Interket and Polytag unveil commercially ready UV-label for real-time EPR compliance
A significant breakthrough for packaging transparency and Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) compliance is now commercially available to food and drink manufacturers, following the launch of a new UV-readable label solution developed through a strategic partnership between Interket UK and UK recycling technology innovator, Polytag.
After a rigorous 12-month research and development program, the complete label solution — manufactured by Interket with Polytag’s UV tags embedded directly into the artwork — enables brands to verify the recycling of individual packaging items at the barcode level, providing real-time, item-level recycling data.
The technology is being rolled out as part of Polytag’s Ecotrace programme, an industry-led initiative rapidly deploying UV-tag detection systems within materials recovery facilities (MRFs). With 15 Ecotrace systems expected to be operational by the end of 2025, the network will cover over half of the UK’s household waste stream, meeting the FMCG industry’s demand for a scalable, non-disruptive compliance tool.
The intensive development phase focused on ensuring the labels perform reliably at scale in real-world recycling environments. Interket and Polytag conducted extensive trials to perfect UV ink density, print consistency across various substrates, and tuning detection algorithms for reliable read-rates under high-speed MRF conditions. Full migration testing and production validation have confirmed the solution is technically robust and safe for widespread deployment.
Tim Pattison, MD of Interket UK, noted the collaboration was key to success. “From the outset, our teams worked closely to align on technical objectives, share expertise, and tackle the challenges of creating a UV label that would perform reliably at scale, in real-world recycling environments,” he said.
The UV label solution is already being deployed by retail brands, including Ocado and M&S, proving its viability and reliability within the industry’s first high-coverage UV detection network.
For manufacturers, the proven technology provides an immediate path to enhanced compliance and data insights that are becoming essential for sustainability reporting.
“Our partnership with Interket UK has delivered a breakthrough for brands seeking clarity, compliance, and actionable recycling data,” added Alice Rackley, CEO and founder of Polytag. “With Ecotrace rolling out nationwide, this UV label solution is enabling a new era of transparency and EPR accountability, and we’re excited to see the industry begin using it at scale.”
Interket confirmed that the ability to adopt UV-readable labels without disrupting existing packaging production lines means manufacturers can accelerate the UK’s transition to a transparent, circular recycling system while gaining unprecedented control over their packaging data.
