FachPack 2021: Paccor premiers “digital ecosystem” for intelligent plastics packaging recycling

04 Oct 2021 --- Paccor has premiered a cloud-based “digital ecosystem” for increasing plastic packaging recycling levels through intelligent product identities at FachPack 2021 in Nuremberg, Germany.

PackagingInsights caught up with Paccor’s CEO Andreas Schütte during the show to discuss the Paccor Cloud Solutions database, digital watermarking and the Holy Grail 2.0 project’s progress, and consumer perceptions of plastic after the COVID-19 experience.

“Paccor Cloud Solutions is a holistic set of different solutions. The first step is to provide our packaging with the potential to identify the material,” says Schütte.

“We have mastered the challenge of bringing the digital watermark into the packaging, not only on the label, but really into the packaging, which will allow for identification throughout the value stream and later at recycling for material separation and, therefore, a closed-loop system.”

Linking the value chain
Digital watermarks can be scanned for specific product information anywhere using intelligent identification systems, offering advantages for all stakeholders.

Waste management companies can differentiate between food and non-food packaging in the sorting process, while food producers can add food-specific information, such as filling date and location and nutritional values.

Moreover, retailers can scan the new, full-surface watermarks faster at cash registers, while end consumers who want to purchase a packaged food product can see the exact characteristics of the packaging and its content by scanning the watermark.Andreas Schütte, Paccor CEO, speaking at FachPack 2021 in Nuremberg, Germany.

By using Paccor’s tailor-made app, further information is accessible. In addition to packaging and product features, information on transport routes, sales prices, discounts and menu recommendations are also provided.

Finally, the digital code on the packaging also serves to protect branded products’ economic value by preventing counterfeiting. With the digital watermark, the origin of a product can be traced at any place and any time.

Aligning Holy Grail 2.0 workflows
Paccor is partnered with Digimarc, the European Brands Association (AIM) and other leading packaging suppliers on the Holy Grail 2.0 project, using digital watermarks to drive a circular economy for plastics packaging.

In September, the Holy Grail 2.0 project announced it is preparing for semi-industrial recycling trials in Copenhagen, Denmark.

Holy Grail 2.0 is widely considered a pioneering project for the future of plastics packaging recycling, but true innovation involving multiple stakeholders is never simple.

“Honestly speaking, we would have expected more [from Holy Grail 2.0 to date], but we have to recognize there are so many stakeholders engaged in this project, and everything has to be aligned,” Schütte tells PackagingInsights.

“There are certain sub-workstreams more advanced than others, but we are quite happy with the development overall.”

Giving plastic a new voice
Anti-plastic sentiment was rife before the COVID-19 pandemic, fueled by the so-called “Blue Planet effect” – in reference to the BBC’s 2017 documentary with David Attenborough, highlighting the growing issue of marine plastic pollution.

The plastics industry has remained keen to stress the material has many crucial benefits, including the ability to counter food waste, while the growing pollution issue is primarily a waste management problem.Paccor’s stand at FachPack 2021 in Nuremberg, Germany.

As Paccor CCO Nicolas Lorenzdoes reminds us, “Currently, only about 25% of plastic packaging is recycled. The rest ends up being incinerated and, unfortunately, some of it also ends up in the environment.”

“Together with Digimarc, we’ve given plastic packaging a voice – which allows us to recycle 100% of all used plastic packaging in a closed-loop recycling system. And that’s how plastic becomes an intelligent and valuable raw material.”

Moreover, Schütte believes there is now less focus on plastic’s “negative side” after the COVID-19 experience.

“It’s more recognized that plastics packaging – whether it’s flexible or rigid – does matter and has certain advantages, especially when it comes to food waste, longer shelf life, and hygienic aspects.”

“Whether [these benefits] are already sufficiently accepted by all consumers remains to be seen, but I’m sure the pendulum, which was extreme against plastics, is now coming back to a more reasonable approach.”

A note on reusability
For Schütte, FachPack threw up several recurring trends focused on environmental sustainability, namely lightweighting, mechanical and chemical recycling and digital packaging solutions.

“Also, how can we develop solutions with several cycles like a reusable cup or material, for example.”

“These are the main trends and will remain so for the coming years.”

By Joshua Poole