Polytag secures £100,000+ in SBRI funding for recycling innovation project

Polytag, the leading recycling technology firm, has been awarded over £100,000 from the Small Business Research Initiative (SBRI) Centre of Excellence, funded by the Welsh Government, to install four Polytag Plastic Detection Units across the country as part of an innovation project.

The Plastic Detection Units, which scan and collect data on individual products at barcode level as they enter the recycling stream, will be placed at key material recovery facilities (MRFs) in Conwy, Gwynedd, Pembrokeshire, and Anglesey.

The funding has been granted to Polytag as part of an upcoming circular economy innovation project to help the Welsh public sector achieve net zero by 2030. With Polytag now involved, the project will become part of a broader initiative to invest in and revolutionise recycling in Wales, reducing reliance on single-use plastics and creating a circular economy.

By scanning Polytag’s UV watermarks affixed to products, the Plastic Detection Units gather invaluable data on the types and quantities of materials being recycled at barcode level, shedding light on the true composition of the recycling waste stream at any given time.

Developed in partnership with Welsh company, EBS, the four new Polytag Plastic Detection Units will reveal a full picture of the recycling landscape through their strategic deployment at MRFs estimated to support a number of progressive council districts looking to increase recycled household waste.

The scheme is a pivotal opportunity for Welsh businesses and major brands to gain insights into the entire lifecycle of their product packaging, from production to disposal, and ultimately to measure how much is recycled.

Polytag will also work with a number of regional and national brands to integrate its UV watermarks with its GS1-approved consumer-facing QR codes, creating a digital trail to trace packaging throughout the recycling journey, at the barcode level.

The combined data-driven approach backed by Welsh Government will empower policymakers, businesses, and consumers to make informed decisions and drive significant improvements in recycling efficiency and sustainability.

Alice Rackley, CEO of Polytag shared her thoughts: “This partnership is another remarkable move by the Welsh Government towards a fully circular economy. Wales has been leading in this space for years, and Polytag is privileged to become a bigger part of that. This fund will enable us to install our award-winning technology at four key sites that see large amounts of waste and recycling in Wales and help provide invaluable data that will enable brands to take responsibility for their packaging.”

“Originally a Welsh start-up, we are passionate about supporting like-minded businesses and government initiatives. This funding is just the first step to support the work Wales is already doing to raise recycling rates and open the door to brands who want to learn when, where, and how much of its packaging is recycled.”

Much of the research behind this innovative technology is being conducted at the Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (AMRC) in North Wales, further solidifying Wales's reputation as a leader in sustainable innovation.

Polytag's patented technology represents a significant advancement in understanding and improving recycling processes, contributing to a more circular economy and a sustainable future for generations to come. Learn more about Polytag here: https://polytag.io/