R-CYCLE
R-Cycle operates an open GS1 EPCIS-based traceability platform enabling Digital Product Passports for plastic packaging, serving brand owners, manufacturers, recyclers, and equipment OEMs via a SaaS and community-membership model with 50+ partners.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2019
- HeadquartersTroisdorf, Germany
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingSoftware
What R-CYCLE does
R-Cycle is an open, globally applicable traceability standard and Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) platform for the plastic packaging industry, operated as a brand initiative under ProData GmbH, a private German limited liability company headquartered in Troisdorf with apparent affiliation to the Reifenhäuser Group. The platform delivers Digital Product Passports (DPP) for packaging based on the GS1 EPCIS standard — the same global specification used for over six billion daily barcode scans — enabling automated capture, aggregation, and exchange of production, recycling-relevant, and lifecycle data across the value chain from raw material supplier through converter, brand owner, consumer, and recycler. Technical integration is delivered through equipment-level interfaces such as Kautex Maschinenbau's R-Connector (linking extrusion blow molding lines to the R-Cycle cloud) and ARBURG/Brückner/Reifenhäuser/Comexi machine connectivity, with marking via digital watermarks (e.g., Digimarc-compatible) and QR/Data-Matrix codes.
The company serves four primary customer segments — brand owners and retailers, manufacturers and producers, waste sorters and recyclers, and OEM equipment suppliers — addressing the core problem that multi-component plastic packaging cannot be reliably identified for recycling. Business model is community-driven SaaS: companies join the R-Cycle Community (membership model) to access the network of 50+ partner organizations (including Henkel, Wipak, Jokey, ARBURG, Brückner, Kautex, Braskem, Exxon, Dow, Sabic), and use the platform's subscription-based DPP infrastructure. Go-to-market combines community-led ecosystem development, direct enterprise sales, and event-driven activation at major industry trade shows (Interpack 2026, FachPack 2024).
In 2026 the company expanded its product surface with the PPWR Compliance Compass, an AI-based SaaS module co-developed with TILISCO, including a specialized generative-AI chatbot trained on European packaging regulation requirements. R-Cycle was recognized with a Packaging Europe Sustainability Award in 2024 and operates as an industry-wide consortium-style initiative rather than a venture-backed startup; no revenue, headcount, or external funding is disclosed.
R-CYCLE firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- R-CYCLE
- Legal name
- ProData GmbH
- Website
- https://r-cycle.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2019
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- R-Cycle operates an open GS1 EPCIS-based traceability platform enabling Digital Product Passports for plastic packaging, serving brand owners, manufacturers, recyclers, and equipment OEMs via a SaaS and community-membership model with 50+ partners.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
R-CYCLE industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Packaging Traceability Software
- NAICS
- Software Publishers (5132)
- SIC
- Services-Prepackaged Software (7372)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Packaging Recovery & Closed-Loop Programs (Take-Back, Deposit-Return, EPR Support) (IMALAMAF)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Sustainability Testing, Certification & Compliance (LCA, Recyclability/Compostability Testing, FSC/PEFC) (IMALAMAK)
Keywords
Where R-CYCLE is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Troisdorf
- HQ country
- Germany
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices1 record
Markets served
R-CYCLE business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Software
- Cost components
- Technology or R&D, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Operations, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Software-as-a-Service Platform: R-Cycle operates as a SaaS solution where all relevant packaging information can be digitally stored, consolidated, shared, and managed from multiple sources across the value chain. The platform provides standardized data infrastructure for Digital Product Passports.
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels7 records
R-CYCLE product offering
Product offeringCore offering
R-Cycle is a Software-as-a-Service platform that provides an open, globally applicable traceability standard for packaging, built on GS1 EPCIS standards. It enables Digital Product Passports (DPP) by capturing, aggregating, and exchanging recycling-relevant and lifecycle data across the plastic packaging value chain—from raw material production through converting, processing, use, and disposal—supporting EU PPWR compliance and circular economy outcomes. The platform is complemented by add-on solutions such as the PPWR Compliance Compass (with AI chatbot) and OEM integrations like the R-Connector.
Product overview
R-Cycle is an open, globally applicable traceability standard and Software-as-a-Service platform for the packaging industry, operated by ProData GmbH. The core offering consists of the R-Cycle Platform, which enables Digital Product Passports (DPP) based on GS1 EPCIS standards. The platform integrates with various production equipment (film, blow molding, injection molding, printing, and filling machines) as well as waste sorting and recycling systems. Key add-on modules include the PPWR Compliance Compass (developed with TILISCO) for regulatory compliance, and the R-Connector (from Kautex) for production data integration. The system supports marking technologies including digital watermarks (Digimarc) and QR codes for product identification.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- R-Cycle Platform An open, globally applicable traceability standard and Software-as-a-Service platform for plastic packaging that enables data-based management of material flows for efficient manufacturing, improved waste sorting, and high-quality recyclates through Digital Product Passports and PPWR compliance solutions. Targeted at brand owners, manufacturers, recyclers, and OEMs.
