WO2025030042A1

WO2025030042A1 - Methods and compositions for sorting objects having functionalized coatings

Info

Publication number: WO2025030042A1
Application number: PCT/US2024/040594
Authority: WO
Inventors: Ravish Y. MAJITHIA; Vishal D. SALIAN; Kumaril R. KAPADIA
Original assignee: Magnomer, Inc.
Priority date: 2023-08-01
Filing date: 2024-08-01
Publication date: 2025-02-06

Abstract

Provided herein are compositions comprising substrates that comprise (a) a scaffold that is transparent or translucent to near infrared (NIR) light and is non-magnetic, paramagnetic, or diamagnetic, and (b) a functionalized coating applied to the scaffold that contains: (a) a marker that absorbs NIR light and/or (b) a ferromagnetic material. Also provided herein are methods of fabricating the substrates described herein. Further provided herein are functionalized coatings containing (a) a marker that absorbs NIR light. The marker imparts functionality to the functionalized coating, such that the functional coating is capable of being mechanically separated from other objects using a commercial magnetic separator and/or an optical separator that emits NIR light. Also provided herein are methods of separating a substrate having a functionalized coating described herein from a mixed stream of objects in a recycling facility using a commercial magnetic separator and/or an optical separator that emits NIR light.

Description

METHODS AND COMPOSITIONS FOR SORTING OBJECTS HAVING FUNCTIONALIZED COATINGS

CROSS-REFERENCED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims the benefit of priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/516,983, filed on August 1, 2023 the entire contents of each of which are incorporated herein by reference.

SUMMARY

[0002] Disclosed herein are substrates comprising: (a) one or more non-magnetic scaffolds that are transparent or translucent to near infrared (NIR) light, and (b) a functionalized coating that comprises: (i) a marker that absorbs NIR light, and/or (ii) a ferromagnetic material; wherein the functionalized coating is a food contact substance having a migration of less than about 10 milligrams (mg) per squared decimeter (dm²) of contact surface, as determined by: contacting the functionalized coating with a chemical food simulant and measuring the weight of the chemical food simulant after the contacting. In some embodiments, the functionalized coating absorbs UV light. In some embodiments, all components of the functionalized coating are transparent or translucent to visible light. In some embodiments, the marker absorbs NIR light having a wavelength of from 900 to 1400 nm. In some embodiments, the marker is an NIR absorptive dye selected from the group consisting of: an organic dye, a cyanine dye, an azo dye, a fluorophore, and an azoBODIPY dye. In some embodiments, the marker is soluble in organic solvent. In some embodiments, the organic solvent is isopropyl alcohol, ethyl alcohol, n-propyl alcohol, ethyl acetate, n-propyl acetate, acetone, methyl ethyl ketone, methyl isobutyl ketone, toluene, xylene, or benzene. In some embodiments, the marker is soluble in aqueous solution. In some embodiments, the functionalized coating is a solvent-based or water-based coating suitable for flexographic printing, gravure printing, intaglio printing, pad printing, screen printing, offset printing, or any combination thereof. In some embodiments, the functionalized coating comprises less than 20% by weight of the ferromagnetic material. In some embodiments, the ferromagnetic material has a size distribution having a D90 of from about 1 to about 20 microns and a D50 of from about 1 to about 10 microns. In some embodiments, the one or more non-magnetic scaffolds are selected from: a single-use bottle, a bottle cap, a single-use coffee cup, plastic cutlery, an eating utensil, a cutting utensil, a plastic tray, a plastic container, a food packaging container, a shrink sleeve label, a pressure sensitive label, a roll fed label, a wrap label, a stretch label, a cut and stack label, a shrink bundling film, and any combination thereof. In some embodiments, the one or more non-magnetic scaffolds comprise a polymeric material selected from the group consisting of polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyester, polyethylene (PE), polycarbonate (PC), polystyrene (PS), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), post-consumer resin (PCR), styrene butadiene copolymer (SBC), high density polyethylene(HDPE), fluorine-treated HDPE, low density polyethylene (LDPE), linear low density polyethylene(LLDPE), polypropylene (PP), bioplastic, bisphenol-A (BPA), ethylene-vinyl alcohol (EVOH), polyamide (Nylon or PA), an ionomer, ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA), and any combination thereof. In some embodiments, the functionalized coating comprises a polymer film. In some embodiments, the polymer film is a polyethylene (PE) film, a high density polyethylene (HDPE) film, a low density polyethylene (LDPE) film, a linear low density polyethylene (LLDPE) film, an oriented polypropylene (OPP) film, a biaxially oriented polypropylene (BOPP) film, an oriented polystyrenes (OPS) film, an ethylene-vinyl alcohol (EVOH) film, a polyamide film, an ionomer film, an ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) film, glycosylated polyethylene terephthalate (PETG), polypropylene (PP), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), or any combination thereof. In some embodiments, the ferromagnetic material is an unadulterated iron powder, carbonyl iron, carbonyl cobalt, carbonyl nickel, iron alloys, iron oxides, low carbon steel grades, nickel, cobalt, ferritic stainless steel, atomized stainless steel, or any combination thereof. In some embodiments, the marker that absorbs NIR light and/or the ferromagnetic material is incorporated into the polymer film.

[0003] Disclosed herein are substrates comprising: (a) one or more scaffolds that are transparent or translucent to near infrared (NIR) light; and (b) a functionalized coating that comprises a marker that absorbs NIR light, wherein the functionalized coating is a functionalized ink or a functionalized film that is affixed onto the one or more scaffolds, and wherein the functionalized coating is a food contact substance having a migration of less than about 10 milligrams (mg) per squared decimeter (dm²) of contact surface, as determined by: contacting the functionalized coating with a chemical food simulant and measuring the weight of the chemical food simulant after the contacting. In some embodiments, all components of the functionalized coating are transparent or translucent to visible light. In some embodiments, the marker absorbs NIR light having a wavelength of from 900 to 2000 nm. In some embodiments, the marker is an NIR absorptive dye selected from the group consisting of: an organic dye, a cyanine dye, an azo dye, a fluorophore, and an azoBODIPY dye. In some embodiments, the marker is soluble in organic solvent. In some embodiments, the organic solvent is isopropyl alcohol, ethyl alcohol, n-propyl alcohol, ethyl acetate, n-propyl acetate, acetone, methyl ethyl ketone, methyl isobutyl ketone, toluene, xylene, or benzene. In some embodiments, the marker is soluble in aqueous solution. In some embodiments, the functionalized coating is a solvent-based or water-based coating suitable for flexographic printing, gravure printing, intaglio printing, pad printing, screen printing, offset printing, or any combination thereof. In some embodiments, the one or more scaffolds comprise: a single-use bottle, a bottle cap, a single-use coffee cup, plastic cutlery, an eating utensil, a cutting utensil, a plastic tray, a plastic container, a food packaging container, a shrink sleeve label, a pressure sensitive label, a roll fed label, a wrap label, a stretch label, a cut and stack label, a shrink bundling film, and any combination thereof. In some embodiments, the one or more scaffolds comprise a polymeric material selected from the group consisting of polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyester, polyethylene (PE), polycarbonate (PC), polystyrene (PS), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), post-consumer resin (PCR), styrene butadiene copolymer (SBC), high density polyethylene(HDPE), fluorine-treated HDPE, low density polyethylene (LDPE), linear low density polyethylene(LLDPE), polypropylene (PP), bioplastic, bisphenol-A (BPA), ethylene-vinyl alcohol (EVOH), polyamide (Nylon or PA), an ionomer, ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA), and any combination thereof. In some embodiments, the functionalized coating is the functionalized film, wherein the functionalized film comprises a polymer film. In some embodiments, the polymer film is a polyethylene (PE) film, a high density polyethylene (HDPE) film, a low density polyethylene (LDPE) film, a linear low density polyethylene (LLDPE) film, an oriented polypropylene (OPP) film, a biaxially oriented polypropylene (BOPP) film, an oriented polystyrenes (OPS) film, an ethylene-vinyl alcohol (EVOH) film, a polyamide film, an ionomer film, an ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) film, glycosylated polyethylene terephthalate (PETG), polypropylene (PP), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), or any combination thereof. In some embodiments, the marker that absorbs NIR light is incorporated into the polymer film.

[0004] Also disclosed herein is a method of making a substrate suitable for sorting using near infrared (NIR) light or a magnetic field, the method comprising one or more of: (a) providing a non-magnetic coating that is transparent or translucent to NIR light; (b) incorporating a marker that absorbs NIR light into the non-magnetic coating; (c) incorporating a ferromagnetic material into the non-magnetic coating, thereby producing a functionalized coating, wherein the functionalized coating is a food contact substance having a migration of less than about 10 milligrams (mg) per squared decimeter (dm²) of contact surface, as determined by: contacting the functionalized coating with a chemical food simulant and measuring the weight of the chemical food simulant after the contacting; and (d) transferring the functionalized coating onto a surface of one or more nonmagnetic scaffolds, wherein the one or more non-magnetic scaffolds are transparent or translucent to NIR light; thereby making the substrate that is suitable for sorting using NIR light or the magnetic field. In some embodiments, the functionalized coating absorbs UV light. In some embodiments, all components of the functionalized coating are transparent or translucent to visible light. In some embodiments, the marker absorbs NIR light having a wavelength of from 900 to 1400 nm. In some embodiments, the marker is an NIR absorptive dye selected from the group consisting of: an organic dye, a cyanine dye, an azo dye, a fluorophore, and an azoBODIPY dye. In some embodiments, the marker is soluble in organic solvent. In some embodiments, the organic solvent is isopropyl alcohol, ethyl alcohol, n-propyl alcohol, ethyl acetate, n-propyl acetate, acetone, methyl ethyl ketone, methyl isobutyl ketone, toluene, xylene, or benzene. In some embodiments, the marker is soluble in aqueous solution. In some embodiments, the functionalized coating is a solvent-based or water-based coating suitable for flexographic printing, gravure printing, intaglio printing, pad printing, screen printing, offset printing, or any combination thereof. In some embodiments, the one or more non-magnetic scaffolds are selected from: a shrink sleeve label, a pressure sensitive label, a roll fed label, a wrap label, a stretch label, a cut and stack label, a shrink bundling film, and any combination thereof. In some embodiments, the one or more nonmagnetic scaffolds are selected from: a single-use bottle, a bottle cap, a single-use coffee cup, plastic cutlery, an eating utensil, a cutting utensil, a plastic tray, a plastic container, a food packaging container, or any combination thereof. In some embodiments, the one or more nonmagnetic scaffolds comprise a polymeric material selected from the group consisting of polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyester, polyethylene (PE), polycarbonate (PC), polystyrene (PS), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), post-consumer resin (PCR), styrene butadiene copolymer (SBC), high density polyethylene(HDPE), fluorine-treated HDPE, low density polyethylene (LDPE), linear low density polyethylene(LLDPE), polypropylene (PP), bioplastic, bisphenol-A (BP A), ethylene-vinyl alcohol (EVOH), polyamide (Nylon or PA), an ionomer, ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA), and any combination thereof. In some embodiments, the substrate is suitable for sorting in a recycling facility using optical sorting equipment that emits NIR light, wherein the marker of the substrate absorbs the NIR light emitted by the optical sorting equipment. In some embodiments, the optical sorting equipment emits NIR light having a wavelength of from 900 nm - 2500 nm to sort objects. In some embodiments, the one or more non-magnetic scaffolds are: (a) a bottle that comprises polyethylene terephthalate, and (b) a shrink-sleeve label, wherein the functionalized coating is applied onto the shrink-sleeve label to produce a functionalized label, and wherein the functionalized label is attached to the bottle. In some embodiments, the optical sorting equipment emits NIR light having a wavelength of from 900 nm - 2500 nm to sort objects. In some embodiments, the one or more non-magnetic scaffolds are: (a) a bottle that comprises high density polyethylene, and (b) a shrink-sleeve label, wherein the functionalized coating is applied onto the shrink-sleeve label to produce a functionalized label, and wherein the functionalized label is attached to the bottle. In some embodiments, the substrate is suitable for sorting in a recycling facility using a magnet. In some embodiments, the magnet used at the recycling facility has a gauss strength of at least 2000 Gauss.

