CurvCode digital watermarks hit Dutch shelves on Multivac fish packs in recycling boost

08 Dec 2021 --- Dutch company FiliGrade Sustainable Watermarks is launching its CurvCode digital watermark system on fish packaging in the Netherlands, claiming the technology will be the “missing link” for sorting post-consumer and industrial plastics into the waste stream.

Speaking to PackagingInsights, FiliGrade’s business development director Han Meiberg says CurvCode could contribute to achieving the European Green Deal goals regarding carbon emissions reductions. 

“CurvCode is a digital watermark that describes a material or substrate like PET, polypropylene or polyethylene, it’s color (transparent, white, black, black carbon and other colors), the type of layer (single- or multi-layer) and, most importantly, if the packaging is for food or non-food,” he explains.

The codes simplify sorting materials for recycling reprocessing, thereby saving waste and preventing pollution, Meiberg continues. 

CurvCode is being launched on Bond Seafood’s recyclable packaging for fish, which is designed by Multivac and sold in Dutch Jumbo supermarkets. 

CurvCode’s design 
The length of each code is 2 cm and consists of a combination of dots with a diameter of 0.5 mm, which make up a code for a particular type of packaging. The curve itself also contains information.

CurvCode will be used on Bond Seafood packs in the Netherlands.A 3D (embossed) or 2D (printed) code is applied to the packaging, explains Meiberg. A lid, for example, could have (nearly) invisible 2D codes printed on the in-mold labeling on one side and 3D embossed codes on the other side. 

Developing the watermarks has presented FiliGrade with some significant hurdles, he adds.

“On a technological level, the challenge has been to create packaging with CurvCodes featuring sufficient height in the dots with thermoforming. Some producers were able to deliver packaging which was perfectly readable right from the start. Others needed a second run.”

“Blow molding also has its challenges, but we are making progress as more producers are willing to cooperate. Injection molding turns out to be very simple. We may not yet have a solution for all packaging, but we do see brand owners and producers are open to redesign packaging if needed in the function of recyclability.” 

The reading system 
For the detection of the codes, FiliGrade has developed a CurvCode Reading System (CRS), using basic monochrome cameras and one type of LED light. It uses minimal computing power to process the images and gives the blow-out signal when required. 

The investment in a CRS is substantially less than the price of existing technologies, claims Meiberg, and can be built by any company specialized in constructing sorting machines. Watermarking helps recyclers sort different types of waste for reprocessing.

“FiliGrade has built a demo/test machine, including a blow-out unit, and is currently building several mobile CRS systems, which will be used for industrial testing in sorting plants. In that case, the CRS will be connected to an existing blow-out system.”

Enhancing recycling
Meiberg says the CurvCode system could enhance single-use packaging recycling in Europe, of which around 40% is food packaging.

“This volume is huge and all this packaging is made from fossil fuel materials. At the moment, recycling cannot be made suitable for reuse in food packaging. This is a sorting problem we can solve, which will have a huge impact on the use of fossil raw materials and thus carbon emissions savings.”

In a recent Expert View, brand security expert Jeremy Plimmer explored how technologies like digital watermarking can take traceability and recyclability to unprecedented heights.

By Louis Gore-Langton