Aldi and Arla kick off eight week milk bottles trial that tracks recycling using Polytag UV tags
Aldi and Arla are collaborating with Polytag on a pilot to track milk bottle packaging through the recycling process using UV tagging technology.
Building on their 2023 tie up, the companies are working to improve packaging traceability and better understand how milk bottle packaging moves through the recycling system through this next phase of the pilot. This project utilises Sun Chemical's specially developed ink on wrap-around labels to provide recycling data. UV tagged labels are being applied to Arla's milk bottle range at its Oakthorpe site. The labels, printed by Saica Flex, will enable real-time tracking of packaging.
Luke Emery, Plastics and Packaging Director, Aldi UK, says: "This next phase with Polytag represents an exciting step forward in how we use data to drive our sustainability strategy. By integrating this advanced traceability technology into our packaging, we can gain deeper insights into the lifecycle of our materials.”
Helena Delgado Nordmann, head of sustainability at Arla Foods UK, comments: "As Europe’s largest dairy cooperative, Arla is committed to understanding how our packaging performs beyond point of sale. By working with Polytag, we hope to gain valuable insight into how milk bottle packaging moves through the recycling system, helping us to make more informed decisions about future packaging developments and supporting our ongoing efforts to improve packaging circularity.”
Stefaan D’hoore, Director of Business Development, Specialty Inks & Coatings at Sun Chemical, says: "This next phase of the collaboration showcases Sun Chemical's proprietary fluorescent ink technology for wrap-around labels. The ink has been tested against Recyclass’ Washing Quick Test Procedures and EPBP Quicktest QT 507 with good results.”
“It has also been approved for use on labels designed to be optimally detected by Polytag's ink-agnostic detection units, helping to deliver robust recycling data and doesn’t impact the quality of the recycled polymers. This deployment marks an exciting milestone as the first commercial use of Sun Chemical's fluorescent ink with Polytag's technology, demonstrating how collaboration across the packaging value chain can support greater transparency and help accelerate the transition to a more circular economy."
Alice Rackley, CEO at Polytag, says: "This next phase deployment with Aldi and Arla milk bottle labels demonstrates the scalability and reliability of the UV-tagging solution. It's been a pleasure working with Saica Flex to deliver this latest stage of the project, demonstrating the value of collaboration in bringing innovative packaging solutions to market. This represents continued progress in packaging design, offering brands a seamless, cost-effective path to comprehensive recycling insights."
2026 RTIH Innovation Awards
Green retail will be a key focus area at the 2026 RTIH Innovation Awards.
The awards are now open for entries and celebrate global retail technology innovation in a fast moving omnichannel world.
Our winners will be revealed at the 2026 RTIH Innovation Awards Ceremony, taking place at The HAC in Central London on Wednesday, 4th November.
Check out our 2025 winners here.
Our 2025 hall of fame entrants were revealed during a sold out event which took place at The HAC on 16th October and consisted of a drinks reception, three course meal, and awards ceremony presided over by award winning comedian, actress and writer Tiff Stevenson.
In his welcome speech, Scott Thompson, Founder and Editor, RTIH, said: “This is the awards’ fifth year as a physical event. We started off with just 30 people at the South Place Hotel not far from here, then moved to London Bridge Hotel, then The Barbican, and last year RIBA’s HQ in the West End.”
“But I’m conscious of the fact that, to quote the legend that is Taylor Swift, You’re only as hot as your last hit, baby. So, this year we’ve moved to our biggest venue yet, and also pulled in our largest number of entries to date and broken attendance records.”
He added: “This year’s submissions have without doubt been our best yet. To quote one of the judges: The examples of innovative developments across both traditional and digital retail spaces were truly remarkable.”
Congratulations to our winners, and a big thank you to our sponsors, judging panel, the legend that is Tiff Stevenson, and all those who attended our 2025 gathering.
