Scaling Refill for Retail with Ecourage

Last year Ecourage entered the refill market through retail deployments in Japan and New Zealand, launching in AEON stores and ecostore locations with OmniCap™ — an NFC-enabled, valve-based closure designed for fully closed refill systems. This technology enables product transfer without exposure to air or external contact, preserving integrity and preventing contamination. It has proven especially effective for sensitive applications such as edible oils and institutional cleaning products. As Ecourage expanded into consumer-facing retail, many brands prioritized compatibility over proprietary packaging changes. Leading brands such as Dr. Bronner’s preferred using existing bottles and closures rather than adopting a new cap system. In response, Ecourage evolved its platform to support open-format refill while maintaining a controlled, mess-free experience. With Connected Smart Fill™ (CSF™), standard bottles (typically 28mm neck finish) are placed into the dispenser cradle, filled automatically, and resealed with the original cap. NFC chips are applied prior to refill to maintain authentication, fill control, and data capture. This preserves Ecourage’s smart capabilities while allowing brands to keep current packaging formats. Ecourage is demonstrating this evolution at Natural Products Expo West with a fully branded Dr. Bronner’s refill machine and live demos. The company’s R&D team is advancing the next generation of CSF™, planned for mid-2026, with expanded bottle size support, improved ergonomics, and enhanced connected performance to enable scalable, brand-ready refill across retail environments. About Dr. Bronner’s Dr. Bronner’s is a family-owned company known for high-quality organic personal care products and ethical business practices. About Ecourage Ecourage builds smart liquid refill systems that help brands and retailers transition from single use to reuse with minimal supply chain disruption. Contact: Jennifer Arnold | jenny@ecourage-global.com