The Centre for Process Innovation, a consortium of major suppliers in the print, electronics and design industries, is to lead a £10m (US$16m) project to create a UK supply chain that will enable the widespread adoption of low cost NFC components using printable electronics.

The project is part of the UK government's Advanced Manufacturing Supply Chain Initiative (AMSCI) and aims to "extend NFC's use so that smartphones can interact with printed items such as labels, posters, documents and product packaging."

Goals include developing manufacturing skills, building manufacturing capacity and demonstrating application deployment.

"CPI is delighted to lead the project, which is in line with our role in supporting the development and commercialisation of advanced manufacturing processes," says CPI CEO Nigel Perry. "The project will enable the UK to be competitive in this high growth global industry."