Material Traceability

Ocean-bound plastic being transported by boat in the #tide® supply chain in Thailand

What traceability means at #tide

From source to resin. Traceable by design.

Knowing that a material is recycled is one thing. Knowing where it came from and how it reached you is another. #tide combines supply-chain documentation, digital tracking, independent certification and quality controls to provide traceability from the collection of ocean-bound plastic to the recycled material delivered to our customers.

This gives brands and manufacturers the information they need to verify material origin and recycled content, manage supply-chain risks and support compliance and sustainability claims.

supply chain traceability starts at the very beginning, the moment when the collected plastic is brought in, weighed and registered on the blockchain solution.

Origin and traceability of our ocean-bound plastic

Traceability starts at the source.

#tide® material begins as ocean-bound plastic collected in coastal areas where plastic waste is at risk of entering the marine environment. Working with local collection and recycling partners, we build supply chains designed to make the origin of our material transparent and verifiable.

Our ocean-bound plastic is collected through established supply chains in Thailand and Malaysia. Depending on the supply chain and material, information about the collection location, quantities and subsequent material movements is recorded and linked to the corresponding traceability documentation.

This allows us to provide customers with information about where their recycled material originates – not simply that it contains recycled plastic.

What traceability data do we capture?

From the first step, traceability data is captured. Depending on the collection system and supply chain, this can include:

Collection location
Date/time of collection or material registration
Material type and quantity
Photo/documentary evidence
Movement to the next supply-chain stage
Relevant batch or transaction references

What is ocean-bound plastic?

Ocean-bound plastic is plastic waste located in areas where there is a significant risk of it reaching the ocean if it is not properly collected and managed. #tide® works with defined collection areas and independently certified supply chains to substantiate the origin of the material used for #tide® material.

This is how we track our materials

Our traceability system follows the material throughout the #tide® supply chain. At each stage, relevant material movements and processing steps are recorded, creating a documented chain from collection to the material delivered to our customers.

#tide ocean material supply chain traceability

Step 1

Collection

Traceability starts when the plastic waste is brought in by one of our local collectors. The collectors haver their load registered with data about volumes, quality and provenance.

Step 2

Aggregation & Pre-Processing

The plastic waste is then aggregated at one of our warehouses. The recycling process is set in motion. It all starts with a thorough sorting of the different plastic types. Those processing steps are themselves again registered. Volume input and output are documented, discrepancies noted.

Step 3

Processing

The sorted and washed plastic is transported to our processing partner who again confirms the reception of the materials via digital handshake on the tracking platform. Then each batch of granules is individually registered and stored including all the relevant data.

Step 4

Shipping

Once the #tide® material leaves our warehouse on its way to one of our customers, the transaction is stored on the tracking platform as well. Shipments can come with a unique Material Passport, documenting the entire journey the respective plastic has followed along the #tide® supply chain.

Digital- and batch-level traceability

Our digital tracking systems capture key information throughout the supply chain, including location, time, quantities and material movements. This digital record complements our physical chain-of-custody documentation.

Every delivery of #tide® material is assigned a unique batch number, connecting the material to its production and quality documentation. Relevant information is maintained across labels, shipping documents and internal records.

Relevant traceability data is linked to our Digital Material Passports, giving customers access to information about the origin and journey of their #tide® material.

Documentation and independent verification

Traceability should be backed by evidence. Each delivery of #tide® material is accompanied by relevant batch and shipment documentation, connecting the material delivered to its production records and supply chain.

Depending on the material and supply chain, this can include Certificates of Analysis (COA), GRS Transaction Certificates, OBP transaction documentation and other batch- or shipment-specific records.

Independently verified supply chains

Our traceability is not based solely on our own records. Independent certifications and third-party audits provide an additional layer of verification across our supply chains.

GRS and Ocean Bound Plastic certification, where applicable, verify defined aspects of the recycled material, chain of custody and material origin. More information about their scope and availability can be found under Certifications.

Traceability meets quality control

Traceability also supports quality and material integrity. Batch identification, quality controls and internal and external testing allow material properties and test results to be linked to individual production batches.

The exact documentation available can vary depending on the material grade, production site and supply chain. Need specific traceability documentation for your material? Talk to us about your requirements or visit Compliance & Documentation for our wider documentation package.