CleanCell-V2: A turnkey plastic packaging cleaning hub solution, which integrates into existing supply-chains and redefines what is reusable at scale.

Growing public and legislative pressure rests on retailers and brands to reduce the devastating impacts of the plastic waste crises, caused by the consumption of their products. Solutions are required that enable plastic packaging (such as drinks bottles and personal care packaging) to migrate away from linear cycles of production (make, use, dispose) into a circular system.

Yet most current solutions focus on driving materials into recycling, rather than keeping materials in use for longer in their existing state. This is because technological limitations and complex supply chains (especially in fast moving consumer goods), make reusing plastic packaging uneconomical at scale.

Acet Circular Solutions, is an innovative company working to change perceptions over what is reusable. They are building a network of smart, low-cost cleaning hubs that can clean and dry huge volumes of packaging and seamlessly return this to filling lines. All at a price parity for brands and retailers that is on par with single-use. And with significantly less embodied CO2 (cradle-to-grave) than recycling or disposal routes.

This project will develop the Minimal Viable Product (MVP) for a 'CleanCell' hub, capable of processing up to 4 million units of rigid plastic packaging per annum at low environmental and economic cost. Alongside the software platform required to enable its interoperability into existing supply chains. This will support retailers and brands to deliver their commitments under: Plastic Pact 1, by providing the infrastructure to enable reuse to happen at scale; and Plastic Pact 2, by making existing rigid plastic packaging 100% reusable.

This will significantly curb environmental impacts (both direct and indirect) of the plastic packaging supply chain.