[0005] Also disclosed herein is a method of separating a substrate suitable for sorting using near infrared (NIR) light and/or a magnetic field from a mixed stream of objects, the method comprising: (a) providing the mixed stream of objects that comprises the substrate, wherein the substrate comprises: (i) one or more non-magnetic scaffolds that are transparent or translucent to NIR light, and (ii) a functionalized coating that comprises: a marker that absorbs NIR light and/or a ferromagnetic material; wherein the functionalized coating is a food contact substance having a migration of less than about 10 milligrams (mg) per squared decimeter (dm²) of contact surface, as determined by: contacting the functionalized coating with a chemical food simulant and measuring the weight of the chemical food simulant after the contacting; (b) sorting the mixed stream of objects using optical sorting equipment that emits NIR light, wherein the substrate is separated from at least one object in the mixed stream of objects based on the marker that absorbs NIR light; and (c) separating the substrate from the resulting stream of objects by contacting the resulting stream with a magnetic field having a magnetic flux density ranging from about 3,000 gauss (G) to about 12,000 G, wherein the substrate is separated from the resulting stream based on attraction of the ferromagnetic material of the functionalized coating to said magnetic field.

[0006] Also disclosed herein is a method of sorting a plurality of substrates from a mixed stream of objects using near infrared (NIR) light, wherein the plurality of substrates comprises a first substrate and a second substrate, wherein the first substrate comprises: (a) one or more first scaffolds that are transparent or translucent to NIR light, and (b) a first functionalized coating printed on the one or more first scaffolds, wherein the first functionalized coating comprises a first marker that absorbs NIR light of a first range of wavelengths, and wherein the second substrate comprises: (c) one or more second scaffolds that are transparent or translucent to NIR light, and (d) a second functionalized coating printed on the one or more second scaffolds, wherein the second functionalized coating comprises a second marker that absorbs NIR light of a second range of wavelengths that is different than the first range of wavelengths, the method comprises: (i) providing the mixed stream of objects that comprises the first and second substrates; and (ii) sorting the first substrate or the second substrate from the mixed stream of objects using optical sorting equipment that emits NIR light that includes both the first range of wavelengths and the second range of wavelengths, wherein the optical sorting equipment emits NIR light, the first substrate is sorted from the mixed stream of objects into one group and the second substrate is sorted from the mixed stream of objects and the first substrate into a second group. In some embodiments, the method comprises sorting the first substrate from the mixed stream of objects and the second substrate. In some embodiments, the first substrate is sorted into the same stream of objects that the one or more first scaffolds are sorted in the absence of first functionalized coating. In some embodiments, the first substrate is sorted into a different stream of objects than the stream of objects that the one or more first scaffolds are sorted into using the optical sorting equipment in the absence of first functionalized coating. In some embodiments, the first substrate is sorted into the same stream of objects that the one or more second scaffolds are sorted into in the absence of second functionalized coating. In some embodiments, the method comprises sorting the second substrate from the mixed stream of objects and the first substrate. In some embodiments, the second substrate is sorted into the same stream of objects that the one or more second scaffolds are sorted in the absence of second functionalized coating. In some embodiments, the second substrate is sorted into a different stream of objects than the stream of objects that the one or more second scaffolds are sorted into using the optical sorting equipment in the absence of second functionalized coating. In some embodiments, the second substrate is sorted into the same stream of objects that the one or more first scaffolds are sorted into in the absence of first functionalized coating. In some embodiments, the method further comprises programing the optical sorter equipment to sort the first substrate from the mixed stream of objects and the second substrate by emitting light of the first range of wavelengths. In some embodiments, the method further comprises programing the optical sorter equipment to sort the second substrate from the mixed stream of objects and the first substrate by emitting light of the second range of wavelengths.

[0007] Also disclosed herein is a system for sorting a substrate from a mixed stream of objects, wherein the substrate comprises a functionalized film or a functionalized coating comprising a marker that absorbs NIR light, the system comprises (a) an optical sorter that emits NIR light, and (b) a computing device operatively coupled to the optical sorter that comprises: a processor and a non-transitory computer readable storage medium storing instructions that, when execute by the processor, causes the optical sorter to: (i) emit NIR light at a range of wavelengths that is absorbed by the marker, and (ii) sort the substrate from the mixed stream of objects based on absorption of the NIR light from the optical sorting device.

[0008] Also disclosed herein is a method of separating a substrate suitable for sorting using near infrared (NIR) light and a magnetic field from a mixed stream of objects, the method comprises (a) providing the mixed stream of objects that comprises the substrate, wherein the substrate comprises: (i) one or more non-magnetic scaffolds that are transparent or translucent to NIR light, (ii) a first functionalized coating that comprises a marker that absorbs NIR light, wherein the first functionalized coating in printed on the one or more non-magnetic scaffolds, and (iii) one or more magnetic scaffolds that are transparent or translucent to NIR light, wherein the first functionalized coating is a food contact substance having a migration of less than about 10 milligrams (mg) per squared decimeter (dm²) of contact surface as determined by: contacting the functionalized coating with a chemical food simulant and measuring the weight of the chemical food simulant after the contacting; (b) sorting the mixed stream of objects using optical sorting equipment that emits NIR light, wherein the substrate is separated from at least one object in the mixed stream of objects based on the marker that absorbs NIR light; and (c) separating the one or more magnetic scaffolds from sorted substrate by contacting the sorted substrate with a magnetic field having a magnetic flux density ranging from about 3,000 gauss (G) to about 12,000 G. In some embodiments, the one or more magnetic scaffolds comprise a ferromagnetic material. In some embodiments, concentration of the ferromagnetic material is up to 20% (w/w) of the one or more magnetic scaffolds. In some embodiments, the one or more magnetic scaffolds are printed with an ink composition comprising a ferromagnetic material.

[0009] Also disclosed herein is a method of making a ferromagnetic scaffold, the method comprising: (a) incorporating a ferromagnetic material into a resin using high-sheer extrusion to get a masterbatch that comprises the ferromagnetic material in a range of from 20% (w/w) to 50% (w/w) of the resin; (b) diluting the masterbatch with a polymer to achieve a target concentration in a range of from 2% (w/w) to 20% (w/w) of the ferromagnetic material in the resin; and (c) making the ferromagnetic scaffold using the resin. In some embodiments, the ferromagnetic material is wherein the ferromagnetic material is an unadulterated iron powder, carbonyl iron, carbonyl cobalt, carbonyl nickel, iron alloys, iron oxides, low carbon steel grades, nickel, cobalt, ferritic stainless steel, atomized stainless steel, or any combination thereof.

[0010] Also disclosed herein is a substrate that comprises (a) a plastic bottle; (b) a label attached to the plastic bottle, wherein the label is transparent or translucent to near infrared (NIR) light; and (c) a functional coating that comprises a marker that absorbs NIR light printed onto the label. In some embodiments, the plastic bottle is made from a polymeric material selected from the group consisting of polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyester, polyethylene (PE), polycarbonate (PC), polystyrene (PS), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), post-consumer resin (PCR), styrene butadiene copolymer (SBC), high density polyethylene(HDPE), fluorine-treated HDPE, low density polyethylene (LDPE), linear low density polyethylene(LLDPE), polypropylene (PP), bioplastic, bisphenol-A (BP A), ethylene-vinyl alcohol (EVOH), polyamide (Nylon or PA), an ionomer, ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA), and any combination thereof. In some embodiments, the label is a polyethylene (PE) film, a high density polyethylene (HDPE) film, a low density polyethylene (LDPE) film, a linear low density polyethylene (LLDPE) film, an oriented polypropylene (OPP) film, a biaxially oriented polypropylene (BOPP) film, an oriented polystyrenes (OPS) film, an ethylene-vinyl alcohol (EVOH) film, a polyamide film, an ionomer film, an ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) film, glycosylated polyethylene terephthalate (PETG), polypropylene (PP), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), or any combination thereof.

INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

[0011] All publications, patents, and patent applications mentioned in this specification are herein incorporated by reference to the same extent as if each individual publication, patent, or patent application was specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated by reference, and as if set forth in their entireties. In the event of a conflict between a term as used herein and the term as defined in the incorporated reference, the definition of this disclosure controls.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0012] The novel features of the invention are set forth with particularity in the appended claims. A better understanding of the features and advantages of the present invention will be obtained by reference to the following detailed description that sets forth illustrative embodiments, in which the principles of the invention are utilized, and the accompanying drawings (also “Figure” and “FIG.” herein), of which:

[0013] FIG. 1 illustrates examples of substrates comprising a functionalized coating.

[0014] FIGS. 2A, 2B, 2C, and 2D illustrate examples of different types of surface modifications. FIG. 2A illustrates a direct coating of the surface of a scaffold with the functionalized coating. FIG. 2B illustrates microwells on the surface of a scaffold coated with the functionalized coating. FIG. 2C illustrates a saw tooth design on the surface of a scaffold coated with the functionalized coating. FIG. 2D illustrates an embossed design coated with the functionalized coating.

[0015] FIG. 3 illustrates exemplary embodiments of plastic substrates comprising the functionalized coating of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0016] While various embodiments have been shown and described herein, these embodiments are provided by way of example only. Numerous variations, changes, and substitutions are within the scope of the present disclosure.

[0017] The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular cases only and is not intended to be limiting. As used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. Furthermore, to the extent that the terms “including”, “includes”, “having”, “has”, “with”, or variants thereof are used in either the detailed description and/or the claims, such terms are intended to be inclusive in a manner similar to the term “comprising.”

[0018] The term, “about” or “approximately,” refers to an amount that is within 10% of the stated amount.

[0019] The term, “substantially,” refers to refers to a qualitative condition that exhibits at least 70 % of a total range or degree of a feature or characteristic of interest.

[0020] The term, “substrate,” as used herein, refers to a scaffold having a functionalized coating described herein that imparts one or more properties to the scaffold, where the scaffold lacks the one or more properties absent the functionalized coating. [0021] The term, “scaffold,” as used herein, refers to a material or object on which a functionalized coating having one or more properties described herein is to be attached to, printed on, or otherwise affixed to, where the scaffold lacks the one or more properties absent the functionalized coating.

