Smart Molding International 2-2021

5 www.smart-molding.com contents 44 Orkla worked with the experts at Verstraete IML to introduce Digimarc barcodes into the packaging of one of their most prominent products. These interactive IML labels open the door to new and improved recycling streams. It makes plastics easy to scan, which means automatic sorting is much more accurate. Moving to a circular economy will see plastic waste greatly reduced through effective recycling systems. But achieving this goal requires a shift in focus: plastics need to be designed to be recycled, right from the get-go. TPE materials are already widely used in automotive interiors, for example in mats, grips and sealings. However, until recently, thermoplastic elastomers have not been viable for large scale trim because these applications have much higher specifications regarding abrasion behaviour, processability and heat resistance. The new Dryflex HiF TPE grades fulfil these requirements and are injection mouldable, making them an interesting alternative to PU coating, PVC slush moulding or TPO foil processes. A smartphone that sets new standards for lightness, slim design and sustainability is making its debut on the market this spring: the Carbon 1 MK II from Carbon Mobile. "Designed and engineered in Germany, the Carbon 1 MK II reignites miniaturization and drives sustainability in connected devices by replacing plastics and aluminum with advanced composite materials for the first time", says Firas Khalifeh, CEO of Carbon Mobile. The base material for the production of the housing is a thermoplastic composite from the LANXESS Tepex dynalite product range. 20 The digital watermarks are codes the size of postage stamps which are applied directly to the surface of a product or to its label but are not visible to end users and consumers. The individual tile patterns are created through micro-topological variations in the carrier material and multiplied to create a graph which resembles a mosaic. They create a “digital passport” of which a fragment is enough to call up information about the manufacturer, for example, or about the materials processed and whether or not the packaging is suitable for food. 22 48