PRISM: Intelligent technologies to “revolutionize” sleeve recycling

04 Jul 2018 --- Plastic Packaging Recycling using Intelligent Separation tech­nologies for Materials (PRISM) is a way of rapidly sorting packaging based on intelligent labels with invisible markers that can be detected and sorted using existing systems. The labels and markers are removed completely by the recycling process.

Sorting is accomplished using modifications to existing NIR sorting machinery. The new technology can boost recycling plant yields with efficient ways of sorting materials such as PP packaging used for food, HDPE milk bottles and sleeved PET and increase recovery of food grade plastics and open up new markets for recovered plastics.

This technology uses commercial labeling and decoration methods, which are coded with high performing luminescent compounds to sort targeted streams including: food-contract plastics, bioplastics, chemical packaging, automotive palstics, black plastics and difference grades of one plastic.

PRISM aims to help manufacturers safely reuse recycled plastic bottles, which can be differentiated from plastic packaging containing dangerous chemicals as the barcodes on the labels help to identify what type of plastic the bottle is used for - whether for food or chemicals - and they are separated in the recycling stream.

Packaging marked with intelligent labels or coatings can be uniquely identified and sorted with high efficiency using high speed – throughout commercial equipment that is modified with UV lighting

This technology, offered by CCL label, offers the potential to sort a range of targeted recycled materials such as food grade PP, HDPE & PET packaging as well as others

Earlier this year, a CCL label plant based in Norfolk, UK, called on the UK Government to back the innovative label technology which will increase rates of recycling. UK newspaper Eastern Daily Press reported that CCL Label bosses met with North West Norfolk MP Sir Henry Bellingham to discuss how the project can become a reality at the King’s Lynn site. tt would take around nine to 12 months for PRISM to be fully implemented but it needed government backing to kick-start the project, says Sales director Jon Cowan.

PackagingInsights has also covered label recycling technology in the form of self-applied adhesive offered by Oerlemans packaging.

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