mere counterfeit prevention. By creating verified digital twins with immutable authentication data, this solution potentially solves a foundational problem for AI implementation across manufacturing and supply chains - trustworthy data provenance. Organizations cannot effectively deploy AI without confidence in underlying data integrity.

The market timing is opportune as regulatory frameworks increasingly demand traceability - particularly the EU Digital Product Passport initiative specifically mentioned in the article. For Zebra, this partnership potentially transforms their scanning devices from commodity hardware into strategic verification infrastructure with significantly higher value proposition.

While financial terms remain undisclosed, the most significant aspect is how this positions Zebra at the intersection of three high-value trends: supply chain security, trusted data for AI, and regulatory compliance. The prototype demonstration at Hannover Messe suggests commercial deployment may still be months away, but establishes Zebra as an early mover in this emerging verification infrastructure category, potentially creating competitive differentiation in their core enterprise mobility market.

Pioneering Web 3.0 crypto and mobile computing technologies address growing issues of product safety, traceability and counterfeiting and business need for high quality, trusted data for AI systems

LINCOLNSHIRE, Ill. & DARMSTADT, Germany--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Zebra Technologies Corporation (NASDAQ: ZBRA), a global leader in digitising and automating frontline workflows, and Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany, a leading science and technology company, today announced a new collaboration aimed at co-creating solutions to address challenges around product verification, authenticity, and trust. Through this collaboration, M-Trust™ will be the first cyber-physical trust platform with a mobile computer scanning solution for addressing the growing issues of product safety, traceability and counterfeiting.

Prototype of the handheld reader built on Zebra’s TC58 mobile scanner and the security-pigment detector of Merck KGaA

With Zebra’s portfolio and experience in mobile computing, asset visibility, and identity capture solutions and Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany’s patented authentication technologies, the collaboration is designed to create unprecedented levels of security, accuracy and trust in manufacturing value chains. This collaboration will also offer organizations high quality data for training and testing AI models, enhancing analytics capabilities as AI solutions are operationalised.

“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 Thomas Endress, Head of M-Trust™, Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany. “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.”

The first outcome of the collaboration will be a new handheld reader that works with the cutting-edge M-Trust™ platform, a secure cyber-physical trust solution developed by Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany. Launched in January this year, M-Trust™ enables organizations to ensure product quality and authenticity across their value chains by immutably linking the physical and digital worlds, creating secure digital twins. Powered by Web 3.0 technology, the M-Trust™ platform is designed to adapt to evolving technologies and regulatory requirements, such as the EU Digital Product Passport, empowering businesses to thrive in a rapidly changing landscape and remain competitive and trustworthy to consumers and regulators.

This newly created prototype of the handheld reader device consists of a mobile scanner built on Zebra’s TC58 mobile computer and Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany’s security-pigment detector, the SEC-Reader to scan products and share data with the M-Trust™ platform via Wi-Fi 6E or 5G for verification. This all-in-one solution allows customers to verify products without switching devices and includes features for frontline communication, such as two-way radio, a 16 MP camera, and a 1D/2D barcode scanner.

“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, and greater visibility of assets and inventory,” said James Poulton, Senior Vice President and General Manager, Enterprise Mobile Computing, Zebra Technologies. “Together, we can support customers to become industry 4.0 leaders with connected factories and supply chains.”

A working prototype of the mobile scanner, crypto anchor technologies, and M-Trust™ platform will be available at Zebra’s booth at Hannover Messe, Hall 9, Stand H71, along with Zebra and Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany specialists who can discuss the solution.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• New collaboration combines data, identity capture and Web 3.0 crypto technologies to enhance product safety, traceability, and data integrity for AI systems.
• The M-Trust™ solution from Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany, a cutting-edge cyber-physical trust platform, will add Zebra’s TC58 mobile computer capabilities to Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany’s patented authentication technologies.
• A working prototype will be showcased at Hannover Messe 2025.

ABOUT ZEBRA TECHNOLOGIES

Zebra (NASDAQ: ZBRA) provides the solutions to help businesses grow through increased asset visibility, connected frontline workers and intelligent automation. The company operates in more than 100 countries, and our customers include over 80% of the Fortune 500. Designed for the frontline, Zebra’s award-winning portfolio includes hardware, software, and services, all backed by our 50+ years of innovation and global partner ecosystem. Follow Zebra on our blog and LinkedIn, visit our newsroom and learn more at www.zebra.com.

ABOUT MERCK KGaA, DARMSTADT, GERMANY

Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany, a leading science and technology company, operates across life science, healthcare and electronics. More than 62,000 employees work to make a positive difference to millions of people’s lives every day by creating more joyful and sustainable ways to live. From providing products and services that accelerate drug development and manufacturing as well as discovering unique ways to treat the most challenging diseases to enabling the intelligence of devices – the company is everywhere. In 2024, Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany, generated sales of € 21.2 billion in 65 countries.

The company holds the global rights to the name and trademark “Merck” internationally. The only exceptions are the United States and Canada, where the business sectors of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany, operate as MilliporeSigma in life science, EMD Serono in healthcare and EMD Electronics in electronics. Since its founding in 1668, scientific exploration and responsible entrepreneurship have been key to the company’s technological and scientific advances. To this day, the founding family remains the majority owner of the publicly listed company.

M-Trust™ is a trademark of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany or its affiliates. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners. Detailed information on trademarks is available via publicly accessible resources. © 2025 Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany and/or its affiliates. All rights reserved.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250327723287/en/

Zebra Media Contact:

Michael Gilhooly

Zebra Technologies

+1-708-814-5281

michael.gilhooly@zebra.com



Zebra Industry Analyst Contact:

Kasia Fahmy

Zebra Technologies

+1-224-306-8654

K.Fahmy@zebra.com



Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany Media contact

Gangolf Schrimpf

Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany

emdgroup.com

Source: Zebra Technologies Corporation

FAQ

What is the purpose of Zebra Technologies (ZBRA) and Merck KGaA's collaboration?

The collaboration aims to create solutions for product verification, authenticity, and trust by combining Zebra's mobile computing expertise with Merck's authentication technologies.

What features does the new ZBRA-Merck handheld reader include?

The device combines Zebra's TC58 mobile computer with a security-pigment detector, featuring Wi-Fi 6E/5G connectivity, two-way radio, 16 MP camera, and 1D/2D barcode scanner.

When will the ZBRA-Merck M-Trust platform prototype be showcased?

The working prototype will be demonstrated at Hannover Messe 2025 at Zebra's booth in Hall 9, Stand H71.

How does the M-Trust platform enhance AI capabilities for ZBRA customers?

The platform provides high-quality data for training and testing AI models, ensuring data authenticity and origin for enhanced analytics capabilities.