[0022] The term, “coating,” as used herein, refers to a material or film designed to be printed, attached, or otherwise affixed to a scaffold, whether directly or indirectly.

[0023] The term, “functionalized coating,” as used herein, refers to a coating that contains one or more functional components that impart functionality to the coating that is not present in the coating absent the one or more functional components.

[0024] The term, “marker” or “NIR marker,” as used herein, refers to a material that absorbs nearinfrared (NIR) light.

[0025] The term, “unadulterated iron powder,” as used herein, generally refers to a high purity iron powder comprising at least 99.5% iron.

[0026] The term, “non-magnetic,” as used herein, refers to the property of being substantially non- reactive to magnetic fields and includes the properties of being paramagnetic, diamagnetic, and weakly magnetic.

[0027] The term, “indirect food additive,” as used herein, refers to a substance or material that may come into contact with food as part of packaging or processing equipment, but is not intended to be added directly to food.

[0028] The term, “food contact substance,” as used herein, refers to a substance or material that is intended for use in contact with food as a component in manufacturing, packing, packaging, transporting, or holding food, but is not intended to have any technical effect on such food.

[0029] The term, “separation recovery,” as used herein, generally refers to the recovery of an object (e.g., a substrate) after separating it from a mixture of waste stream.

[0030] The term, “burden depth,” as used herein, generally refers to the amount of material (height of material in inches) between the surface of the substrate to be sorted and the magnetic separator.

[0031] The term, “D50,” as used herein, refers to the median diameter or the medium value of the cumulative particle size distribution, depicted as the value of the particle diameter at 50% in the cumulative particle size distribution.

[0032] The term, “D90,” as used herein, refers to the particle diameter of the cumulative particle size distribution where ninety percent of the of the cumulative particle size distribution has a smaller particle diameter and ten percent has a larger particle diameter.

[0033] A “haze value,” as used herein, refers to the amount of light that is diffused or scattered when passing through a transparent or translucent material. Overview

[0034] Provided herein are functionalized coatings that impart one or more properties useful for sorting objects from a mixed stream of objects. The functionalized coatings can be applied to a scaffold lacking the one more properties, thus forming a substrate that is suitable for sorting based on the one or more properties imparted by the functionalized coating.

[0035] Recognized herein are various issues with previously described methods of waste and/or recy elate sorting. Such methods may be limited by an inability to sort and/or recycle small objects, an inability identify small objects from a waste stream (e.g., by use of a label or a graphic design), and an inability to retrieve non-magnetic objects through a magnetic separation process. The present disclosure addresses these issues.

Functionalized coating

[0036] Disclosed herein are functionalized coatings that impart one or more properties, onto a scaffold lacking the one or more properties, when printed, attached, or affixed to the scaffold, where the one or more properties result in enhanced ability to sort or separate the scaffold from a mixed stream of objects. The functionalized coating as described herein can be prepared by adding one or more components to a coating lacking the one or more properties.

[0037] In some embodiments, a functionalized coating can comprise a marker that absorbs NIR light. Inclusion of a marker that absorbs NIR light onto a coating that does not absorb NIR light imparts NIR absorption functionality onto the coating. As such, by printing, affixing, or otherwise attaching a functionalized coating onto a scaffold that does not absorb NIR light, the resulting substrate is capable of absorbing NIR light. This resulting substrate can then be separated from a mixed stream of obj ects using an optical sorter that is capable of sorting obj ects based on absorption or scattering of NIR light.

[0038] In some embodiments, a functionalized coating can comprise a ferromagnetic material. Inclusion of a ferromagnetic material onto a non-magnetic coating results in a magnetic coating. As such, by printing, affixing, or otherwise attaching the functionalized coating onto a nonmagnetic scaffold, the resulting substrate is magnetic. This resulting substrate can then be separated from a mixed stream of objects using a magnetic field, and strength of the magnetic field can be modulated to specifically separate the resulting substrate from other magnetic objects. In some embodiments, a functionalized coating comprises less than 50%, less than 40%, less than 30%, less than 20%, less than 15%, less than 10%, less than 5%, or less than 2% by weight of a ferromagnetic material. In some embodiments, a functionalized coating comprises less than 20% by weight of a ferromagnetic material. In some embodiments, a functionalized coating comprises about 1% to 50%, about 1% to 45%, about 1% to 35%, about 1% to 25%, about 1% to 15%, about 1% to 8%, about 1% to 5%, about 4% to 50%, about 4% to 45%, about 4% to 35%, about 4% to 25%, about 4% to 15%, about 4% to 8%, about 10% to 50%, about 10% to 45%, about 10% to 35%, about 10% to 25%, about 10% to 15%, about 15% to 50%, about 15% to 45%, about 15% to 35%, about 15% to 25% by weight of a ferromagnetic material.

[0039] In some embodiments, a functionalized coating can comprise a marker that absorbs NIR light and a ferromagnetic material. This configuration allows for sorting of a resulting substrate having the functionalized coating from a mixed stream on the basis of both NIR light absorption and magnetism.

[0040] A functionalized coating as described herein can be in a number of forms suitable for attaching, printing or affixing to a substrate. In some embodiments, a functionalized coating can be in the form of a functionalized ink composition described herein. In some embodiments, a functionalized coating can be in the form of a film as described herein. In some embodiments, a functionalized coating can be attached to a label as described herein.

[0041] Referring to FIG. 2A-FIG. 2D, the functionalized coating 10 can be printed on the surface of a scaffold 100 directly (FIG. 2A - FIG. 2C) or indirectly on using, for example, a label 104 as the primary scaffold (FIG. 2D). FIG. 2A illustrates a direct coating of the surface of the scaffold 100 with a functionalized coating 10 comprising one or more functional components 102 that impart functionality to the functionalized coating (i.e., a marker that absorbs NIR light and/or a ferromagnetic material). FIG. 2B illustrates microwells on the surface of the scaffold 100 with a functionalized coating 10 coated with the one or more functional components 102. FIG. 2C illustrates a saw tooth design on the surface of the scaffold 100 coated with a functionalized coating 10 comprising the one or more functional components 102. FIG. 2D illustrates a label 104 placed on the surface of the scaffold 100. The label 104 in FIG. 2D is the primary scaffold onto which the one or more functional components 102 of the functionalized coating 10 are coated; thus forming a functionalized label that can be attached to the scaffold 100.

[0042] A functionalized coating, as disclosed herein, is safe for food contact. As such, a functionalized coating, as described herein, is suitable for use as a direct or indirect food contact substance. In some embodiments, a functionalized coating is a food contact substance. For example, all elements of a functionalized coating are food contact substances as defined in Title 21 of the Code of Federal Regulations (see sections 175-178). In some embodiments, all elements of the functionalized coating are selected from the list of generally recognized as safe (GRAS) substances, as listed by the Food and Drug Safety Administration (FDA) in Title 21 of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) (see sections 182, 184, 186).

[0043] In some embodiments, all components of a functionalized coating are food contact substances, and as such the functionalized coating is a food contact substance that is intended to be in contact with food. In order for a functionalized coating to be a food contact substance, materials of the functionalized coating are free of any toxic contaminants which may be contacted during manufacturing process. By including non-toxic materials in a functionalized coating, the functionalized coating can be used as a component in the manufacturing, packing, packaging, transporting, or holding food. In some embodiments, a functionalized coating is safe for food contact and does not become a source of toxic contamination through usage (i.e., degeneration). Safety of a functionalized coating can be determined by estimating and minimizing the “migration limits” of the material. Migration limits can be calculated as defined in U.S. Title 21 CFR, Part 170. For example, migration can be determined by contacting a functionalized coating with a chemical food simulant and measuring weight of the chemical food simulant after the contacting. This determination can be carried out under worst-case (time/temperature) intended use conditions utilizing appropriate chemical food simulants. In some embodiments, overall migration of a functionalized coating is limited to about 10 milligrams (mg) of substances per squared decimeter (dm²) of a potential contact surface, as determined by: contacting the functionalized coating with a chemical food simulant and measuring weight of the chemical food simulant after the contacting. In some embodiments, a functionalized coating meets migration limit requirements of a safe food contact material. In some embodiments, a functionalized coating comprises Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS) substances.

[0044] In some embodiments, a functionalized coating is a solvent-based or a water-based coating. In some embodiments, a functionalized coating is suitable for flexographic printing, gravure printing, intaglio printing, pad printing, screen printing, offset printing, or any combination thereof.

[0045] In some embodiments, a functionalized coating can be transparent or translucent to visible light. In some embodiments, a functionalized coating does not appreciably affect a haze value of a material in contact with the functionalized coating. Haze is measured with a wide angle scattering test in which light is diffused in all directions which results in a loss of contrast. The haze of a transparent sample describes the amount of light scattering, when the light passes the sample. It is defined as the percentage of transmitted light, which in passing through the specimen deviates from the incident beam by forward scattering. That percentage of light that when passing through deviates from the incident beam by greater than 2.5 degrees on average is defined as haze. See through quality is measured with a narrow angle scattering test in which light is diffused in a small range with high concentration. This test measures the clarity with which finer details can be seen through the object being tested. The transparent or translucent film needs the light to be less diffused so that the contents can be seen clearly. The haze meter also measures total transmittance. Total transmittance is the measure of the total incident light compared to the light that is actually transmitted (e.g., total transmittance). So, the incident light may be 100%, but because of absorption and reflection the total transmittance may only be 94%.

Ferromagnetic materials

[0046] In some embodiments, a functionalized coating can comprise a ferromagnetic material that imparts magnetism onto a non-magnetic coating.

[0047] A range of suitable solid phase soft-magnetic, low coercivity materials can be used to impart such ferromagnetic behavior. Non-limiting examples include unadulterated iron powder (includes electrolytic iron, atomized iron, reduced iron) carbonyl iron, carbonyl cobalt, carbonyl nickel, iron alloys (including cobalt, vanadium manganese, molybdenum, silicon, nickel, boron, aluminum, copper), iron oxides (including Fe20s, FesCh), low carbon steel grades, nickel, cobalt, ferritic stainless steel, atomized stainless steel, or any combination thereof. In some embodiments, an iron alloy is a crystalline or an amorphous metallic alloy comprising cobalt, vanadium manganese, molybdenum, silicon, nickel, boron, aluminum, copper, or any combination thereof. In order to be used as a pigment in a formulation of a functionalized coating, such ferromagnetic pigment would be preferably used in the form of dry powder with sizes below 100 micrometers (pm) and most suitably below 10 micrometers (pm).

[0048] In some embodiments, a ferromagnetic material is unadulterated iron powder, carbonyl iron, carbonyl cobalt, carbonyl nickel, iron alloy, iron oxide, low carbon steel grade, nickel, cobalt, ferritic stainless steel, atomized stainless steel, or any combination thereof. In some embodiments, an unadulterated iron powder is electrolytic iron, atomized iron, or reduced iron. In some embodiments, an iron alloy is cobalt, vanadium manganese, molybdenum, silicon, nickel, aluminum, and/or copper. In some embodiments, an iron alloy is a crystalline or an amorphous metallic alloy comprising cobalt, vanadium manganese, molybdenum, silicon, nickel, boron, aluminum, and/or copper, or any combination thereof. In some embodiments, an iron oxide is iron (III) oxide or iron (II, III) oxide. In some embodiments, a ferromagnetic material is a soft ferromagnetic material with small particle sizes ranging from 0.5 - 5 micrometers (pm).

