Smart Molding International 2-2021

IML & IMD 21 www.smart-molding.com ‘green’ plastics are already collected and recycled in a traditional recycling system, and ‘red’ plastics are not re - cyclable. ‘Yellow’ plastics are theoreti - cally recyclable but not actually being recycled. There are various reasons for this: lack of appropriate recycling streams, not having collection systems in place, difficulty sorting the plastics, or not having an existing market for the recycled components. In identi - fying ‘yellow’ plastics, Orkla revealed the products with the greatest poten - tial for improved recyclability. Green light for yellow plastics For their next step, they worked with the experts at Verstraete IML to intro - duce Digimarc barcodes into the pack - aging of one of their most prominent products. The Interactive IML labels of Verstraete IML - labels printed with a Digimarc barcode - open the door to new and improved recycling streams. It makes plastics easy to scan, which means automatic sorting is much more accurate. With Digimarc barcodes, ‘yellow’ plastics are more easily identified, sort - ed and ultimately, recycled. Thanks to improved recycling streams, more and more ‘yellow’ plastics will be given the green light and merged into the circu - lar economy. Further interactive features The possible applications for Digimarc barcodes go far beyond just sorting. Scanning technology and augmented reality apps have the potential to pro - vide information in an entertaining way. For Orkla, this is one of the most excit - ing aspects of this technology. "We are creating ways to actively engage with consumers," explains Komurka. "With Digimarc, we can alter how people view waste. For example, when a bottle is empty, it becomes unwanted - something to be gotten rid of. Now imagine if, in - stead of just throwing this away, the consumer could scan the bottle with their smartphone and be shown new possibilities. We could present ideas and provide examples, from reuse op - tions to new products created at the end of a recycling stream. We could make this fun; not only amaze them with the technology and information, but provide a story that they, them - selves, are a part of. With Digimarc, we’re able to explore an exciting new world of opportunities." Future recycling Orkla is committed to maximising recycling and managing plastic waste responsibly. However, the future is far from set when it comes to recycling be - ing the only option. "Recycling is cur - rently the best method available, but who’s to say this won’t change in the future?" muses Komurka. "The history of plastic is very short. Could recycling bring new and unforeseen threats? Perhaps the ultimate answer will be something we haven’t even considered yet. Unless we are willing to ask new questions. As times change and new technologies are developed, new op - tions are sure to emerge." Current status For now, Orkla is focused on contrib - uting to HolyGrail 2.0 with the imple - mentation and further proliferation of Digimarc barcodes. The first step in this process is to test the waters by introducing interactive IML across a wide range of packaging materials. "We couldn’t be more pleased with the co-operation and service offered by Verstraete IML. Not only does the new packaging improve recyclability, but it looks fantastic," reflects Komurka. Following the market release of these products, Orkla will move to - wards the next phase in optimising re - cycling: overhauling the waste stream. Nobody may know what that future of plastic looks like just yet, but with Digi - marc barcodes and a thirst for innova - tion, Orkla is paving the way to new possibilities. Verstraete IML www.verstraete-iml.com Interactive IML labels are IML labels enhanced with a Digimarc Barcode. Interactive IML transforms the pack - age into an intelligent packaging, offering added value in all stages of the packaging journey. This pow - erful label technology offers great benefits for packaging converters, distributors, brand owners, retailers as well as consumers. Pictures: Verstraete IML