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Quantifying recycled content in plastics and packaging

About Us

We are a recent University of Manchester not-for-profit spin-out company that provides a low cost, simple, and reliable method of quantifying recycled content in plastic products and packaging.

Our patented fluorescent marking technology underpins our trust mark scheme, which can be printed on product labels to certify recycled content, in partnership with OPRL.

Our technology can also be used for reporting on the UK’s plastic packaging tax.

Our Technology & Approach

Our approach involves a rapid and quantitative fluorescence-based analysis method to determine and verify recycled content. 

Measurements can be applied directly to a plastic material, product, or a component of a product and be used as a quality control method. Within less than 5 minutes, the recycled content of the product can be reliably assessed to 5-10 wt%. 

Our technique works with most high volume plastics used for packaging, including polyethylene (HDPE and LDPE), polypropylene (PP) and poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) with no impact on material properties. 

Our fluorescent marker is invisible to the naked eye and has FDA approval for plastics used in food contact applications.

We use a multi-branched verification method to ensure that recyclate marking remains fraud-proof. 

Zoé Schyns (Director / Inventor / PhD Student). Dr Thomas Bennett (Director / Research Fellow). Dr Margaret Bates (Director / OPRL Managing Director). Prof Michael Shaver (Director / Inventor / Professor). Dr Gemma Davison (Analytical Scientist).

We’re looking for support to grow ReCon2 to the next stage. Use the form below to find out how you can get involved.

A not-for-profit company limited by shares. Registered Address: Floor 6, Henry Royce Institute, the University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester, M13 9PL, United Kingdom. Company No. 13913183.