PulpaTronics wins Eurostars grant to scale recyclable RFID tags
What's the deal? PulpaTronics has secured a Eurostars grant to advance E!-SURSIT, a collaborative project to scale its recyclable, metal-free RFID tags. The UK startup replaces conventional metal antennas with laser-created, carbon-based conductive materials on paper and other fibre-based substrates.
What's the endgame? The project aims to reach production of more than 100,000 tags per week and embed the technology into recyclable fibre-based packaging. It also plans to validate the tags' performance and environmental impact for use in packaging, retail, and logistics.
Who's involved? E!-SURSIT brings together partners from the UK, Finland, and Sweden, spanning laser technology, sustainable packaging, and materials research. Innovation ManagerDealroom has a profile for this one. Try Dealroom → supported PulpaTronics through the grant application process.
Why now? The non-dilutive award follows PulpaTronics' £430,000 pre-seed round in November 2024 and recognition at the 2025 Packaging Startup Awards. It funds product development and scaling rather than marking a major equity financing round or proof of commercial adoption.
The signal: RFID tags are ubiquitous in retail and logistics, yet their metal antennas complicate recycling. A grant-backed push toward metal-free, paper-based alternatives reflects growing pressure to cut electronic waste and make everyday tracking technology more sustainable.
Read more: innovation-manager.com
Image credit: Generated with Gemini