[0049] In some embodiments, particle size distribution of a ferromagnetic materials is maintained such that the D90 size lies between 1-30 microns and the D50 size lies between 1-20 microns. In some embodiments, the D90 size lies between 5-10 microns. The term “D50,” as used herein, is also known as the median diameter or the medium value of the particle size distribution and refers to the value of the particle diameter at 50% in the cumulative distribution. The term “D90,” as used herein refers to the diameter where ninety percent of the distribution has a smaller particle size and ten percent has a larger particle size. [0050] In some embodiments, particle morphology of magnetic materials is controlled to obtain spherical particles. Sphericity of an object is determined by using SEM (scanning electron microscope) measurements of magnetic particles. The term, “scanning electron microscope (SEM),” as used herein, refers to a type of electron microscope that produces images of a sample by scanning a surface with a focused beam of electrons. The electrons interact with atoms in the sample, producing various signals that contain information about the surface topography and composition of the sample.

[0051] In some embodiments, ferromagnetic materials include alloys of iron with cobalt, vanadium manganese, molybdenum, silicon, nickel, boron, aluminum, copper, or any combination thereof. In some embodiments, an iron alloy comprises a composition of Fe = 70-99% (w/w) and Si = 1-30% (w/w). In some embodiments, an iron alloy comprises a composition of Fe = 70-87% (w/w), Si = 2-15% (w/w) and Al = 10-18% (w/w). In some embodiments, an iron alloy comprises the composition of Fe = 10-90% (w/w) and Co = 10-90% (w/w). In some embodiments, an iron alloy comprises the composition of Fe = 10-50%, Co = 50-90% (w/w) and Al = 1-10% (w/w). In some embodiments, an iron alloy comprises the composition of Fe = 10-50% (w/w) and Ni = 50- 90% (w/w). In some embodiments, an iron alloy comprises the composition of Fe = 8-50% (w/w), Ni = 50-90% (w/w) and Mo = 1-10% (w/w). In some embodiments, the iron alloy comprises the composition of Fe = 60-90% (w/w), Cu = 10-15% (w/w) and Si = 15-25% (w/w).

[0052] In some embodiments, a ferromagnetic material is processed or modified to improve magnetic properties. In some embodiments, the magnetic properties are magnetic saturation and/or magnetic permeability. In some embodiments, a ferromagnetic material is modified by physical processing like milling and grinding using a ball mill or a planetary ball mill to obtain particle sizes and morphologies as described herein. In some embodiments, a ferromagnetic material is modified by heat treatment of magnetic powders at temperatures of at least 500°C and up to 1300 °C using a reducing, inert or vacuum atmosphere conditions to reduce impurities in the powders. In some embodiments, a ferromagnetic material is modified by using magnetic fields during heat treatment to achieve further improvement in crystal structure of particles and as a result their magnetic properties. In some embodiments, a ferromagnetic material is modified by using special techniques to avoid sintering of the powders typically observed during high temperature processing of the powders, for example, through heat treatment in a fluidized bed. In some embodiments, a ferromagnetic material is milled using a ball mill or a planetary ball mill or a jet mill to change the particle morphology. In some embodiments, a magnetic particle is modified by a combination of techniques as described above.

[0053] In some embodiments, a ferromagnetic material can be transparent or translucent to visible light. By using transparent or translucent ferromagnetic materials, change in haze values due to the application of a functionalized coating comprising transparent or translucent ferromagnetic materials onto a transparent or translucent label is less than 9% and preferably, less than 5%. In some embodiments, by using the transparent or translucent ferromagnetic materials, overall haze values of a functionalized coating comprising the ferromagnetic materials is less than 17% and preferably, less than 12%. The haze values, as used herein, are measured using ASTM D1003 - 13, which is a standard test method for haze and luminous transmittance of transparent plastics. In some embodiments, by using the transparent or translucent ferromagnetic materials as described above, overall visible (400 - 800 nm) transmission values of a functionalized coating comprising the ferromagnetic materials is greater than 82% and preferably, greater than 90%. In some embodiments, by using the transparent or translucent ferromagnetic materials as described above, overall NIR (near infrared, 750 - 1500 nm) transmission values of a functionalized coating comprising the ferromagnetic materials is greater than 87% and preferably, greater than 90%. In some embodiments, by using the transparent or translucent ferromagnetic materials as described above, a functionalized coating comprising the ferromagnetic materials causes no change in the look of commercial art-work/graphics used on a printed label.

[0054] In some embodiments, a ferromagnetic material can be a ferromagnetic pigment used to impart color onto the surface of a scaffold (for example, as part of a functionalized ink composition described herein).

[0055] In some embodiments, a ferromagnetic material has a particle size ranging from 0.5 - 5 micrometers (pm). In some embodiments, ferromagnetic material particle size ranges from about 0.1 pm to about 30 pm. In some embodiments, ferromagnetic material particle size ranges from about 0.1 pm. In some embodiments, ferromagnetic material particle size ranges from about 30 pm. In some embodiments, ferromagnetic material particle size ranges from about 0.1 pm to about 0.5 pm, about 0.1 pm to about 0.6 pm, about 0.1 pm to about 0.7 pm, about 0.1 pm to about 0.8 pm, about 0.1 pm to about 0.9 pm, about 0.1 pm to about 1 pm, about 0.1 pm to about 2 pm, about 0.1 pm to about 3 pm, about 0.1 pm to about 4 pm, about 0.1 pm to about 5 pm, about 0.1 pm to about 10 pm, about 0.5 pm to about 0.6 pm, about 0.5 pm to about 0.7 pm, about 0.5 pm to about 0.8 pm, about 0.5 pm to about 0.9 pm, about 0.5 pm to about 1 pm, about 0.5 pm to about 2 pm, about 0.5 pm to about 3 pm, about 0.5 pm to about 4 pm, about 0.5 pm to about 5 pm, about 0.5 pm to about 10 pm, about 0.6 pm to about 0.7 pm, about 0.6 pm to about 0.8 pm, about 0.6 pm to about 0.9 pm, about 0.6 pm to about 1 pm, about 0.6 pm to about 2 pm, about 0.6 pm to about 3 pm, about 0.6 pm to about 4 pm, about 0.6 pm to about 5 pm, about 0.6 pm to about 10 pm, about 0.7 pm to about 0.8 pm, about 0.7 pm to about 0.9 pm, about 0.7 pm to about 1 pm, about 0.7 pm to about 2 pm, about 0.7 pm to about 3 pm, about 0.7 pm to about 4 pm, about 0.7 pm to about 5 pm, about 0.7 pm to about 10 pm, about 0.8 pm to about 0.9 pm, about 0.8 pm to about 1 pm, about 0.8 pm to about 2 pm, about 0.8 pm to about 3 pm, about 0.8 pm to about 4 pm, about 0.8 pm to about 5 pm, about 0.8 pm to about 10 pm, about 0.9 pm to about 1 pm, about 0.9 pm to about 2 pm, about 0.9 pm to about 3 pm, about 0.9 pm to about 4 pm, about 0.9 pm to about 5 pm, about 0.9 pm to about 10 pm, about 1 pm to about 2 pm, about 1 pm to about 3 pm, about 1 pm to about 4 pm, about 1 pm to about 5 pm, about 1 pm to about 10 pm, about 2 pm to about 3 pm, about 2 pm to about 4 pm, about 2 pm to about 5 pm, about 2 pm to about 10 pm, about 3 pm to about 4 pm, about 3 pm to about 5 pm, about 3 pm to about 10 pm, about 4 pm to about 5 pm, about 4 pm to about 10 pm, or about 5 pm to about 10 pm. In some embodiments, the ferromagnetic material particle size ranges from about 0.1 pm, about 0.5 pm, about 0.6 pm, about 0.7 pm, about 0.8 pm, about 0.9 pm, about 1 pm, about 2 pm, about 3 pm, about 4 pm, about 5 pm, or about 10 pm.

[0056] In some embodiments, a ferromagnetic material is characterized by having a low coercivity (denoted as He). In some embodiments, a ferromagnetic material has a low normal coercivity (denoted as Hen), where the normal coercivity Hen is the H field required to reduce the magnetic flux (average B field inside the material) to zero, as determined by measurement of the magnetic hysteresis loop of the ferromagnetic material using an alternating-gradient magnetometer.

[0057] In some embodiments, a ferromagnetic material retains its magnetization, after exposure and removal of a magnetic field, for an amount of time that is dependent on coercivity (such as normal coercivity). In some embodiments, a ferromagnetic material as described herein having a low normal coercivity has a quicker demagnetization than a ferromagnetic material with a high coercivity. Without wishing to be bound by theory, low coercivity ferromagnetic materials (i.e., soft ferromagnetic materials) generally display lower toxicity than high coercivity ferromagnetic materials (i.e., hard ferromagnetic materials). Furthermore, the ability of low coercivity ferromagnetic materials (i.e., soft ferromagnetic materials) to demagnetize quicker than high coercivity ferromagnetic materials (i.e., hard ferromagnetic materials) allows for separation of low coercivity ferromagnetic materials (including substrates having the low coercivity ferromagnetic materials) from high coercivity ferromagnetic materials and objects.