- Digital Product Passport (DPP) A digital system for capturing, aggregating, and providing product data throughout the packaging lifecycle, accessible via suitable marking (digital watermarks or QR codes) on intermediate and end products. Built on GS1 EPCIS standards for globally applicable data exchange.
- PPWR Compliance Compass AI-based Software-as-a-Service solution developed with TILISCO to support packaging manufacturers with compliance declarations under the EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR), including an integrated PPWR AI chatbot for real-time regulatory answers.
- R-Connector Data capture system developed by Kautex Maschinenbau that serves as the interface between extrusion blow molding production and the cloud-based R-Cycle platform, capturing production data in real-time, analyzing it, and uploading it to the R-Cycle server.
- PPWR-KI-Chatbot AI chatbot embedded in the PPWR Compliance Compass, specifically trained on European packaging regulation requirements, enabling users to ask regulatory questions and receive real-time informed answers within the tool.
Quantifiable outcome
- WIPAK's GreenChoice PP-based packaging achieves 92% recyclability (Cyclos-HTP certified), saves 10% material usage, and reduces CO2 footprint by 37% compared to PET/PE standard
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use R-CYCLE
Customer profileNamed customers10 records
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
R-CYCLE technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
AI capability2 records
Feature5 records
R-CYCLE partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
20 partnerships are on record, tiered core and supporting.
- ARBURGcoreARBURG partnered with R-Cycle to demonstrate smart turnkey injection molding solutions. Their ALLROUNDER machines with IIoT gateways capture recycling-relevant data and transmit it to the R-Cycle platform. Each molded product receives a digital product pass via Data-Matrix code for full traceability and sorted recycling.
- Brückner MaschinenbaucoreLed the polypropylene crisp bag pilot project demonstrating how chip bags become fit for circular economy. Brückner coordinates data capture across multiple partners including film production, printing, lamination, and filling.
- EremacorePartner in the crisp bag project focused on demonstrating mechanical recycling of sorted packaging materials into high-quality recyclates.
- HenkelcoreHenkel actively tests and implements Digital Product Passports with R-Cycle. Their Loctite Liofol adhesive is tracked through the value chain, demonstrating how component information enables traceability and carbon footprint assessment for ESPR compliance.
- Korozo GroupcorePartnered with R-Cycle and Henkel on flexible packaging DPP implementation. Korozo produces recyclable flexible packaging with digital watermarks and QR codes linked to R-Cycle product passports, showcased at FachPack.
- Kautex MaschinenbaucoreDeveloped R-Connector interface between blow molding production and R-Cycle cloud platform. Partner in smart digital watermark packaging project with Braskem and Morssinkhoff Plastics for HDPE bottle traceability.
- WipakcoreWIPAK utilizes R-Cycle DPPs in pilot projects for their GreenChoice product line. They presented 14 packaging types at FachPack 2024 with digital watermarks enabling access to product and material information for PPWR compliance.
- Jokey (with Alpina Farben/DAW SE)coreJokey produces series products with R-Cycle Digital Product Passports. Their 10-liter Alpina Farben paint buckets include QR codes providing materials, chemical substances, and recycling information.
- hubergroup Print SolutionssupportingPartner in crisp bag project contributing printing inks specially developed for circular economy that don't compromise recyclate quality.
- KampfsupportingPartner in crisp bag project providing slitting technology and contributing to the demonstration of recyclability.
- MaagsupportingPartner in crisp bag project contributing filtration and conversion technology for demonstrating recyclate quality.
- Plastchim-TsupportingPartner in crisp bag project contributing film production expertise for mono-material polypropylene packaging.
- BraskemcoreRaw material supplier partner in digital watermark blow molding project with Kautex and Morssinkhoff Plastics for sustainable packaging development.
- Morssinkhoff PlasticssupportingDutch recycling specialist partner in digital watermark blow molding project contributing to end-of-life material handling demonstration.
- ReifenhäusercoreInitiated and led the All-PE pouch pilot project with Comexi demonstrating high-quality recycling through R-Cycle traceability. Produced mono-material PE films on EVO Ultra Stretch blown-film line.
- ComexicoreLeading provider of packaging machines partnered on All-PE pouch project. Provided film conversion (printing, lamination, slitting) using Gelflex Inks and electron-beam drying technology.
- HolyGrail 2.0 InitiativecoreR-Cycle and WIPAK are actively involved in the HolyGrail 2.0 initiative launched by AIM - European Brands Association, supported by Alliance to End Plastic Waste. R-Cycle contributes expertise in the 'Data Management' work package to drive digital watermarks for packaging identification.
