Based in Deeside, North Wales, Polytag is reshaping how packaging is tracked and measured across recycling systems. With support from the Welsh Government’s Innovation team through a Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP), the company has enhanced its technology, accelerated its route to market and improved visibility across the circular economy.
Founded in 2018, the company develops software that enables packaging to be identified, tracked and measured throughout its lifecycle. This approach helps organisations understand what happens to materials after use, while supporting compliance with evolving environmental policy and improving recycling outcomes. As a result, it is enabling better decision-making across the packaging value chain.
Through a 24-month KTP, which began in autumn 2023 and was delivered in collaboration with AMRC Cymru and the University of Sheffield, the business embedded a specialist KTP associate within the company.
KTPs help organisations innovate and grow by linking them with academic or research partners and a specialist associate, bringing new skills and expertise into the business.
Working at the heart of the organisation, the associate applied expertise in systems engineering, scientific modelling and process optimisation, while also connecting the team to wider academic knowledge and facilities.
Jonathan Anderson, Chief Technology Officer at Polytag, said: “The KTP gave us access to a significant amount of expertise across different disciplines, as well as facilities and equipment that we wouldn’t have had at our scale. It meant we could take on more complex engineering and research challenges in a structured way.”
The KTP enabled the company to:
- Embed specialist engineering and scientific expertise directly into the business.
- Re-engineer its traceability systems to improve performance, accuracy and cost efficiency.
- Access academic facilities, equipment and research capabilities to support development.
- Strengthen internal processes, including supply chains.
The partnership helped the company move from technical development into real-world application, with trial deployments and retailer collaborations supporting further growth.
Jonathan Anderson added: “It’s different to other schemes because you’re bringing in someone with a strong academic background who is supported by the university throughout. That means you get more tangible results - it’s much more like a research project with direct involvement than a traditional placement.”
As a result of this innovation activity, the company has:
- Delivered trial installations across multiple recycling and sorting facilities in the UK and France.
- Secured customer trials with major retailers including M&S, Waitrose, Ocado and Aldi.
- Improved its commercial readiness, supporting further investment and growth opportunities.
- Developed a strong, ongoing collaboration with AMRC Cymru, leading to further joint projects.
By improving visibility across packaging systems, Polytag is supporting better recycling outcomes and contributing to the transition towards a circular economy. This aligns closely with Welsh Government priorities around climate and nature, while also supporting economic growth through business expansion and new commercial opportunities.
The KTP has also contributed to skills development by enabling knowledge exchange between industry and academia, strengthening capability across both partners and supporting innovation in Wales.
Find out more about how a Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) can support your organisation. Visit Business Wales Innovation to learn more.