Security Matters, Ltd and BASF sign a binding joint development agreement to develop solutions for plastics traceability and circularity. BASF plastic additives business leverages on its expertise as a global market leader. Proprietary technology from Security Matters improves the traceability and sorting of plastics in the value chain.

Currently, recycled plastic loses its mechanical performance properties and quality compared to virgin plastic due to polymer degradation and residual impurities.

The partnership leverages BASF’s extensive experience in plastic additives, regulatory know-how, and understanding of the plastics value chain. Security Matters will contribute its technology to enable physical and digital tracking of closed loop recycling, authenticate sustainability claims and improve sorting of plastic waste. Security Matters will provide its track and trace solution that marks physical objects with a unique and unalterable chemical-based barcode and connects them to a digital twin. The barcode withstands manufacturing and recycling processes, without altering the appearance or performance of the object. Using proprietary technology, the barcode captures a wide variety of information embedded in the plastic and can be used for closing the plastic loop.

Both companies will also combine their research & development capabilities and required resources as part of the agreement.

The aim of the partnerhsip is to enable physical and digital tracking of closed loop mechanical recycling, authenticate sustainability claims and improve sorting of plastic waste.