The technology had an average detection rate of 99 percent.

Digimarc Corp., Beaverton, Oregon, and AIM – European Brands Association, Brussels, have announced that the Digital Watermarks Initiative HolyGrail 2.0 has completed a semi-industrial trial demonstrating an average detection rate of 99 percent, while ejection and purity rates were 95 percent, on average. The organizations say the results demonstrate that Digimarc’s technology performs well across all tested categories of plastic packaging in conditions representing routine industrial operations, even at higher belt speed and when the packaging has severe soiling and crushing.

Digital watermarks are imperceptible codes that are the size of a postage stamp and carry a wide range of attributes about the consumer goods packaging that they are placed on. The aim is that once the packaging has entered a material recovery facility, the digital watermark can be detected and decoded using a high-resolution camera on the sorting line, which, based on the transferred attributes that could include whether the packaging was used for food or not, sorts the packaging in corresponding streams.

“These results emphatically prove that Digimarc digital watermarks can transform recycling,” says Digimarc CEO Riley McCormack. “What’s more, Digimarc Recycle, powered by Digimarc digital watermarks, provides the industry additional business value in addition to this core, critical enablement of a circular economy. With the exceptional performance of Digimarc digital watermarks now validated, we are excited to partner with sustainability leaders to drive meaningful impact to the planet, as well as their businesses.”

The results show that the digital watermark technology can achieve more granular sorting of end-of-life packaging at scale, such as developing separate food and other new postconsumer streams that do not exist, such as for cosmetic or detergent applications, effectively overcoming limitations of near-infrared sorting technologies. The organizations say the technology can help to drive a true circular economy for packaging.

Developed by the machine vendor Pellenc ST and the digital watermarks technology supplier Digimarc, the detection unit is now ready for industrial-scale pilots, which are planned to start later this year, according to a news release issued by AIM. Details on industrial partners and packaging scope will be released soon.

“We have achieved our objective of proving digital watermarks can increase intelligent sorting of packaging waste at scale, enabling new recycling streams that currently do not exist. This would be a fantastic leap forward in achieving the EU recycling goals,” says Michelle Gibbons, director general of AIM. “Innovation and digital are the core drivers towards the Green Transition, and this has been brought to life through HolyGrail 2.0. The engagement across the value chain by dedicated experts and teams to get to this point has been remarkable; now, market participants can decide to be part of industrial-scale pilots, to test this at an even bigger scale in Europe.”

Jacob Duer, president and CEO of the Alliance to End Plastic Waste, which provided funding for the project, says, “The HolyGrail project is an excellent example of how engaged and committed businesses coming together around a very clear goal can accelerate the development of new solutions. As we move into the next stage of in-market demonstrations, we strongly encourage more businesses and partners to join us in scaling up testing and adoption.”

The semi-industrial tests of the Pellenc ST/Digimarc prototype started in October 2021 at the Amager Resource Center in Copenhagen. The purpose was to evaluate the technology by replicating real-world industrial conditions. Comprehensive sets of tests were performed on approximately 125,000 pieces of packaging from 260 stock-keeping units, or SKUs, at a belt speed of 3 meters per second, or nearly 10 feet, with soiling/crushing and throughput representing routine industrial operations. Additional tests also were performed at a higher belt speed of 4.5 meters per second, or nearly 15 feet per seconds, with severe soiling and crushing, without loss of performance. 

Keith Pugh has been active with APWA for more than 20 years. 

The American Public Works Association (APWA), Kansas City, Missouri, has selected member Keith Pugh as its next president-elect. Previous president-elect Dan Hartman stepped down from his role, citing ongoing health issues.

“I am excited to have been chosen to fill the unexpired term of president-elect,” Pugh says. “It is a challenging role and I look forward to diving into it and helping to guide AWPA through the next year of my presidency.”   

Pugh has been active with APWA for more than 20 years, starting with serving on the Engineering and Technology Committee. He’s served on other national committees within APWA and is an active leader in the North Carolina chapter of the APWA. He is a client success manager with WithersRavenel in Asheville, North Carolina. He will assume the office of president at the Public Works Expo scheduled to be held in Charlotte, North Carolina, on August 28-31.

“APWA has an excellent process with which to fill vacancies in unfortunate situations,” says APWA President Stan Brown. “The selection of Keith Pugh as president-elect means APWA will continue to be in good hands. His breadth and depth of experience will serve the association well.”   

For additional information about the APWA, contact Jared Shilhanek, APWA marketing & communications director at jshilhanek@apwa.net or at (816) 595–5257.

The company says the HC Lift Deck is its solution to maintenance dilemmas faced by transfer station operators nationwide.

Fairbanks Scales Inc., a scale and weighing equipment company based in Overland Park, Kansas, has announced the launch of the HC Lift Deck modular truck scales, a truck weighing solution for waste transfer applications.   

