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How PulpaTronics is transforming RFID for a sustainable future

Making Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology more affordable and sustainable

RFID tags, smart tags, smart labels, call them what you like – you’ll find these little devices everywhere.

From credit cards, clothing labels, and even pet collars – they’re widely used to identify and track objects. They’re also perfect for inventory management and consumer-facing checkouts.

However, RFID retail tags are currently expensive to produce and rely on valuable, non-recyclable materials such as metals and silicon.

With around 45 billion tags in production globally, this poses a significant sustainability challenge.

The PulpaTronics Solution – formed by a group of students while working on a project for their MSc in Design Innovation Engineering at Imperial and the Royal College of Art.

Their work is based on the concept of substraction – adding value through removal – to refine RFID manufacture, using laser technology to convert the carbon found in paper into a more conductive material, similar to graphite or graphene.

This process creates a circuit directly onto the paper, eliminating the need for metal.

The result? A simplified process that makes tags cheaper to manufacture and recyclable.

The PulpaTronics effect

%

reduction in RFID tag production costs

%

fewer CO2 emissions

“Imperial have been fantastic at helping to provide all the resources in a step-by-step way to support a start-up like us transition out of university and go from idea to incorporation. They are constantly helping us make new connections and providing opportunities.”

Chloe So, PulpaTronics

“As well as being experts, the Imperial mentors are just kind people who are really generous and willing to share their time and advice. People can give you expertise but having someone there every month checking in on you is incredibly valuable.”

Chloe So, PulpaTronics

“It was reassuring to find out that Imperial is connected to so many people who want to help,” says Chloe. “People who are willing to share their time and expertise - as a young start-up it’s very stabilising to have someone who is always on your side and checks in on you every month. We’re very grateful for this support and generosity.”

Chloe So, PulpaTronics

Meet the PulpaTronics Team

Chloe So, Co-Founder & CEO

Barna Soma Biro, Co-Founder & CTO

Jiaqi Ge, Electronics Engineer & CEO

Youssef Assaf, Materials Engineer

Patrik Isacsson, Paper Substrate Specialist

Dedicated support from Imperial

Taking an idea and transforming it into a viable venture isn’t a solo mission. As part of Imperial’s Enterprise Lab community, PulpaTronics has full access to our services and programmes.

Imperial Venture Mentoring

PulpaTronics were assigned two mentors with experience and knowledge relevant to their needs. Specifically marketing and scaling, helping them think about developing an appropriate brand and messaging for their product. The team has also been able to tailor their business model for successful scaling.

Experts-in-Residence

The team also took full advantage of the shorter sessions offered by our extensive network of experts and benefited from their insight on areas such as governance and business development.

Venture Catalyst Challenge

In 2023 PulpaTronics won the Creative and Consumer track to put them in the finals of our flagship innovation competition.

Undaunted Accelerator Programme

At the same time, they applied to Undaunted to become part of its 12-month climate innovation accelerator programme, receiving £20k equity-free funding and the opportunity to work out of the Royal Institute.

The future

Product pilots for different sectors and more fundraising!

PulpaTronics is currently focusing on a range of pilots, testing different materials to apply their concept across multiple sectors.

The data from these pilots will validate their work ahead of fundraising rounds.

They’re currently based at Makerversity at Somerset House, working with an expert in RFID technology, whom they met at an Imperial Venture Mentoring event.

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