[0058] In some embodiments, a ferromagnetic material is characterized by a low normal coercivity ranging from about 0.8 8 A/m to about 8 A/m, as determined by measurement of magnetic hysteresis loop of the ferromagnetic material using an alternating-gradient magnetometer. In some embodiments, a ferromagnetic material is characterized by a low normal coercivity ranging from about 0.5 A/m to about 10 A/m as determined by measurement of magnetic hysteresis loop of the ferromagnetic material using an alternating-gradient magnetometer. In some embodiments, a ferromagnetic material is characterized by a low normal coercivity of about 0.5 A/m, as determined by measurement of magnetic hysteresis loop of the ferromagnetic material using an alternating- gradient magnetometer. In some embodiments, a ferromagnetic material is characterized by a low normal coercivity of about 10 A/m as determined by measurement of magnetic hysteresis loop of the ferromagnetic material using an alternating-gradient magnetometer. In some embodiments, a ferromagnetic material is characterized by a low normal coercivity ranging from about 0.5 A/m to about 0.6 A/m, about 0.5 A/m to about 0.7 A/m, about 0.5 A/m to about 0.8 A/m, about 0.5 A/m to about 0.9 A/m, about 0.5 A/m to about 1 A/m, about 0.5 A/m to about 2 A/m, about 0.5 A/m to about 3 A/m, about 0.5 A/m to about 4 A/m, about 0.5 A/m to about 5 A/m, about 0.5 A/m to about 8 A/m, about 0.5 A/m to about 10 A/m, about 0.6 A/m to about 0.7 A/m, about 0.6 A/m to about 0.8 A/m, about 0.6 A/m to about 0.9 A/m, about 0.6 A/m to about 1 A/m, about 0.6 A/m to about

2 A/m, about 0.6 A/m to about 3 A/m, about 0.6 A/m to about 4 A/m, about 0.6 A/m to about 5 A/m, about 0.6 A/m to about 8 A/m, about 0.6 A/m to about 10 A/m, about 0.7 A/m to about 0.8 A/m, about 0.7 A/m to about 0.9 A/m, about 0.7 A/m to about 1 A/m, about 0.7 A/m to about 2 A/m, about 0.7 A/m to about 3 A/m, about 0.7 A/m to about 4 A/m, about 0.7 A/m to about 5 A/m, about 0.7 A/m to about 8 A/m, about 0.7 A/m to about 10 A/m, about 0.8 A/m to about 0.9 A/m, about 0.8 A/m to about 1 A/m, about 0.8 A/m to about 2 A/m, about 0.8 A/m to about 3 A/m, about 0.8 A/m to about 4 A/m, about 0.8 A/m to about 5 A/m, about 0.8 A/m to about 8 A/m, about 0.8 A/m to about 10 A/m, about 0.9 A/m to about 1 A/m, about 0.9 A/m to about 2 A/m, about 0.9 A/m to about 3 A/m, about 0.9 A/m to about 4 A/m, about 0.9 A/m to about 5 A/m, about 0.9 A/m to about 8 A/m, about 0.9 A/m to about 10 A/m, about 1 A/m to about 2 A/m, about 1 A/m to about

3 A/m, about 1 A/m to about 4 A/m, about 1 A/m to about 5 A/m, about 1 A/m to about 8 A/m, about 1 A/m to about 10 A/m, about 2 A/m to about 3 A/m, about 2 A/m to about 4 A/m, about 2 A/m to about 5 A/m, about 2 A/m to about 8 A/m, about 2 A/m to about 10 A/m, about 3 A/m to about 4 A/m, about 3 A/m to about 5 A/m, about 3 A/m to about 8 A/m, about 3 A/m to about 10 A/m, about 4 A/m to about 5 A/m, about 4 A/m to about 8 A/m, about 4 A/m to about 10 A/m, about 5 A/m to about 8 A/m, about 5 A/m to about 10 A/m, or about 8 A/m to about 10 A/m, as determined by measurement of magnetic hysteresis loop of the ferromagnetic material using an alternating-gradient magnetometer. In some embodiments, a ferromagnetic material is characterized by a low normal coercivity ranging from about 0.5 A/m, about 0.6 A/m, about 0.7 A/m, about 0.8 A/m, about 0.9 A/m, about 1 A/m, about 2 A/m, about 3 A/m, about 4 A/m, about 5 A/m, about 8 A/m, or about 10 A/m, as determined by measurement of magnetic hysteresis loop of the ferromagnetic material using an alternating-gradient magnetometer.

[0059] In some embodiments, a ferromagnetic material is characterized by low magnetic hysteresis losses per remagnetization cycle, as determined by measurement of magnetic hysteresis loop of the ferromagnetic material using an alternating-gradient magnetometer. In some embodiments, a ferromagnetic material has a magnetic hysteresis loss per re-magnetization cycle ranging from about 1 to about 10³ joules per cubic meter (J/m³). In some embodiments, a ferromagnetic material has a magnetic hysteresis loss per re-magnetization cycle ranging from about 0.1 joules per cubic meter to about 10,000 joules per cubic meter. In some embodiments, a ferromagnetic material has a magnetic hysteresis loss per re-magnetization cycle ranging from about 0.1 joules per cubic meter. In some embodiments, a ferromagnetic material has a magnetic hysteresis loss per remagnetization cycle ranging from about 10,000 joules per cubic meter. In some embodiments, a ferromagnetic material has a magnetic hysteresis loss per re-magnetization cycle ranging from about 0.1 joules per cubic meter to about 1 joule per cubic meter, about 0.1 joules per cubic meter to about 10 joules per cubic meter, about 0.1 joules per cubic meter to about 50 joules per cubic meter, about 0.1 joules per cubic meter to about 100 joules per cubic meter, about 0.1 joules per cubic meter to about 500 joules per cubic meter, about 0.1 joules per cubic meter to about 1,000 joules per cubic meter, about 0.1 joules per cubic meter to about 1,500 joules per cubic meter, about 0.1 joules per cubic meter to about 10,000 joules per cubic meter, about 1 joule per cubic meter to about 10 joules per cubic meter, about 1 joule per cubic meter to about 50 joules per cubic meter, about 1 joule per cubic meter to about 100 joules per cubic meter, about 1 joule per cubic meter to about 500 joules per cubic meter, about 1 joule per cubic meter to about 1,000 joules per cubic meter, about 1 joule per cubic meter to about 1,500 joules per cubic meter, about 1 joule per cubic meter to about 10,000 joules per cubic meter, about 10 joules per cubic meter to about 50 joules per cubic meter, about 10 joules per cubic meter to about 100 joules per cubic meter, about 10 joules per cubic meter to about 500 joules per cubic meter, about 10 joules per cubic meter to about 1,000 joules per cubic meter, about 10 joules per cubic meter to about 1,500 joules per cubic meter, about 10 joules per cubic meter to about 10,000 joules per cubic meter, about 50 joules per cubic meter to about 100 joules per cubic meter, about 50 joules per cubic meter to about 500 joules per cubic meter, about 50 joules per cubic meter to about 1,000 joules per cubic meter, about 50 joules per cubic meter to about 1,500 joules per cubic meter, about 50 joules per cubic meter to about 10,000 joules per cubic meter, about 100 joules per cubic meter to about 500 joules per cubic meter, about 100 joules per cubic meter to about 1,000 joules per cubic meter, about 100 joules per cubic meter to about 1,500 joules per cubic meter, about 100 joules per cubic meter to about 10,000 joules per cubic meter, about 500 joules per cubic meter to about 1,000 joules per cubic meter, about 500 joules per cubic meter to about 1,500 joules per cubic meter, about 500 joules per cubic meter to about 10,000 joules per cubic meter, about 1,000 joules per cubic meter to about 1,500 joules per cubic meter, about 1,000 joules per cubic meter to about 10,000 joules per cubic meter, or about 1,500 joules per cubic meter to about 10,000 joules per cubic meter. In some embodiments, a ferromagnetic material has a magnetic hysteresis loss per re-magnetization cycle ranging from about 0.1 joules per cubic meter, about 1 joule per cubic meter, about 10 joules per cubic meter, about 50 joules per cubic meter, about 100 joules per cubic meter, about 500 joules per cubic meter, about 1,000 joules per cubic meter, about 1,500 joules per cubic meter, or about 10,000 joules per cubic meter.

[0060] In some embodiments, a ferromagnetic material is magnetized spontaneously. In some embodiments, a ferromagnetic material is magnetized spontaneously when placed in contact with a magnetic field. In some embodiments, at temperatures below the Curie point, a ferromagnetic material is magnetized spontaneously but does not manifest magnetic properties externally.

[0061] In some embodiments, a ferromagnetic material is an indirect food additive. In some embodiments, a ferromagnetic material may come into contact with food as part of packaging or processing equipment, but are not intended to be added directly to food. In some embodiments, a ferromagnetic material is a food contact substance as defined herein. In some embodiments, migration of a ferromagnetic material is limited to about 10 milligrams (mg) of substances per squared decimeter (dm²) of a potential contact surface, as determined by: contacting the ferromagnetic material (or a functionalized coating containing the ferromagnetic material) with a chemical food simulant and measuring weight of the chemical food simulant after the contacting. [0062] Disclosed herein is a composition comprising a ferromagnetic material described herein, and at least one of a resin, a wetting agent and a dispersing agent. For example, in some embodiments, a composition comprises a ferromagnetic material, and a resin, in some embodiments, a composition comprises a ferromagnetic material, and a wetting agent. In some embodiments, a composition comprises a ferromagnetic material, and a dispersing agent. In some embodiments, the composition can be used for making a functionalized ink composition. In some embodiments, the composition can be used for making a functionalized film. In some embodiments, the composition can be used for making a functionalized label. In some embodiments, the composition comprises a ferromagnetic material in a range of from 10% (w/w) to 60% (w/w), from 10% (w/w) to 50% (w/w), from 10% (w/w) to 40% (w/w), from 10% (w/w) to 30% (w/w), from 10% (w/w) to 20% (w/w), from 20% (w/w) to 50% (w/w), from 20% (w/w) to 40% (w/w), from 20% (w/w) to 30% (w/w), from 30% (w/w) to 50% (w/w), from 30% (w/w) to 40% (w/w), or from 40% (w/w) to 50% (w/w).

NIR Markers

[0063] In some embodiments, a functionalized coating can comprise a marker that absorbs NIR light, which imparts NIR light absorption onto a coating that is transparent to NIR light.

[0064] In some embodiments, a marker that absorbs NIR light comprises at least 5 ppm by weight of the functionalized coating. In some embodiments, a marker that absorbs NIR light comprises at least 10 ppm by weight of the functionalized coating. In some embodiments, a marker that absorbs NIR light comprises at least 20 ppm by weight of the functionalized coating. In some embodiments, a marker that absorbs NIR light comprises at least 30 ppm by weight of the functionalized coating. In some embodiments, a marker that absorbs NIR light comprises at least 40 ppm by weight of the functionalized coating. In some embodiments, a marker that absorbs NIR light comprises at least 50 ppm by weight of the functionalized coating. In some embodiments, a marker that absorbs NIR light comprises at least 60 ppm by weight of the functionalized coating. In some embodiments, a marker that absorbs NIR light comprises at least 70 ppm by weight of the functionalized coating. In some embodiments, a marker that absorbs NIR light comprises at least 80 ppm by weight of the functionalized coating. In some embodiments, a marker that absorbs NIR light comprises at least 90 ppm by weight of the functionalized coating. In some embodiments, a marker that absorbs NIR light comprises at least 100 ppm by weight of the functionalized coating. In some embodiments, a marker that absorbs NIR light comprises at least 200 ppm by weight of the functionalized coating. In some embodiments, a marker that absorbs NIR light comprises at least 300 ppm by weight of the functionalized coating. In some embodiments, a marker that absorbs NIR light comprises at least 400 ppm by weight of the functionalized coating. In some embodiments, a marker that absorbs NIR light comprises at least 500 ppm by weight of the functionalized coating. In some embodiments, a marker that absorbs NIR light comprises at least 600 ppm by weight of the functionalized coating. In some embodiments, a marker that absorbs NIR light comprises at least 700 ppm by weight of the functionalized coating. In some embodiments, a marker that absorbs NIR light comprises at least 800 ppm by weight of the functionalized coating. In some embodiments, a marker that absorbs NIR light comprises at least 900 ppm by weight of the functionalized coating. In some embodiments, a marker that absorbs NIR light comprises at least 1000 ppm by weight of the functionalized coating. In some embodiments, a marker that absorbs NIR light comprises at least 2000 ppm by weight of the functionalized coating. In some embodiments, a marker that absorbs NIR light comprises at least 3000 ppm by weight of the functionalized coating. In some embodiments, a marker that absorbs NIR light comprises at least 4000 ppm by weight of the functionalized coating. In some embodiments, a marker that absorbs NIR light comprises at least 5000 ppm by weight of the functionalized coating. In some embodiments, a marker that absorbs NIR light comprises at least 6000 ppm by weight of the functionalized coating. In some embodiments, a marker that absorbs NIR light comprises at least 7000 ppm by weight of the functionalized coating. In some embodiments, a marker that absorbs NIR light comprises at least 8000 ppm by weight of the functionalized coating. In some embodiments, a marker that absorbs NIR light comprises at least 9000 ppm by weight of the functionalized coating. In some embodiments, a marker that absorbs NIR light comprises at least 10000 ppm by weight of the functionalized coating. In some embodiments, a marker that absorbs NIR light comprises at least 20000 ppm by weight of the functionalized coating. In some embodiments, a marker that absorbs NIR light comprises at least 30000 ppm by weight of the functionalized coating. In some embodiments, a marker that absorbs NIR light comprises at least 40000 ppm by weight of the functionalized coating. In some embodiments, a marker that absorbs NIR light comprises at least 50000 ppm by weight of the functionalized coating. In some embodiments, a marker that absorbs NIR light comprises at least 60000 ppm by weight of the functionalized coating. In some embodiments, a marker that absorbs NIR light comprises at least 70000 ppm by weight of the functionalized coating. In some embodiments, a marker that absorbs NIR light comprises at least 80000 ppm by weight of the functionalized coating. In some embodiments, a marker that absorbs NIR light comprises at least 90000 ppm by weight of the functionalized coating. In some embodiments, a marker that absorbs NIR light comprises at least 100000 ppm by weight of the functionalized coating.