Fairbanks says the HC Lift Deck is its solution to maintenance dilemmas faced by transfer station operators nationwide. The HC Lift Deck’s weighing modules may be individually lifted and removed with a front loader or other lightweight lifting equipment. Recalibrating the scale also isn’t required when a module is set back in place. Simply reset the module and get right back to weighing.   

Some of the features and benefits that the scales offer include: 

a removable deck for timely access to clean and maintain pits;  

a dual remote display so loader operators can distribute the load evenly in trailers while maximizing each load before leaving the tunnel;  

narrow modules to ensure each tire has its own scale platform and to keep the weight manageable so each platform can be removed using simple equipment;   

self-centering cones that allow the decks to be reset in place without any additional tools and to ensure no need for resetting the calibration;  

remotely located electronics that keep the electronics out of the pit, preventing rodents and trash contamination from damaging them and making cleanout easier; and  

customizable configurations to accommodate the different truck/trailers used at a facility, but with a minimal amount of scale surface area to keep maintenance and cleaning as efficient as possible. 

The company says the acquisition dramatically expands its footprint on Chicago’s south side.

LRS, a waste diversion, recycling and portable services provider based in Rosemont, Illinois, has announced the acquisition of Auburn Disposal, a third-generation-family-owned provider of waste, recycling and roll-off containers serving commercial customers in Chicago's Southland communities. Financial terms were not disclosed, and the acquisition is effective immediately.  

According to a news release from LRS, Auburn Disposal was founded in 1941 by the Petersen family and has served as a dependable, responsive, customer-focused, waste services provider to about 3,000 commercial customers. Founding family members Kirk, Todd and Ryan Petersen will serve in management positions at LRS and help densify LRS' footprint in the area.  

"LRS is proud to expand our Chicago-area roots, particularly in serving the vibrant neighborhoods and communities that form the fabric of the City's historic Southland region," says Alan T. Handley, president and CEO of LRS. "I couldn't be more excited to have Kirk and his family join the LRS team. Kirk's intellect, customer-first approach and operational prowess will be extremely accretive to LRS."  

Auburn Disposal customers will benefit from expanded services, streamlined operations and the same commitment to an exceptional customer experience.   

"LRS continues its track record as a primary acquirer of choice, providing entrepreneurs and long-standing family-run waste, recycling and portables businesses with the right partnership to ensure their company's history, legacy, and customer focus remain an important part of the business post-transaction," Handley says.   

In 2021, LRS successfully completed 22 acquisitions across the Midwest and the South-Central United States. Most recently, the company acquired Junoll Services, a roll-off and transfer station services company based in South Bend, Indiana. 

The company offers three new -7 Series wheel loaders in the United States and Canada. 

Doosan Infracore North America, Suwanee, Georgia, has launched three models of its -7 Series wheel loaders in the United States and Canada. These new 200-size-class machines include many of the same features as the larger models and are now available at Doosan dealerships.  

Similar to the -7 Series wheel loaders launched in spring 2021, this next generation of Doosan wheel loaders offers redesigned cabs with comfort features, increased bucket capacities and fuel-saving technologies.   

The three new models include the DL200-7, DL220-7 and DL250-7. The company says they are smaller than the models launched last year. They have standard bucket capacities between 2.6 and 3.3 cubic yards. All three new models are available with a high-lift option for additional dump height and reach.  

“We’re excited to offer a -7 Series iteration of our popular 200 size class wheel loaders in North America,” says Aaron Kleingartner, product and dealer marketing manager, Doosan Infracore North America. “These are among our most popular wheel loader models because of their versatility. It’s quite common for customers with these machines to purchase a hydraulic quick coupler for fast and easy attachment changes.”  

Each model of the -7 Series wheel loader can be equipped with an optional Transparent Bucket, a Doosan-exclusive technology that offers a supplemental view from a monitor inside the cab to improve operator visibility and productivity. The Transparent Bucket has two cameras with protective guarding, one mounted high and one mounted low on the front of the machine.   

“We anticipate that the Transparent Bucket will be a popular option for our Doosan -7 Series wheel loaders,” Kleingartner says. “Another new technology available in our newest Doosan wheel loaders is Situation Awareness Technology (SAT). The technology helps save fuel by automatically adjusting the engine output in real-time to the needs of the drivetrain and hydraulics. It lowers fuel consumption without reducing performance.”   

According to a news release from Doosan, the smaller models are most commonly used on construction sites, specifically for loading, grading and site prep work. They’re also operated in scrap and recycling applications where they may be paired with a grapple attachment for handling bulk materials. Grounds maintenance companies often prefer this size of wheel loader for clearing parking lots with a snow pusher or a bucket for placing snow in trucks for removal.  

For more information about the wheel loaders, click here.