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Recon^2

  • Schyns, Zoe (Participant)
  • Shaver, Michael (Participant)
  • Bennett, Thomas (Participant)

Impact: Economic, Environmental, Awareness and understanding, Attitudes and behaviours, Technological

Public summary

Researchers from the Sustainable Materials Innovation Hub have developed a novel solution to identify the quantity of post-consumer recycled materials used in the production of plastics and part of the Recon2 project (Recycled Content Reconnaissance).The group’s latest innovation utilises a fluorescent marker that can be added to raw polymer materials during standard recycling processes. Subsequent dilution of the marked recyclate induces a change in the concentration of the fluorescent marker and alters the material’s fluorescent behaviour. Measurements of modified fluorescent behaviour allows quantification of recycled content. The research group now have a patent in place for the fluorescent marking system and continue to trial its use on a variety of plastics including HDPE, PET and PP.
Impact dateNov 2020
Category of impactEconomic, Environmental, Awareness and understanding, Attitudes and behaviours, Technological
Impact levelBenefit

Research Beacons, Institutes and Platforms

  • Sustainable Futures
  • Sustainable Consumption Institute
  • Henry Royce Institute
  • Manchester Environmental Research Institute
  • Advanced materials

Documents & Links

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