TÖNNJES International Group stands as a global leader in secure vehicle identification, driving innovation that makes mobility safer, smarter, and more connected. Headquartered in Delmenhorst and Siegen, Germany, the company fuses cutting-edge technology with decades of industry expertise to deliver intelligent identification solutions worldwide. At the core of its portfolio lies Electronic Vehicle Identification (EVI), a breakthrough that transforms every license plate into a digital passport using advanced RAIN RFID technology. With flagship solutions such as IDePLATE, IDeSTIX, and the IDeTRUST Verification App, TÖNNJES empowers governments and organizations to manage vehicle data with unmatched accuracy, security, and confidence.
Yet, TÖNNJES offers far more than physical products. It engineers complete, integrated ecosystems that merge robust security features with intelligent software and automation systems like IDeROBOT—redefining efficiency in vehicle registration and verification. In essence, TÖNNJES doesn’t merely manufacture license plates; it builds the digital backbone of modern mobility.
In an exclusive interaction with The Interview World at the TrafficInfraTech Expo 2025, Andreas Haak, Senior Sales Executive at TÖNNJES International Group, reveals how the company’s RFID technologies are transforming the landscape of smart mobility. He discusses TÖNNJES’s global operations, outlines upcoming innovations, and shares his vision for long-term business growth and market expansion.
Here are the key insights from his engaging conversation.
Q: How is TÖNNJES leveraging its RFID technologies to tackle the pressing challenges in the global smart mobility landscape?
A: TÖNNJES stands as the global leader in vehicle license plate production and secure identification technology. Our most groundbreaking innovation is the RFID license plate — a revolutionary product that integrates an RFID chip directly into the plate itself.
Unlike conventional systems, our design uses the aluminum body of the license plate as a dipole antenna, ensuring exceptionally efficient readability from a distance — even without direct line of sight. This capability sets our solution apart from traditional automated vehicle identification technologies.
Around the world, governments invest heavily in camera-based systems. However, these systems have a critical limitation: they can only capture what is visible. A counterfeit or illegally altered license plate, when presented to a camera, appears just as authentic as a legitimate one. Even today’s advanced AI-powered cameras cannot reliably distinguish between genuine and fake plates.
To solve this problem, we have introduced a new security layer — the cryptographic RFID chip. It enables secure, tamper-proof digital authentication of every registered vehicle.
The most effective approach, however, is to combine RFID technology with camera systems. While the camera provides visual evidence, the RFID chip verifies authenticity in real time. Together, they create a robust, foolproof system that ensures what the camera sees truly matches the official data.
Q: Is TÖNNJES already active in the Indian market, or are you planning to introduce your solutions here soon?
A: This is my first visit to India. As a globally active company, we are eager to showcase our cutting-edge, intelligent solutions to the Indian market. We see this as an important opportunity to demonstrate how our technologies can strengthen and modernize the country’s vehicle identification ecosystem.
Q: Beyond India, which other countries are currently leveraging TÖNNJES’s technologies?
A: Across Asia, we have established a major partnership with the Land Transportation Office (LTO) of the Philippines. Together with our local partner and the LTO, we produce all vehicle license plates for the country and also supply the third license plate — an RFID-enabled windshield sticker that enhances vehicle traceability and security.
In Malaysia, we hold a government contract with our partner to equip every newly registered electric vehicle with both RFID license plates and RFID windshield stickers. This initiative marks a decisive step toward smarter, more sustainable mobility.
Beyond Asia, our technology is also being adopted in regions such as the Cayman Islands, Honduras, Peru, and several European countries, which are now preparing to implement similar systems.
In addition to our advanced smart plates, we continue to supply standard license plates worldwide — serving over 130 countries and reinforcing our position as the global leader in secure vehicle identification.
Q: What new innovations or advancements is TÖNNJES planning to build on its RFID technologies over the next five to ten years?
A: The transportation sector is evolving at remarkable speed, driven by rapid technological advancements. In this dynamic landscape, the RFID license plate now represents the state of the art in vehicle identification.
As for what comes next — that remains confidential for now. You’ll hear about it soon enough in the news.
Since we specialize in business-to-government solutions, our upcoming innovations are discussed exclusively with government partners before they are made public.
Q: Where do you envision TÖNNJES in the next five to ten years in terms of business growth and global market expansion?
A: Yes, we are witnessing a significant global shift toward smart mobility solutions. The demand for our technologies is rising sharply across international markets — particularly in emerging regions such as Africa and Asia, where innovation and digital transformation are accelerating at an unprecedented pace.
