Retailer Aldi, Store Brand Milsani Test HolyGrail 2.0 Digital Watermark Initiative

German retailer Netto also committed to using Digimarc's digital watermarking system on its store brand products in order to help test HolyGrail 2.0. Read more about the project.

Yogurt with digitally watermarked packaging

In preparation for the testing phase of the HolyGrail 2.0 initiative, Aldi South and Aldi Nord have partnered with Digimarc and Wipak to print invisible codes called digital watermarks on packaging to improve sorting of materials upon collection at end of life. Aldi’s suppliers, in collaboration with packaging converter Greiner, have ensured that 18 different Milsani kefir and yogurt flavors have been digitally enhanced with watermark technology. These products can already be found in Aldi stores across the German market.

The technology has been added to the surface of packaging to test an intelligent way to sort the materials, enabling high-quality recycling outcomes. The packaging will be detected and decoded by a high-resolution camera on the sorting line at the recycling facility, accurately separating the different materials to their corresponding streams.

Aldi spokespeople say they hope to contribute to this phase of the HolyGrail 2.0 initiative by testing the technical and economic viability of watermark technologies to improve material sorting. This trial will enable further investigation into the potential of watermark technologies as a driver of sustainable packaging. PW