The funding will go towards installing four Polytag Plastic Detection Units across the country as part of a project.
The units 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 a broader initiative to invest in and revolutionise recycling in Wales, reducing reliance on single-use plastics.
By scanning Polytag’s UV watermarks affixed to products, the Plastic Detection Units, developed in partnership with Welsh company EBS, gather data on the types and quantities of materials being recycled at barcode level.
Polytag has said the scheme is a “pivotal opportunity” for Welsh businesses and brands to gain insights into the entire lifecycle of their product packaging, from production to disposal, and ultimately to measure how much is recycled.
Opening the door to learning
Alice Rackley, CEO of Polytag, said: “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.
“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.”
A lot of the research behind this innovative technology is being conducted at the Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (AMRC) in North Wales.
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