Ecotrace programme attains new milestone with Polytag unit installation at Casepak

Polytag has announced the successful installation of a new Polytag detection unit at Casepak’s facility in Leicester.

This deployment extends the infrastructure of the Ecotrace Programme, a major industry led initiative dedicated to enhancing transparency in packaging recycling. The new unit strengthens the network infrastructure essential for the large scale, barcode level tracking of recycled packaging.

The programme is an example of fruitful collaboration driving the circular economy forward. It is spearheaded by crucial funding from leading retailers including Marks & Spencer , Ocado Retail, and Waitrose & Partners. Polytag recognises the support of the team at Casepak Ltd, including Steve Gough and James Armitage, for their commitment to the initiative.

Jon Anderson, CTO at Polytag, said: ‘The successful integration of our latest detection unit at Casepak is a pivotal moment for the Ecotrace Programme. Every installation brings us closer to a fully transparent, scalable, and verifiable recycling system. Our technology is not merely about capturing the scale of recycling – it is about providing granular, reliable data that validates the entire packaging lifecycle and ensures the integrity of the circular economy. We are proud to work with the forward thinking teams at Casepak and the Valpak Group to make this vision a reality.’

Steve Gough, CEO at Valpak Limited, said: ‘As the packaging industry progresses towards greater responsibility and clearer data under schemes such as Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR), the need for verifiable, barcode level data is paramount. Our partnership with Polytag on the Ecotrace Programme ensures that the recycling process at Casepak is not only efficient but is also fully transparent. This capability assists our producer members in meeting their obligations and furnishes them with the confidence that their packaging is being tracked and verified to the highest standard, thereby driving true circularity.’

The installation, carried out by a Polytag technician, further enhances the programme’s ability to prove that innovation, transparency, and partnership can fundamentally reshape the future of recycling.