Security Matters Limited (ASX: SMX) has successfully completed marking recycled plastics by studying the impact of gravimetric and volumetric feeding methods on final PCR readings and verifying that.
The company, which is focused on digitising physical objects on the blockchain to create a circular and transparent solution for the closed loop economy, said this successful trial comes as the UK and other countries have or will soon implement their recycled Plastic Packaging Tax Legislations.
The compounding master batch and extrusion processes of these trials were performed on a pilot scale in a fully commercial and industrial facility.
The marker, master batch (MB), was successfully added into Post Consumer Recyclate (PCR) during the compounding phase by a recycling facility.
During each melt extrusion a new marker system was incorporated via a MB form to indicate the start of a new loop. Throughout production days of the trials, SMX was tested with blind tests to ensure SMX’s capabilities were successfully completed.
The marked PCR pellets were sent to a bottles manufacturer to produce different bottle configurations to validate the accuracy and precision of PCR in the bottles.
The SMX team successfully demonstrated the ability to manage the process remotely, ensuring the viability of industrial scale adoption. The marked PCR and bottles were scanned using an SMX handheld portable reader.
All readings were digitally recorded on a digital platform for traceability. The methodology utilised approximately 50 different bottles, produced with different inclusion levels, layer configurations and pigment choices, which were produced in the three loops: Following these trials, it was found that:
- In all cases the quantification of the PCR was successful
- The layers configuration didn’t affect the accuracy of the PCR reading
- Addition of pigments didn’t affect our detectability
- Regrinding material had no effect on detectability
- No sensitivity to thickness variation
SMX Founder and CEO, Haggai Alon, said the successful trial provides plastic manufacturer and importing companies with a proof of concept, enabling them to accurately identify and audit, via an automated transparent reporting system, the polymer type, number of loops and the amount of recycled content despite the size and colour of the plastic.
He said that as a result, these companies will be well positioned to promote their operations as being sustainable and environmentally friendly. Combined with SMX’s ability to digitally certify the materials, clients will have the ability to avoid human/manual-paper auditing and use technology/automated auditing, thus reducing the potential for human errors and providing increased cost savings.
Since COP26, companies have seen the need to accurately identify and increase the use of recycled content within all their products. SMX has the unique ability and solution to be able to track, trace, certify and authenticate all gas, liquid, and solid products across a supply chain from raw material, through production, to product and waste and recycle and reuse.
SMX is extremely proud of the successful outcome of these trials which will enable companies to join the global sustainability effort and to comply with the new plastic regulations as they endeavour to meet their business goals ,” Mr Alon said.
“Our revolutionary and innovative technology will provide companies with not only an economical solution to identify and report transparently on their recycled content used in plastic packaging, but also remove their dependency on human and paper auditing. The ability to recycle and reuse plastics efficiently and cost effectively, ensures a more sustainable future for the planet.”
