Alliance brings item-level recycling data to packaging
A new industry partnership between Polytag, Saica Flex and Paragon Inks is set to bring unprecedented transparency to packaging recycling, with the launch of UV‑tagged labels capable of generating real‑time, item‑level environmental data.
The collaboration brings together three areas of expertise: Polytag’s detection technology and data platform, Saica Flex’s packaging production capabilities, and Paragon Inks’ specialist UV ink systems.
The solution is already in commercial use, with UV‑tagged labels now applied to Waitrose milk cartons and actively generating verified recycling data from UK facilities.
The labels incorporate invisible UV tags printed using Paragon’s inks. Once packaging enters the waste stream, Polytag’s readers identify the tags and capture granular data on recycling behaviour. The system enables recyclers and brands to track recovery rates in real time, demonstrate compliance with Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) requirements, and share verified environmental performance data.
A key advantage is that the technology integrates directly into existing packaging workflows. Saica Flex’s work with Waitrose ensured rapid deployment without disrupting established supply chains.
“We knew from the start that adoption would depend on keeping things simple,” said Francisco Barrera, sales & marketing director at Saica Flex. “This product works across the entire packaging lifecycle with minimal disruption, giving brands meaningful insight while remaining practical even for high‑volume formats like milk cartons.”
Polytag CEO Alice Rackley added that the system’s foundation on GS1 global open standards positions it for rapid cross‑sector expansion. “The UV tag solution is ready to scale across multiple applications, enabling brands and recyclers to participate fully in building a transparent circular economy.”
Paragon Inks spent two years developing and validating the UV inks to ensure they remain detectable across colours, substrates and packaging formats—even after crushing or processing — while meeting strict food‑safety and environmental requirements.
“The inks had to perform reliably in real‑world conditions and remain fully compatible with waste management systems,” said Barbara Paterson, technical director at Paragon Inks. “Residual ink behaves in line with approved UV products, ensuring no contamination of recovered materials.”
The partnership’s impact is already visible. Saica Flex‑printed labels using Paragon’s inks are now being detected by Polytag systems in recycling facilities, providing Waitrose with live, verifiable proof of recycling.
“Seeing the labels generate real data in a live waste stream validates all the work that went into development,” said Martin Fowler, global sales director at Paragon Inks. “This is just the beginning — the potential across other products and sectors is enormous.”
All three companies emphasise that the partnership is rooted in aligned sustainability goals and a commitment to practical, scalable solutions.
“What makes this partnership work is that all three companies are aligned in purpose,” Rackley said. “From day one, the focus has been on delivering solutions that make a real difference for brands and the environment.”
With regulatory pressure increasing and brands seeking more robust environmental data, the partners say the UV‑tagged label system is ready to scale across categories including beverages, dairy and wider FMCG.
“This partnership is about more than labels,” Barrera concluded. “We’re giving brands insight and control over their environmental performance, making recycling measurable, actionable and scalable. It’s a genuine game‑changer for the industry.”
