Polytag, Saica Flex, and Paragon have joined forces to supply packaging labels with invisible UV tags, enabling the collection of real-time environmental data for brands.
The collaboration combines Polytag’s detection technology, Saica Flex’s packaging production capabilities, and Paragon Inks’ UV ink formulations.
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These new labels have been introduced on Waitrose milk cartons and are currently in use, allowing for the gathering of verified recycling information.
Printed using Paragon’s inks, the UV tags can be identified by Polytag’s systems when the packaging enters the recycling process.
Polytag CEO Alice Rackley said: “And because it’s built on GS1 global open standards, the UV tag solution is ready to scale across multiple sectors and applications, allowing brands and recyclers to participate fully in building a transparent circular economy.”
With this technology, recyclers can monitor which products are recycled, as well as recovery rates.
The data generated helps with regulatory compliance, including Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) requirements, and is accessible to brands.
The partners report that the new labels fit into existing packaging and printing operations without causing disruption.
Saica Flex has worked closely with Waitrose to ensure the rollout did not affect supply chains.
Saica Flex’s sales and marketing director Francisco Barrera said: “We knew from the start that adoption would depend on keeping things simple. Brands need solutions that fit naturally into their operations and current production environments.
“This product works across the entire packaging lifecycle, from printing through recycling with minimal disruption. It gives brands meaningful insight, while remaining practical and viable even for high-volume products like milk cartons.”
Paragon’s UV inks have undergone tests to confirm their suitability for waste management processes.
The labels are designed so that they can be processed alongside standard materials, preventing contamination of recycled outputs.
This labelling approach aims to be applicable to different types of consumer packaging, potentially extending beyond dairy to other sectors requiring traceable recycling data.
Paragon Inks global sales director Martin Fowler said: “Seeing the labels generate real data in a live waste stream validates all the work that went into development. It proves the system works as intended, and this is just the beginning – the potential for other products and sectors is enormous.”
