“Unparallelled insight for brand owners” is the promise after tech companies Polytag and Pellenc ST announced a new partnership aimed at shaking up waste management.
According to the two companies, this collaboration will accelerate the transition towards circularity of packaging and product traceability, supporting the implementation of European Union packaging and packaging waste regulation.
Pellenc ST designs and manufacturers intelligent sorting and quality control solutions for the waste and recycling industry, while Polytag is a data platform provider specialising in packaging information within the circular economy. This non-exclusive partnership merges advanced sorting technology with innovative invisible UV watermark-based tracking which the companies hope will enhance material recovery and traceability.
It combines France-based Pellenc ST’s expertise in sensor-based sorting with UK-headquartered Polytag’s data management, and will enable real-time tracking and optimisation of packaging waste through the recycling process from material recycling facilities to recyclers.
Thanks to the tie-up, packaging that has been watermarked by Polytag can be detected as it enters the waste system and prompts sorting actions. Ultimately, the move presents new capabilities to detect and sort waste streams.
By embedding smart data at barcode level directly into packaging materials, the collaboration empowers waste management companies and brand owners with unprecedented control of the recycling journey of their products, with the hope more packaging stays within the circular economy as a result.
Alice Rackley, CEO of Polytag, said: “Our partnership with Pellenc ST marks a significant milestone for circularity.
“By combining our UV watermark technology, powered by GS1 standards, with their smart sorting and quality control solutions, we are giving brand owners unparalleled insight into their recycled packaging, reinforcing sustainability and traceability in the value chain.”
Jean Henin, CEO of Pellenc ST, added: “Open standards are critical to implement Digital Product Passports.
“By partnering with Polytag, we are empowering recycling facilities with innovative tools to optimise sorting processes and enhance material recovery.”
The two companies have implemented a sorting prototype at the Pellenc ST Innovation Centre. The French organisation also plans to manufacture UV reader modules.
Read more about Polytag on Green Retail World
[image credit: Polytag/Pellenc ST]
