Fredericton-based SmartSkin Technologies is revolutionizing the pharmaceutical and beverage manufacturing industries through innovative sensor technology and data-driven solutions. Using a combination of advanced patented sensor technology and sophisticated data analytics, SmartSkin identifies and solves issues in production and bottling lines, helping companies optimize production, reduce waste, and increase efficiency.
This one-of-a-kind technology allows filling and packaging plants to maximize efficiency without compromising product quality by allowing manufacturers to monitor and measure the forces that containers endure during the packaging process.
SmartSkin’s journey began with founder and Chief Technology Officer, Kumaran Thillainadarajah, who developed the breakthrough sensor technology while working as a summer student at the University of New Brunswick (UNB). Originally tasked with designing stronger skin for prosthetics, Thillainadarajah and his team instead created a skin that behaves as a sensor. Supported by UNB’s J. Herbert Smith Centre, the team built numerous prototypes and explored various applications before discovering a need for the technology in the packaging industry.
Today, SmartSkin’s technology is used by 15 of the world’s top 20 pharmaceutical companies and in 6 of the 7 largest beverage manufacturers worldwide. In addition to its work in pharmaceuticals, SmartSkin is making strides in the beverage industry, contributing to Coca-Cola’s largest carbon footprint reduction initiative. By reducing the weight of its cans, Coca-Cola aims to lower its environmental impact, but the challenge lies in the increased fragility of lighter cans. SmartSkin’s sensors play a critical role by identifying potential problems in the production process and ensuring smooth adjustments to accommodate the lighter cans.
Thillainadarajah emphasizes that being based in New Brunswick has not hindered SmartSkin’s global growth. “We have everything we need here—access to skilled talent, business support, and investors,” he says. Many of the company’s employees are graduates from local institutions like UNB and the New Brunswick Community College (NBCC). “Together, we are developing products that are invented, designed, and shipped all over the world.”
SmartSkin’s success is a testament to the supportive business environment in Atlantic Canada. With backing from organizations like ACOA, SmartSkin has been able to compete on a global scale while maintaining a strong connection to its local roots. Thillainadarajah adds, “The quality of life here is unmatched. I have more time for both my business and my family.”
By combining cutting-edge technology with a thriving local ecosystem, SmartSkin is poised to continue leading innovation in New Brunswick and beyond.
