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Embargoed Release: 07:00hrs Monday 28 July 2008

Block Shield Corporation Plc

('Block Shield' or the 'Company')

Launch of Rfidium Brand 

Block Shield Corporation plc, the provider of innovative electronic components and processes utilised in electromagnetic compatibility ('EMC') and Radio Frequency Identification ('RFID') applications, is pleased to announce it has officially launched Rfidium, a complete RFID inlay design and production service that combines the strengths and innovations of its RFID subsidiary WaveZero Inc ('WaveZero'), and the RFID operations, personnel and technologies from its recent acquisition Mu-Gahat Holdings Inc. ('Mu-Gahat').

 

Rfidium is a unique service delivering custom UHF antenna inlay design and prototyping with flexible production services and a stock inlay line providing customers with small or large volume RFID production runs, catering to clients' current minimal requirements as well as offering the opportunity to facilitate future mass volume fabrication without redesign. Utilising a patent pending laser ablation antenna process, together with high speed production equipment, Rfidium allows further streamlining, faster turnaround times, lower costs and quantities in comparison to typical inlay suppliers.

 

As part of its service, Rfidium's in-house staff of RFID antenna design engineers will work with customers to optimise RFID tag performance for specific applications. A common issue with RFID tags is a tendency to detune when attached to objects; Rfidium obviates this drawback with the ability to test actual individual tag variations which is imperative in ensuring that a theoretical design performs optimally in its real-world environment. By utilising the company's proprietary software design process, Rfidium can produce from one to five simultaneous RFID inlay variations - antenna + chip on flexible plastic substrate - for product application and field testing. This enables a quicker route to optimal design than conventional sequential, repetitive one-at-a-time design processes.

Rfidium amalgamates the strengths of Block Shield's recent acquisition, Mu-Gahat's RFID technology and WaveZero's extensive and expansive RFID division to a deliver complete end-to-end solution. Mu-Gahat is a developer of low volume, custom RFID inlays for application development and smaller volume programmes that additionally specialises in RFID gaming systems and printed electronics. Its contribution to Rfidium is to permit smaller economical production runs of as little as 150 units, removing the need for customers to order larger than needed quantities or to stockpile extraneous inlays, while buyers with specific requirements receive the appropriate inlays without being penalised by premiums. WaveZero, a leader in Electromagnetic Interference, Radio Frequency Interference and Electrostatic Discharge shielding solutions as well as RFID antennas and inlays, can fulfil Rfidium's high-volume production requirements with its RFID manufacturing module, the Dedivol, which is capable of producing over 200 million individual RFID inlays per annum.

Rfidium also carries a variety of stock RFID inlays using chips from leading providers such as Impinj and TI suitable for many applications, including tape cartridge, item-level, and pallet tracking. Stock inlays can be custom-tuned to meet specific requirements.

The aluminum antennas and inlays designed and produced by Rfidium comply with strict WEEE and RoHS environmental requirements, minimising any environmental impact and contributing towards greener, cleaner operations.

 

Edwin Oh, chief executive officer of Block Shield, commented:

'Block Shield's new Rfidium service successfully demonstrates the superior proprietary technological capabilities of our subsidiaries WaveZero and Mu-Gahat in providing a complete one stop-shop solution for RFID customers. To date, label converters, integrators, design engineers, and frustrated end-users could not rely on a single source for both custom RFID inlay design and prototyping and high-volume production. The Rfidium brand unites the two subsidiaries' unique capabilities of rapid prototyping and low-medium volume RFID production with high-volume RFID antenna production services and equipment, and by doing so ensures Block Shield's RFID suite of solutions and services offers a very credible and attractive commercial proposition for the growing RFID market.'

- Ends -

For further information contact:

For US enquiries: 

Block Shield Corporation Plc 

Edwin Oh, Chief Executive Officer

+1 408 702 1800

    

Catherine Van Zuylen, vice president, marketing 

+1 408-830-5100 ex 828

For UK enquiries: 

Hansard Group 

Vikki Krause

020 7245 1100

ABOUT WAVEZERO INC.

WaveZero, Inc. is a leader in the development and manufacturing of extremely low cost, environmentally friendly EMI/RFI/ESD shielding solutions. The company provides DeepCoat vacuum metallization services and Form/Met shielding products to meet board-level and other EMC shielding needs. In 2004, WaveZero, Inc. was acquired by Block Shield L.L.C., a publicly traded company on AIM, part of the London Stock Exchange. For more information, visit http://www.wavezero.com or call +1 408 702 1800.

ABOUT RFIDIUM.

Rfidium, a Block Shield (AIM:BLS) brand, is a complete design, prototyping and production RFID antenna and inlay provider. Using a patent-pending laser production system, proprietary design software and Muhlbauer FCM 10000 flip chip equipment, the company provides up to five simultaneous 'variations on a theme' for test, enabling faster time to market by providing the ability to quickly create prototypes and validate pilot runs. Rfidium's high-volume RFID antenna production equipment can precisely deposit the thinnest layer of aluminum on plastic film rolls, with excellent edge quality and performance. Our pure aluminum antennas are inherently more efficient than conductive inks, are environmentally friendly, and fully recyclable. Rfidium also provides stock RFIDs for tape cartridges, items, pallets, and more.

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