Supermarket chain Aldi, dairy cooperative Arla, and tech company Polytag are working together on an eight-week trial, in which milk bottle packaging will be tracked through the recycling process.<\/p>\n
Using Polytag\u2019s UV-tagging technology, the trial aims to chart the lifecycle of product packaging with real data. Ultimately, the aim of using this technology is for brands and retailers to measure packaging recycling progress against their wider sustainability targets and ensure they are making data-informed decisions to identify opportunities where performance can be improved.<\/p>\n
This latest pilot programme builds on a 2023 collaboration<\/a>, with the brands still working to improve packaging traceability and to better understand how milk bottle packaging moves through the recycling system. This project uses Sun Chemical\u2019s specially developed ink on wraparound packaging labels to provide what Polytag<\/a> describes as \u201ccomprehensive recycling data\u201d.<\/p>\n The UV-tagged labels are applied to Arla\u2019s milk bottle range at its Oakthorpe site. The labels, printed by Saica Flex, will enable real-time tracking of packaging as it moves through the recycling stream.<\/p>\n Luke Emery, plastics & packaging director at Aldi UK,\u00a0commented: \u201cThis next phase with Polytag represents an exciting step forward in how we use data to drive our sustainability strategy.<\/p>\n \u201cBy integrating this advanced traceability technology into our packaging, we can gain deeper insights into the lifecycle of our materials.\u201d<\/p>\n Helena Delgado Nordmann, head of sustainability at Arla Foods UK, added: \u201cAs Europe\u2019s largest dairy cooperative, Arla is committed to understanding how our packaging performs beyond point of sale.<\/p>\n \u201cBy working with Polytag, we hope to gain valuable insight into how milk bottle packaging moves through the recycling system, helping us to make more informed decisions about future packaging developments and supporting our ongoing efforts to improve packaging circularity.\u201d<\/p>\n Stefaan D\u2019hoore, director of business development, specialty inks & coatings at Sun Chemical<\/a>,\u00a0continued: \u201cThis deployment marks an exciting milestone as the first commercial use of Sun Chemical\u2019s fluorescent ink with Polytag\u2019s technology, demonstrating how collaboration across the packaging value chain can support greater transparency and help accelerate the transition to a more circular economy.\u201d<\/p>\n D\u2019hoore also noted the ink has been tested against Recyclass\u2019 Washing Quick Test Procedures and EPBP Quicktest QT 507 \u201cwith good results\u201d. He explained the ink has also been approved for use on labels designed to be optimally detected by Polytag\u2019s ink-agnostic detection units, helping generate data without impacting the quality of the recycled polymers.<\/p>\n How does the UV technology work?<\/p>\n Invisible UV tags are printed directly onto packaging labels using food-safe fluorescent ink that has undergone rigorous safety and recycling testing Alice Rackley, CEO, Polytag,\u00a0said: \u201cThis next phase of deployment with Aldi and Arla milk bottle labels demonstrates the scalability and reliability of the UV-tagging solution.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s been a pleasure working with Saica Flex<\/a> to deliver this latest stage of the project, demonstrating the value of collaboration in bringing innovative packaging solutions to market. This represents continued progress in packaging design, offering brands a seamless, cost-effective path to comprehensive recycling insights.\u201d<\/p>\n
\nThe ink is applied using standard printing methods, making it a low-cost and an option that doesn\u2019t impact production speed. Unlike the 2023 trial, which used pressure-sensitive labels, this iteration employs wraparound labels, providing enhanced durability and coverage
\nWhen tagged packaging enters the recycling stream, Polytag\u2019s plastic detection units installed at materials recovery facilities capture barcode-level data in real-time
\nInformation captured is accessible via the Polytag dashboard, providing brands and retailers with detailed visibility of their packaging\u2019s journey through the recycling process.<\/p>\n