Technology
Technology
CurvCode offers robust sorting capabilities even when packaging is crunched and contaminated. As CurvCode does not contain or store sensitive brand-owner information, there are no bottlenecks with respect to data-ownership or privacy.
CurvCode digital watermark technology offers three unique features:
- Single purpose: effective sorting of plastic and fiber-based waste is the sole purpose of CurvCode. CurvCode software does not store any data. This avoids any issue with respect to data-ownership or privacy. However, CurvCode can easily be integrated with consumer engagement or digital passport applications.
- Low-cost: cost-control is imperative for all members of the packaging value-chain. The investment requirement for implementing CurvCode are very low compared to alternative technologies. Moreover, improved recycling rates enabled by CurvCode may lead to lower waste handling tariffs, improving overall profitability of the packaging value-chain.
- Reliable: CurvCode deploys a simple and fault-tolerant ICT architecture. CurvCode detection systems are developed using standard components like industrial PC’s, monochrome USB camera’s and LED lightning. This ensures reliable operation of CurvCode detection systems in the challenging conditions encountered in waste-handling and sorting facilities.
FiliGrade licenses CurvCode technology to participants in the plastic value-chain. We do not manufacture waste-sorting equipment. Instead, we make CurvCode technology available to manufacturers, system integrators and users of waste-sorting equipment.
The missing link in sorting
CurvCode is an important step towards a circular plastic economy: it is the intelligent sorting solution for high-quality (Food2Food) recycling of plastic, as well as fibre-based, bio-based and flexible packaging.
- Better sorting implies more plastics can be recycled, thus plastics becoming valuable. Valuable materials are no longer thrown away in nature or incinerated, but will be collected for recycling.
- CurvCode watermarks can be combined with other technologies, for example NIR and AI.
- Industrial tests will take place in the 2nd, 3rd and 4th Quarter of 2022 with a coalition of more than 40 partners throughout the chain in The Netherlands.
- First CurvCode packages in retail in NL in December 2021. Commercial introduction plans ready in late 2022 / early 2023.
Highlights Curvcode Digital Watermark technology
Functionality
Sorting
Detection
Monochrome USB camera’s 60 fps,
one Led light source and little PC power
# of codes
1024 Sorting codes for sorting on material/substrate x colour x type of layer x food vs. non food vs. hazardous materials
Database
No database required, no sensitive data are needed, collected or stored
2D Print
Easy to embed (after short training) and suitable for all printing techniques
3D Embossed
Easy and relatively cheap to embed in mould (injection moulding, thermoforming, blow moulding)
Licensing fee
Limited fee for brand owners only (has the advantage of reduced EPR fees)
HARDWARE
CurvCode Reading System is relatively cheap and easy to integrate in existing sorting stations
Highlights Curvcode Digital Watermark technology
Functionality
Sorting
Detection
Monochrome USB camera’s 60 fps, one Led light source and little PC power
# of codes
1024 Sorting codes for sorting on material/substrate x colour x type of layer x food vs. non food vs. hazardous materials
Database
No database required, no sensitive data are needed, collected or stored
2D Print
Easy to embed (after short training)
3D Embossed
Easy and relatively cheap to embed in mould
Licensing fee
limited fee for brand owners only (has the advantage of reduced EPR fees)
HARDWARE
CurvCode Reading System is relatively cheap and easy to integrate in existing sorting stations