[0065] In some embodiments, a functionalized coating comprises a marker that absorbs NIR light in a range of from about 5 ppm to about 50000 ppm, from about 5 ppm to about 45000 ppm, from about 5 ppm to about 40000 ppm, from about 5 ppm to about 35000 ppm, from about 5 ppm to about 30000 ppm, from about 5 ppm to about 25000 ppm, from about 5 ppm to about 20000 ppm, from about 5 ppm to about 15000 ppm, from about 5 ppm to about 10000 ppm, from about 5 ppm to about 5000 ppm, from about 5 ppm to about 1000 ppm, from about 5 ppm to about 950 ppm, from about 5 ppm to about 900 ppm, from about 5 ppm to about 850 ppm, from about 5 ppm to about 800 ppm, from about 5 ppm to about 750 ppm, from about 5 ppm to about 700 ppm, from about 5 ppm to about 650 ppm, from about 5 ppm to about 600 ppm, from about 5 ppm to about 550 ppm, from about 5 ppm to about 500 ppm, from about 5 ppm to about 450 ppm, from about 5 ppm to about 400 ppm, from about 5 ppm to about 350 ppm, from about 5 ppm to about 300 ppm, from about 5 ppm to about 250 ppm, from about 5 ppm to about 200 ppm, from about 5 ppm to about 150 ppm, or from about 5 ppm to about 100 ppm.

[0066] In some embodiments, a functionalized coating absorbs UV light. In some embodiments, a marker that absorbs NIR light also absorbs UV light. In some embodiments, a marker absorbs NIR light having a wavelength in a range of from 900 to 2200 nm, from 900 to 2000 nm, from 900 to 1700 nm, from 900 to 1400 nm, from 900 to 1200 nm, from 900 to 1000 nm, from 1100 to 2200 nm, from 1100 to 2000 nm, from 1100 to 1700 nm, from 1100 to 1400 nm, from 1100 to 1200 nm, from 1500 to 2200 nm, from 1500 to 2000 nm, from 1500 to 1700 nm, from 1700 to 2200 nm, or from 1700 to 2000 nm. In some embodiments, a marker that absorbs NIR light having a wavelength of from 900 to 2000 nm. In some embodiments, a marker that absorbs NIR light having a wavelength of from 900 to 1400 nm. In some embodiments, a marker that absorbs NIR light having a wavelength of from 1000 to 1300 nm. In some embodiments, a marker that absorbs NIR light having a wavelength of from 1100 to 1200 nm. In some embodiments, a marker following exposure to NIR light emits light having a wavelength in a range of from 900 to 2500 nm. In some embodiments, a marker following exposure to NIR light emits light having a wavelength of from 900 to 1700 nm. In some embodiments, a marker following exposure to NIR light emits light having a wavelength of from 1000 to 1200 nm. In some embodiments, a marker following exposure to NIR light emits light having a wavelength of from 900 to 1100 nm. In some embodiments, a marker following exposure to NIR light emits light having a wavelength of from 1100 to 1400 nm. In some embodiments, a marker following exposure to NIR light emits light having a wavelength of from 1200 to 1500 nm. In some embodiments, a marker following exposure to NIR light emits light having a wavelength of from 1500 to 1700 nm. In some embodiments, a marker that absorbs NIR light is an absorptive dye. In some embodiments, a marker that absorbs NIR light is an absorptive dye. In some embodiments, a marker that absorbs NIR light is an absorptive dye. In some embodiments, an absorptive dye is an organic dye, a cyanine dye, an azo dye, a fluorophore, and an azoBODIPY dye. In some embodiments, a marker is soluble in an organic solvent. In some embodiments, an organic solvent is a polar solvent. In some embodiments, an organic solvent is a non-polar solvent. In some embodiments, an organic solvent is water miscible. In some embodiments, an organic solvent is not water miscible. In some embodiments, an organic solvent is isopropyl alcohol, ethyl alcohol, n-propyl alcohol, ethyl acetate, n-propyl acetate, acetone, methyl ethyl ketone, methyl isobutyl ketone, toluene, xylene, or benzene. In some embodiments, a marker that absorbs NIR light is soluble in an aqueous solution.

[0067] Disclosed herein is a composition comprising a marker described herein, and at least one of a resin, a wetting agent and a dispersing agent. For example, in some embodiments, a composition comprises a marker described herein, and a resin, in some embodiments, a composition comprises a marker described herein, and a wetting agent. In some embodiments, a composition comprises a marker described herein, and a dispersing agent. In some embodiments, the composition can be used for making a functionalized ink composition described herein. In some embodiments, the composition can be used for making a functionalized film described herein. In some embodiments, the composition can be used for making a functionalized label described herein.

[0068] Disclosed herein is a composition comprising a marker described herein, and at least one of a resin, a wetting agent and a dispersing agent. For example, in some embodiments, a composition comprises a marker, and a resin. In some embodiments, a composition comprises a marker, and a wetting agent. In some embodiments, a composition comprises a marker, and a dispersing agent. In some embodiments, the composition can be used for making a functionalized ink composition. In some embodiments, the composition can be used for making a functionalized film. In some embodiments, the composition can be used for making a functionalized label. In some embodiments, the composition comprises a marker in a range of from 10% (w/w) to 60%

(w/w), from 10% (w/w) to 50% (w/w), from 10% (w/w) to 40% (w/w), from 10% (w/w) to 30%

(w/w), from 10% (w/w) to 20% (w/w), from 20% (w/w) to 50% (w/w), from 20% (w/w) to 40%

(w/w), from 20% (w/w) to 30% (w/w), from 30% (w/w) to 50% (w/w), from 30% (w/w) to 40%

(w/w), or from 40% (w/w) to 50% (w/w).

Functionalized ink compositions

[0069] In some embodiments, a functionalized coating can be in the form of a functionalized ink composition. A functionalized ink composition, as described herein, is a composition with one or more functional components that can printed onto a scaffold, thereby producing a substrate having a function of the one or more functional components. In some embodiments, a functionalized ink composition comprises: (a) a ferromagnetic material described herein or a marker described herein, a resin, and at least one of a wetting agent and a dispersing agent. In some embodiments, a functionalized ink composition is suitable for flexographic printing, gravure printing, intaglio printing, pad printing, screen printing, offset printing, or any combination thereof.

[0070] In some embodiments, a resin comprises about 5% of the weight of the functionalized ink composition. In some embodiments, a resin comprises about 10% of the weight of the functionalized ink composition. In some embodiments, a resin comprises about 0.5 % to about 70 %. In some embodiments, a resin comprises at least about 0.5 % of the weight of the functionalized ink composition. In some embodiments, a resin comprises at most about 70 % of the weight of the functionalized ink composition. In some embodiments, a resin comprises about 0.5 % to about 1 %, about 0.5 % to about 5 %, about 0.5 % to about 10 %, about 0.5 % to about 15 %, about 0.5 % to about 20 %, about 0.5 % to about 25 %, about 0.5 % to about 30 %, about 0.5 % to about 40 %, about 0.5 % to about 50 %, about 0.5 % to about 60 %, about 0.5 % to about 70 %, about 1 % to about 5 %, about 1 % to about 10 %, about 1 % to about 15 %, about 1 % to about 20 %, about 1 % to about 25 %, about 1 % to about 30 %, about 1 % to about 40 %, about 1 % to about 50 %, about 1 % to about 60 %, about 1 % to about 70 %, about 5 % to about 10 %, about 5 % to about 15 %, about 5 % to about 20 %, about 5 % to about 25 %, about 5 % to about 30 %, about 5 % to about 40 %, about 5 % to about 50 %, about 5 % to about 60 %, about 5 % to about 70 %, about 10 % to about 15 %, about 10 % to about 20 %, about 10 % to about 25 %, about 10 % to about 30 %, about 10 % to about 40 %, about 10 % to about 50 %, about 10 % to about 60 %, about 10 % to about 70 %, about 15 % to about 20 %, about 15 % to about 25 %, about 15 % to about 30 %, about 15 % to about 40 %, about 15 % to about 50 %, about 15 % to about 60 %, about 15 % to about 70 %, about 20 % to about 25 %, about 20 % to about 30 %, about 20 % to about 40 %, about 20 % to about 50 %, about 20 % to about 60 %, about 20 % to about 70 %, about 25 % to about 30 %, about 25 % to about 40 %, about 25 % to about 50 %, about 25 % to about 60 %, about 25 % to about 70 %, about 30 % to about 40 %, about 30 % to about 50 %, about 30 % to about 60 %, about 30 % to about 70 %, about 40 % to about 50 %, about 40 % to about 60 %, about 40 % to about 70 %, about 50 % to about 60 %, about 50 % to about 70 %, or about 60 % to about 70 % of weight of a functionalized ink composition. In some embodiments, a resin comprises about 0.5 %, about 1 %, about 5 %, about 10 %, about 15 %, about 20 %, about 25 %, about 30 %, about 40 %, about 50 %, about 60 %, or about 70 % of weight of a functionalized ink composition. [0071] In some embodiments, a resin is a vinyl chloride vinyl acetate copolymer, nitrocellulose, polyurethane, a ketone aldehyde polymer, an alcohol-soluble polyamide, a co-solvent polyamide, a maleic resin, an ester gum resin, an acrylic resin, a cellulose acetate butyrate resin, cellulose acetate propionate, an amorphous polyester resin, a chlorinated rubber, an ethyl vinyl acetate resin, or any combination thereof. In some embodiments, a resin is a mixture of vinyl chloride, vinyl acetate co-polymers, and acrylic resins. In some embodiments, a resin is a mixture of vinyl acetate co-polymers and acrylic resins. In some embodiments, a resin is a mixture of vinyl chloride and acrylic resins. In some embodiments, a resin is a mixture of vinyl chloride and vinyl acetate copolymers.

