43 PRODUCTS PETplanet Insider Vol. 24 No. 05/23 www.petpla.net PETproducts Consistently high speed achieved with recyclable sleeves Standard PETG sleeve labels remain a major challenge for recycling systems because it is impossible to separate them dependably from the crystallised PET that bottles are made of. This may reduce a recycling system’s efficiency. The label manufacturer CCL has developed the EcoFloat sleeves which consist of polyolefin. They possess a lower density than the PET that bottles are made of. This allows the sleeve labels to be separated from the bottles in recycling systems, using the sink-float method. In a field test conducted on a high-speed Pepsi-Co line in Rodgau, Germany, a sleeving machine from Krones has now successfully dressed 0.5 l and 1.5 l Lipton Iced Tea bottles in these recyclable EcoFloat polyolefin sleeve labels, which are applied using the following kit: a Sleevematic TS sleeve labeller with a Multireel S magazine for the sleeve reels, a Shrinkmat steam tunnel, and two Linadry container dryers, one installed upstream of the labeller and the other one downstream of the steam tunnel. In order to maximise both machine availability and efficiency with the EcoFloat sleeves, the Sleevematic TS has been equipped with special add-on components suitable for processing polyolefin, like specifically adapted rollers and cutting tools. It took one day to install them, with the machine then immediately reaching top speed and maximum efficiency. The shrink-fit quality obtained with the EcoFloat sleeves is at a high level, similar to that achieved with standard PETG sleeve labels. So the Sleevematic TS is able to process polyolefin sleeves with minimal adjustments to its design. www.ccllabel.com www.krones.com Multi-functional label technology Recycling technology providor, Polytag, is set to apply QR codes and UV tags to Co-op own-label PET 2 l spring water bottles in an industry-first, offering the convenience retailer visibility of its packaging during the recycling process. The unique-every-time QR codes will be applied to the pack labels by Co-op’s bottled water supplier at the standard label application speeds. The QR codes are GS1 compliant. A UV tag layer, invisible to the human eye, printed by Tipografic using UV flexographic inks, is applied across the label. This UV tag layer enables barcode level information to be captured in the recycling centre and is uploaded to Polytag’s cloud-based analytics dashboard, providing the retailer with real-time insights on whether packaging is actually recycled, and in what volumes. The UV tag reading technology was developed by Polytag in partnership with researchers at the Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre. It is fitted to the plastics conveyer at Abergele’s Gofer Bulking Centre in Wales. Both the visible QR codes and ‘hidden’ UV tags pave the way for a cost-effective, Digital Deposit Return Scheme (DDRS). In future, scanning the unique QR code on used product packaging, has the potential to allow consumers to reclaim their deposit via their smartphones, from home. The printing of UV tags provides key supply chain stakeholders – manufacturers, retailers and recycling authorities – access to unique packaging lifecycle data, including where and when it was produced and the percentage of recycled material it contains, protecting against fraud. For this trial, the QR codes will be used as a communication tool, transporting customers to the landing page when scanned. Furthermore, with Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) on the horizon, brands classed as obligated packaging producers maybe required to benchmark their progress. Both on-pack QR codes and UV tags will provide brands with the data to easily ‘describe, tag and trace’ their plastic packaging through the circular economy, while also streamlining packaging and recycling operations. At the same time, the technology will allow legislators to measure business liabilities and enforce legislation by identifying ownership of plastic packaging: Local authorities and recycling centres can capture real-time data on packaging composition and breakdown of bales, to help inform recycling strategy, investment in sorting and recovery equipment, and onward tracking of materials. www.polytag.co.uk
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