- GS1coreR-Cycle's data infrastructure is based on GS1 standards - the leading global network for cross-industry process development. GS1 standards are used daily for more than six billion scanned barcodes worldwide. The underlying EPCIS standard is already successfully deployed in various industries globally.
- TILISCOsupportingPartnership announced May 2026 to expand PPWR Compliance Compass with integrated AI chatbot. TILISCO brings packaging management expertise to provide real-time regulatory answers within the compliance tool.
- PöppelmannsupportingCustomer testing use of Digital Product Passports for plant pots to aggregate relevant product data simply, standardized, and across company boundaries for compliance with reporting obligations.
Scale indicators3 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
R-CYCLE competitors and assessment
Company assessmentOthers
- Digimarc: Provider of digital watermark technology used in packaging identification. R-Cycle's traceability platform depends on Digimarc-style watermarks as a complementary marking layer, making it a critical ecosystem enabler rather than direct competitor.
- GS1: Global standards organization whose EPCIS standard underpins R-Cycle's data infrastructure. GS1 is both a foundational partner and a potential standards competitor, as it could evolve its own DPP offerings.
Broad incumbents
- SAP: Enterprise software incumbent with sustainability and product compliance modules. SAP competes with R-Cycle at the broader enterprise integration layer, offering DPP-adjacent capabilities within a much larger suite.
- Avery Dennison: Global labeling and materials science company with atma.io connected product cloud. Avery Dennison offers DPP and supply-chain traceability at industrial scale, positioning as a broad incumbent with overlapping capabilities to R-Cycle's packaging passport platform.
- Optel Group: Track-and-trace and supply-chain transparency solutions provider serving pharmaceuticals, food, and consumer goods. Optel competes with R-Cycle in the broader product traceability and DPP infrastructure category.
Direct peers
- Kezzler: Serialization and traceability platform provider. Kezzler offers supply-chain traceability solutions that overlap with R-Cycle's DPP and packaging data infrastructure value proposition, particularly for brand owners needing product-level identification.
- Recyda: SaaS platform for packaging recyclability assessment and PPWR compliance. Recyda directly competes with R-Cycle's PPWR Compliance Compass offering, targeting the same packaging manufacturers and brand owners seeking regulatory compliance tools.
Emerging players
- OriginTrail: Decentralized knowledge graph for supply-chain interoperability and DPPs. OriginTrail addresses adjacent data infrastructure needs for product passports with a different architectural approach, competing for the same DPP mindshare among enterprises.
- Cirpass: EU-funded project establishing common DPP data standards and infrastructure. Cirpass competes with R-Cycle at the standards-setting level and could shape which underlying DPP data model the market ultimately adopts.
- Twintag: DPP-as-a-service platform built on GS1 standards and part of the R-Cycle partner network. Twintag offers overlapping DPP infrastructure with a more productized SaaS approach, positioning as a close emerging competitor.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
R-CYCLE social profiles
Digital presenceR-CYCLE financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
R-CYCLE leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles2 records
R-CYCLE funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
R-CYCLE M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about R-CYCLE
What does R-CYCLE do?
R-Cycle is a Software-as-a-Service platform that provides an open, globally applicable traceability standard for packaging, built on GS1 EPCIS standards. It enables Digital Product Passports (DPP) by capturing, aggregating, and exchanging recycling-relevant and lifecycle data across the plastic packaging value chain—from raw material production through converting, processing, use, and disposal—supporting EU PPWR compliance and circular economy outcomes. The platform is complemented by add-on solutions such as the PPWR Compliance Compass (with AI chatbot) and OEM integrations like the R-Connector.
Is R-CYCLE a public or private company?
R-CYCLE is a private company. It is classified as corporate owned and is currently operating.
When was R-CYCLE founded?
R-CYCLE was founded in 2019. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is R-CYCLE based?
R-CYCLE is headquartered in Troisdorf, Germany, in the Europe region.
How does R-CYCLE make money?
One revenue line is on record: software-as-a-Service Platform.
Who are R-CYCLE's main competitors?
Others on record are Digimarc and GS1. Broad incumbents are SAP, Avery Dennison and Optel Group. Direct peers are Kezzler and Recyda. Emerging players are OriginTrail, Cirpass and Twintag.
Does R-CYCLE have an API?
No public API is recorded for R-CYCLE.
What industry is R-CYCLE in?
R-CYCLE's product category is Packaging Traceability Software. Its primary akta.pro industry code is IMALAMAF, Packaging Recovery & Closed-Loop Programs (Take-Back, Deposit-Return, EPR Support), with a secondary code of IMALAMAK, Sustainability Testing, Certification & Compliance (LCA, Recyclability/Compostability Testing, FSC/PEFC). Its NAICS code is 5132 and its SIC code is 7372.