[0072] In some embodiments, a wetting and/or a dispersing agent solves potential printing issues and/or reduced magnetic strength overtime caused by a heavy thixotropic rheology of a functionalized ink and/or a soft settling of ferromagnetic pigments upon aging of the functionalized ink. In some embodiments, a functionalized ink comprises an anti-settling agent. In some embodiments, a wetting, dispersing, and/or anti-settling agent comprises a carboxyl functionality. In some embodiments, a wetting, dispersing, and/or anti-settling agent comprises a hydroxyl functionality. In some embodiments, a wetting, dispersing, and/or anti-settling agent comprises an amphoteric functionality. In some embodiments, a wetting, dispersing, and/or anti-settling agent is amine-based. In some embodiments, a wetting and/or the dispersing agent is a polymeric dispersant. In some embodiments, a wetting and/or the dispersing agent contains blends of surfactants that are amphoteric, cationic, anionic, or non-ionic. Exemplary wetting and/or the dispersing agents include Solsperse 8200, Solsperse 2000, Solsperse 24000, Solsperse 17000, Disperbyk 108, Disperbyk 2155, Disperbyk 9077, WA5013, 98C, BYK 111, or any combination thereof.

[0073] An “anti-settling agent,” as used herein, refers to an agent used for preventing the formation of hard deposit, or the settlement of pigments or other solid particles. The anti-settling agent helps in eliminating the heavy settling in functionalized ink compositions described herein. In some embodiments, the anti-settling additive is fumed silica, polyamide derivatives, waxes or any combination thereof.

[0074] In some embodiments, a functionalized ink composition comprises a wetting and/or dispersing agent. In some embodiments, a wetting and/or dispersing agent comprised about 1 % of weight of a functionalized ink composition. In some embodiments, a wetting and/or dispersing agent comprised about 2 % of weight of a functionalized ink composition. In some embodiments, a wetting and/or dispersing agent comprises about 3 % of weight of a functionalized ink composition. In some embodiments, a wetting and/or dispersing agent comprised about 4 % of weight of a functionalized ink composition. In some embodiments, a wetting and/or dispersing agent comprises about 5 % of weight of a functionalized ink composition. In some embodiments, a wetting and/or dispersing agent comprises about 0.5 % to about 50 % of weight of a functionalized ink composition. In some embodiments, a wetting and/or dispersing agent comprises at least about 0.5 % of weight of a functionalized ink composition. In some embodiments, a wetting and/or dispersing agent comprises at most about 50 % of weight of a functionalized ink composition. In some embodiments, a wetting and/or dispersing agent comprises about 0.5 % to about 1 %, about 0.5 % to about 2 %, about 0.5 % to about 3 %, about 0.5 % to about 4 %, about 0.5 % to about 5 %, about 0.5 % to about 10 %, about 0.5 % to about 15 %, about 0.5 % to about 20 %, about 0.5 % to about 30 %, about 0.5 % to about 40 %, about 0.5 % to about 50 %, about 1 % to about 2 %, about 1 % to about 3 %, about 1 % to about 4 %, about 1 % to about 5 %, about 1 % to about 10 %, about 1 % to about 15 %, about 1 % to about 20 %, about 1 % to about 30 %, about 1 % to about 40 %, about 1 % to about 50 %, about 2 % to about 3 %, about 2 % to about 4 %, about 2 % to about 5 %, about 2 % to about 10 %, about 2 % to about 15 %, about 2 % to about 20 %, about 2 % to about 30 %, about 2 % to about 40 %, about 2 % to about 50 %, about 3 % to about 4 %, about 3 % to about 5 %, about 3 % to about 10 %, about 3 % to about 15 %, about 3 % to about 20 %, about 3 % to about 30 %, about 3 % to about 40 %, about 3 % to about 50 %, about 4 % to about 5 %, about 4 % to about 10 %, about 4 % to about 15 %, about 4 % to about 20 %, about 4 % to about 30 %, about 4 % to about 40 %, about 4 % to about 50 %, about 5 % to about 10 %, about 5 % to about 15 %, about 5 % to about 20 %, about 5 % to about 30 %, about 5 % to about 40 %, about 5 % to about 50 %, about 10 % to about 15 %, about 10 % to about 20 %, about 10 % to about 30 %, about 10 % to about 40 %, about 10 % to about 50 %, about 15 % to about 20 %, about 15 % to about 30 %, about 15 % to about 40 %, about 15 % to about 50 %, about 20 % to about 30 %, about 20 % to about 40 %, about 20 % to about 50 %, about 30 % to about 40 %, about 30 % to about 50 %, or about 40 % to about 50 % of weight of a functionalized ink composition. In some embodiments, a wetting and/or dispersing agent comprises about 0.5 %, about 1 %, about 2 %, about 3 %, about 4 %, about 5 %, about 10 %, about 15 %, about 20 %, about 30 %, about 40 %, or about 50 % of weight of a functionalized ink composition.

[0075] In some embodiments, a functionalized ink composition further comprises at least one solvent. In some embodiments, at least one solvent is safe for food contact. In some embodiments, at least one solvent is a food contact substance. In some embodiments, a solvent comprises at least 25% of weight of a functionalized ink composition. In some embodiments, a solvent comprises about 50% of weight of a functionalized ink composition. In some embodiments, a solvent comprises about 55% of weight of a functionalized ink composition. In some embodiments, a solvent comprises about 56% of the weight of the functionalized ink composition. In some embodiments, a solvent comprises about 57% of weight of a functionalized ink composition. In some embodiments, a solvent comprises about 58% of weight of a functionalized ink composition. In some embodiments, a solvent comprises about 59% of weight of a functionalized ink composition. In some embodiments, a solvent comprises about 60% of the weight of the functionalized ink composition. In some embodiments, a solvent comprises about 5 % to about 90 % of weight of a functionalized ink composition. In some embodiments, a solvent comprises at least about 5 % of weight of a functionalized ink composition. In some embodiments, a solvent comprises at most about 90 %. In some embodiments, a solvent comprises about 5 % to about 10 %, about 5 % to about 20 %, about 5 % to about 30 %, about 5 % to about 40 %, about 5 % to about 50 %, about 5 % to about 55 %, about 5 % to about 60 %, about 5 % to about 65 %, about 5 % to about 70 %, about 5 % to about 80 %, about 5 % to about 90 %, about 10 % to about 20 %, about 10 % to about 30 %, about 10 % to about 40 %, about 10 % to about 50 %, about 10 % to about 55 %, about 10 % to about 60 %, about 10 % to about 65 %, about 10 % to about 70 %, about 10 % to about 80 %, about 10 % to about 90 %, about 20 % to about 30 %, about 20 % to about 40 %, about 20 % to about 50 %, about 20 % to about 55 %, about 20 % to about 60 %, about 20 % to about 65 %, about 20 % to about 70 %, about 20 % to about 80 %, about 20 % to about 90 %, about 30 % to about 40 %, about 30 % to about 50 %, about 30 % to about 55 %, about 30 % to about 60 %, about 30 % to about 65 %, about 30 % to about 70 %, about 30 % to about 80 %, about 30 % to about 90 %, about 40 % to about 50 %, about 40 % to about 55 %, about 40 % to about 60 %, about 40 % to about 65 %, about 40 % to about 70 %, about 40 % to about 80 %, about 40 % to about 90 %, about 50 % to about 55 %, about 50 % to about 60 %, about 50 % to about 65 %, about 50 % to about 70 %, about 50 % to about 80 %, about 50 % to about 90 %, about 55 % to about 60 %, about 55 % to about 65 %, about 55 % to about 70 %, about 55 % to about 80 %, about 55 % to about 90 %, about 60 % to about 65 %, about 60 % to about 70 %, about 60 % to about 80 %, about 60 % to about 90 %, about 65 % to about 70 %, about 65 % to about 80 %, about 65 % to about 90 %, about 70 % to about 80 %, about 70 % to about 90 %, or about 80 % to about 90 % of weight of a functionalized ink composition. In some embodiments, a solvent comprises about 5 %, about 10 %, about 20 %, about 30 %, about 40 %, about 50 %, about 55 %, about 60 %, about 65 %, about 70 %, about 80 %, or about 90 % of weight of a functionalized ink composition.

[0076] In some embodiments, a solvent is methanol, ethanol, n-propanol, isopropyl alcohol, ethyl acetate, n-propyl acetate, isopropyl acetate, n-butyl acetate, toluene, methyl ethyl ketone, acetone, or any combination thereof.

