Validation of Tests & New Entrants Propel Digital Watermarking Solutions Forward in HolyGrail 2.0 Trials

The semi-industrial trials of the HolyGrail 2.0 project for plastic recycling began recently with a successful trial at a testing facility in Pertuis, France. Digimarc and machine vendor, Pellenc ST, had developed add-on modules for the detection sorting units—to detect Digimarc Watermarks—and the two teams ran the units through two important sorting tests.

The first test successfully validated that plastic items enhanced with Digimarc Watermarks would be accurately identified and ejected (sorted) into the output box at a rate of greater than 95%. The second sorting test successfully demonstrated that only HDPE (High-Density Polyethylene) and PP (Polypropylene) packaging with Digimarc Watermarks would be ejected; several categories of plastic without Digimarc Watermarks, such as Tetrapak, PET (Polyethylene Terephthalate) and LDPE (Low-Density Polyethylene) were not ejected, therefore providing important evidence of the accuracy of plastic sorting with Digimarc.

Along with the news of the successful testing, the HolyGrail 2.0 project has also recently added Amazon to the Leadership Team (it includes such companies as Pepsico and Nestle), as well as welcoming to the Advisory Group the World Wildlife Fund, whose mission is to “conserve nature and reduce the most pressing threats to the diversity of life on Earth.” The purpose of the Advisory Group is to support the Leadership Team with both strategic and operational advice.

Watch this video from the testing facility:

In addition to the trials, there will be demonstrations of the prototype sorting detection this fall at Amager Resource Centre (ARC) in Copenhagen, Denmark, on October 19 and November 18. Find out more about Digimarc and its participation in the HolyGrail 2.0 Project.