| Image |
 |
| Project |
Digimarc Recycle |
| Brand(s) |
Various: P&G, Nestle, KraftHeinz, Danone |
Packaged Product(s) |
Various |
| Market(s) |
France (European Pilot Market); Canada (pending) |
Release to Market(s) |
2023 |
| Manufacturer |
Digimarc Recycle Digital Watermarks Initiative HolyGrail 2.0 |
Material(s) |
Various, Canadian focus is flexible plastic packaging |
| Summary |
- Watermarks are used for other purposes than recycling, including material tracking for inventory purposes, or digital communication with consumer.
- The HolyGrail 2.0 project announced 2022 results from European trials that showed that Digimarc’s technology achieved a 99% average detection rate across all tested categories of plastic packaging.
- Watermark can be added through printing (well-suited for flexible) or through slight embossment on rigid product mold. Printing requires less effort compared to embossment. This is one reason CPT focused on flexible.
- Validated in Canada in 2022 with a 99% detection rate for films and flexibles a pilot with the Circular Plastics Taskforce (CPT).
- Results show consistent behavior no matter the type of material used, the form factor, or the type of comingled waste.
- Provider claims that the digital identify helps authenticate products with anti-counterfeit packaging – helping ensure consumer safety, and confidence in the brand.
- CPT research indicates that, for flexibles, recyclers are more likely to utilize the technology than MRFs
- Main challenge is getting enough watermarked packaging to make the business case viable for recyclers.
|
| References |
Circular Plastics Taskforce
Pending collaborative study on improving the recovery and recycling rates of flexible plastics collected from Canadian households |
