Polytag and MCC Global advance in-mold labeling for traceability

Polytag, has partnered with Multi-Color Corporation Global (MCC Global), a premium label solutions provider, to enable brands to incorporate Polytag's UV tag technology directly into in-mold labeled (IML) packaging. 

Polytag’s UV tag is described as an invisible digital fingerprint that is readable by specialized detection units installed at Material Recovery Facilities. These carry “detailed” packaging-specific data that cannot be determined only through the use of images, according to the company. 

The UK-based data capture and marketing platform Polytag outlines that the collaboration extends packaging traceability capabilities to a broader range of applications. This is said to include products where conventional labels may not be suitable or durable enough, such as frozen foods.

Alice Rackley, CEO at Polytag, says: “Working with MCC allows us to extend the reach of our technology, and scale into new packaging formats, helping brands access valuable recycling data while preparing for the future of connected packaging and digital product information.”

Nico Van de Walle, senior product and circularity manager at MCC Global IML, adds: “The packaging industry is entering a period of transformation as brands prepare for greater product transparency and the wider adoption of connected packaging technologies. By combining MCC's expertise in IML with Polytag’s technology, we're helping bring connected packaging to more products and more consumers.”

Packing broad data inputs

The data is said to include information such as material composition, recycled content, manufacturing content, and material origin. The company says this supports the identification and sorting of packaging waste based on attributes that it identifies as “critical” to recycling outcomes. It says this process results in higher-quality recycled material streams.

Additionally, the data is fed back to brands through the Polytag platform, which helps offset EPR fees and inform packaging design and on-pack information to increase recyclability. 

The technology has previously been deployed on milk bottles for supermarket chains and retailers, such as Waitrose and Ocado. 

Traceability technology 

The partners aim to jointly scale IML technology for packaging to boost traceability regardless of material and packaging type.

Recently, Polytag and MCC Global collaborated to bring Polytag’s technology to Happy Cow’s faux brand tub packaging to show how connected packaging and advanced sorting technologies can work together to improve material recovery and traceability for IML packaging types.

Jon Anderson, chief technology officer at Polytag, comments: “For connected packaging to deliver real value, it needs to work across as many packaging formats as possible.”

“Extending our technology into IML packaging is an important step forward. It allows brands to gain deeper insight into what happens to packaging after use, as well as gathering data to support better recycling and circularity goals.”

Recently, Kraft Heinz also joined Polytag’s Ecotrace program, which uses UV tag technology to capture data on single-use plastic packaging.

At Rethinking Materials 2026, Rackley told us that traceability and end-of-life issues can be barriers to sustainable material adoption. Kraft Heinz stressed the need for cross-industry collaboration in achieving circular packaging solutions.