Using Artificial Intelligence to develop a prediction model, increasing the viability of previously unrecyclable, low grade, post-consumer polymers; promoting Clean Growth through business efficiency and helping to achieve Net Zero - ColourAI

A key challenge for plastic recyclers and a major limiting factor in producing recycled polymers, is the wide variation in base polymer input materials which means that meeting the customer specification is very challenging and every batch requires a unique formulation that must be derived experimentally; unlike virgin polymer compounders - who have a standard formulation which will consistently yield a compound with the desired properties. Multiple trial and error iterations are performed to match the specification for colour, as the relationship between mixed colours is not linear (e.g. blue plus yellow inputs do not always produce green). Formulating batches can take an average of 5 iterations to achieve the desired colour - and in some instances this can take up to 20 iterations. This phase 1 technical feasibility study and follow-on phase 2 prototype system development and testing project will help deliver the Government's Clean Growth Strategy by enabling plastic recyclers and compounders to improve business and industry efficiency by reducing processing costs experienced by having to produce multiple test batches of recycled material in order to achieve the customer's colour specification.