[0077] In some embodiments, a functionalized ink composition comprises a functional component (z.e., a ferromagnetic material described herein and/or a marker that absorbs NIR light as described herein). In some embodiments, a functionalized ink composition comprises a functional component /resin ratio ranging from about 1/80 to 6/1. In some embodiments, a functionalized ink composition comprises a functional component/resin ratio ranging from about 1/10 to 3/1. In some embodiments, a functionalized ink composition comprises a functional component/resin ratio ranging from about 1/5 to 2/1. In some embodiments, a functionalized ink composition further comprises a functional component/resin ratio ranging from about 1/6 to about 6/1. In some embodiments, a functionalized ink composition further comprises a functional component/resin ratio ranging from about 2/1 to about 6/1. In some embodiments, a functionalized ink composition further comprises a functional component/resin ratio ranging from about 3/1 to about 5/1. In some embodiments, a functionalized ink composition comprises a functional component /resin ratio ranging from about 1/100,000 to about 10/1. In some embodiments, a functionalized ink composition comprises a functional component /resin ratio ranging from about 1/100,000 to about 10/1, from about 1/100,000 to about 9/1, from about 1/100,000 to about 8/1, from about 1/100,000 to about 7/1, from about 1/100,000 to about 6/1, from about 1/100,000 to about 5/1, from about 1/100,000 to about 4/1, from about 1/100,000 to about 3/1, from about 1/100,000 to about 2/1, from about 1/100,000 to about 1/1, from about 1/100,000 to about 1/2, from about 1/100,000 to about 1/3, from about 1/100,000 to about 1/4, from about 1/100,000 to about 1/5, from about 1/100,000 to about 1/6, from about 1/100,000 to about 1/7, from about 1/100,000 to about 1/8, from about 1/100,000 to about 1/9, from about 1/100,000 to about 1/10, from about 1/100,000 to about 1/20, from about 1/100,000 to about 1/30, from about 1/100,000 to about 1/40, from about 1/100,000 to about 1/50, from about 1/100,000 to about 1/60, from about 1/100,000 to about 1/70, from about 1/100,000 to about 1/80, from about 1/100,000 to about 1/90, from about 1/100,000 to about 1/100, from about 1/100,000 to about 1/200, from about 1/100,000 to about 1/300, from about 1/100,000 to about 1/400, from about 1/100,000 to about 1/500, from about 1/100,000 to about 1/600, from about 1/100,000 to about 1/700, from about 1/100,000 to about 1/800, from about 1/100,000 to about 1/900, or from about 1/100,000 to about 1/1,000. [0078] In some embodiments, a functional component and resin has a printed coating weight of about 10 grams per square meter. In some embodiments, a functional component and resin has a printed coating weight of about 0.5 grams per square meters to about 15 grams per square meters. In some embodiments, a functional component and resin has a printed coating weight of about 0.5 grams per square meters. In some embodiments, a functional component and resin has a printed coating weight of about 15 grams per square meters. In some embodiments, a functional component and resin has a printed coating weight of about 0.5 grams per square meters to about 1 gram per square meter, about 0.5 grams per square meters to about 2 grams per square meters, about 0.5 grams per square meters to about 3 grams per square meters, about 0.5 grams per square meters to about 4 grams per square meters, about 0.5 grams per square meters to about 5 grams per square meters, about 0.5 grams per square meters to about 6 grams per square meters, about 0.5 grams per square meters to about 7 grams per square meters, about 0.5 grams per square meters to about 8 grams per square meters, about 0.5 grams per square meters to about 9 grams per square meters, about 0.5 grams per square meters to about 10 grams per square meters, about 0.5 grams per square meters to about 15 grams per square meters, about 1 gram per square meter to about 2 grams per square meters, about 1 gram per square meter to about 3 grams per square meters, about 1 gram per square meter to about 4 grams per square meters, about 1 gram per square meter to about 5 grams per square meters, about 1 gram per square meter to about 6 grams per square meters, about 1 gram per square meter to about 7 grams per square meters, about 1 gram per square meter to about 8 grams per square meters, about 1 gram per square meter to about 9 grams per square meters, about 1 gram per square meter to about 10 grams per square meters, about 1 gram per square meter to about 15 grams per square meters, about 2 grams per square meters to about 3 grams per square meters, about 2 grams per square meters to about 4 grams per square meters, about 2 grams per square meters to about 5 grams per square meters, about 2 grams per square meters to about 6 grams per square meters, about 2 grams per square meters to about 7 grams per square meters, about 2 grams per square meters to about 8 grams per square meters, about 2 grams per square meters to about 9 grams per square meters, about 2 grams per square meters to about 10 grams per square meters, about 2 grams per square meters to about 15 grams per square meters, about 3 grams per square meters to about 4 grams per square meters, about 3 grams per square meters to about 5 grams per square meters, about 3 grams per square meters to about 6 grams per square meters, about 3 grams per square meters to about 7 grams per square meters, about 3 grams per square meters to about 8 grams per square meters, about 3 grams per square meters to about 9 grams per square meters, about 3 grams per square meters to about 10 grams per square meters, about 3 grams per square meters to about 15 grams per square meters, about 4 grams per square meters to about 5 grams per square meters, about 4 grams per square meters to about 6 grams per square meters, about 4 grams per square meters to about 7 grams per square meters, about 4 grams per square meters to about 8 grams per square meters, about 4 grams per square meters to about 9 grams per square meters, about 4 grams per square meters to about 10 grams per square meters, about 4 grams per square meters to about 15 grams per square meters, about 5 grams per square meters to about 6 grams per square meters, about 5 grams per square meters to about 7 grams per square meters, about 5 grams per square meters to about 8 grams per square meters, about 5 grams per square meters to about 9 grams per square meters, about 5 grams per square meters to about 10 grams per square meters, about 5 grams per square meters to about 15 grams per square meters, about 6 grams per square meters to about 7 grams per square meters, about 6 grams per square meters to about 8 grams per square meters, about 6 grams per square meters to about 9 grams per square meters, about 6 grams per square meters to about 10 grams per square meters, about 6 grams per square meters to about 15 grams per square meters, about 7 grams per square meters to about 8 grams per square meters, about 7 grams per square meters to about 9 grams per square meters, about 7 grams per square meters to about 10 grams per square meters, about 7 grams per square meters to about 15 grams per square meters, about 8 grams per square meters to about 9 grams per square meters, about 8 grams per square meters to about 10 grams per square meters, about 8 grams per square meters to about 15 grams per square meters, about 9 grams per square meters to about 10 grams per square meters, about 9 grams per square meters to about 15 grams per square meters, or about 10 grams per square meters to about 15 grams per square meters. In some embodiments, the functional component and resin has a printed coating weight of about 0.5 grams per square meters, about 1 gram per square meter, about 2 grams per square meters, about 3 grams per square meters, about 4 grams per square meters, about 5 grams per square meters, about 6 grams per square meters, about 7 grams per square meters, about 8 grams per square meters, about 9 grams per square meters, about 10 grams per square meters, or about 15 grams per square meters.

[0079] In some embodiments, a functionalized ink composition comprises a ferromagnetic material as described herein (e.g., a soft ferromagnetic material). As described herein, the use of soft ferromagnetic materials allows a functionalized ink composition to not retain magnetization in the absence of an applied magnetic field. In some embodiments, a functionalized ink composition spontaneously demagnetizes in the absence of a magnetic field. In some embodiments, a functionalized ink composition spontaneously magnetizes in the presence of a magnetic field. In some embodiments, a functionalized ink composition has a sufficient magnetic strength required for successful magnet induced separation of recyclates in an MRF separation facility. In some embodiments, a functionalized ink composition maintains this magnetic strength throughout the processes of ink manufacturing, storage, and/or printing. In some embodiments, a functionalized ink composition has a sufficient magnetic strength required for successful magnet- induced separation of ground label flakes from PET flakes in a PET reclaiming facility. In some embodiments, a functionalized ink composition maintains this magnetic strength throughout processes of ink manufacturing, storage, printing, and processing in a post-consumer recycling facility.

[0080] Magnetization of a functionalized ink composition (and therefore magnetization of a substrate having the functionalized ink composition) can be achieved by application of a magnetic field. A magnetic field can have a magnetic field strength of at least about 1,000 gauss (G). A magnetic field can have a magnetic field strength of at most about 1,000 gauss (G). In some embodiments, a magnetic field has a magnetic field strength ranging from at least about 1 G to about 15,000 G or more. In some embodiments, a magnetic field has a magnetic field strength ranging from at least about 1 G. In some embodiments, a magnetic field has a magnetic field strength ranging from at most about 15,000 G. In some embodiments, a magnetic field has a magnetic field strength ranging from about 1 G to about 250 G, about 1 G to about 500 G, about 1 G to about 750 G, about 1 G to about 1,000 G, about 1 G to about 2,500 G, about 1 G to about 5,000 G, about 1 G to about 7,500 G, about 1 G to about 10,000 G, about 1 G to about 15,000 G, about 250 G to about 500 G, about 250 G to about 750 G, about 250 G to about 1,000 G, about 250 G to about 2,500 G, about 250 G to about 5,000 G, about 250 G to about 7,500 G, about 250 G to about 10,000 G, about 250 G to about 15,000 G, about 500 G to about 750 G, about 500 G to about 1,000 G, about 500 G to about 2,500 G, about 500 G to about 5,000 G, about 500 G to about 7,500 G, about 500 G to about 10,000 G, about 500 G to about 15,000 G, about 750 G to about 1,000 G, about 750 G to about 2,500 G, about 750 G to about 5,000 G, about 750 G to about 7,500 G, about 750 G to about 10,000 G, about 750 G to about 15,000 G, about 1,000 G to about 2,500 G, about 1,000 Gto about 5,000 G, about 1,000 Gto about 7,500 G, about 1,000 Gto about 10,000 G, about 1,000 Gto about 15,000 G, about 2,500 Gto about 5,000 G, about 2,500 Gto about 7,500 G, about 2,500 G to about 10,000 G, about 2,500 G to about 15,000 G, about 5,000 G to about 7,500 G, about 5,000 G to about 10,000 G, about 5,000 G to about 15,000 G, about 7,500 G to about 10,000 G, about 7,500 G to about 15,000 G, or about 10,000 G to about 15,000 G. In some embodiments, a magnetic field has a magnetic field strength ranging from about 1 G, about 250 G, about 500 G, about 750 G, about 1,000 G, about 2,500 G, about 5,000 G, about 7,500 G, about 10,000 G, or about 15,000 G. In some embodiments, a magnetic field has a magnetic field strength of at least about 1,000 gauss (G). In some embodiments, a magnetic field has a magnetic field strength of at most about 1,000 gauss (G).

[0081] In some embodiments, a magnetic field is produced by a magnetic separation device. In some embodiments, a magnetic separation device is a hand-held magnet, a commercial drum-type separator, an over-band magnetic separator, a magnetic head pulley, or any combination thereof. In some embodiments, a magnetic separation device has at least about 50% separation recovery. In some embodiments, a magnetic separation device has at least about 80% separation recovery. [0082] In some embodiments, a functionalized ink composition comprises a marker that absorbs NIR light as described herein. As described herein, the use of the marker that absorbs NIR light allows the functionalized ink composition to absorb NIR light. Thus, where components of a functionalized ink composition, other than the marker, do not absorb NIR light, a presence of the marker in the functionalized ink composition bestows an ability to absorb NIR light onto the functionalized ink composition. In some embodiments, a functionalized ink composition absorbs NIR light in an amount sufficient for separation of recyclates using optical sorting equipment that emits NIR light in recycling facility. In some embodiments, a functionalized ink composition absorbs NIR light in an amount sufficient for separation of recycles using the optical sorting equipment that emits NIR light having a wavelength of from 900 nm - 2500 nm.

[0083] In some embodiments, a functionalized ink composition comprises an absorptive dye that absorbs NIR light. In some embodiments, a functionalized ink composition comprises an absorptive dye in an amount of less than about 5% (w/w), less than about 4% (w/w), less than about 3% (w/w), less than about 2% (w/w), less than about 1% (w/w), less than about 0.5% (w/w), less than about 0.1% (w/w), less than about 0.01% (w/w), less than about 0.001% (w/w), less than about 0.0001% (w/w), or less than about 0.00001% (w/w). In some embodiments, a functionalized ink composition comprises an absorptive dye in a range of from about 5% (w/w) to about 0.00001% (w/w), from about 5% (w/w) to about 0.0002% (w/w), from about 5% (w/w) to about 0.005% (w/w), from about 5% (w/w) to about 0.05% (w/w), from about 5% (w/w) to about 1% (w/w), from about 5% (w/w) to about 3% (w/w), from about 5% (w/w) to about 1% (w/w), from about 4% (w/w) to about 0.00001% (w/w), from about 4% (w/w) to about 0.0002% (w/w), from about 4% (w/w) to about 0.005% (w/w), from about 4% (w/w) to about 0.05% (w/w), from about 4% (w/w) to about 1% (w/w), from about 4% (w/w) to about 3% (w/w), from about 4% (w/w) to about 1% (w/w), from about 3% (w/w) to about 0.00001% (w/w), from about 3% (w/w) to about 0.0002% (w/w), from about 3% (w/w) to about 0.005% (w/w), from about 3% (w/w) to about 0.05% (w/w), from about 3% (w/w) to about 1% (w/w), from about 2% (w/w) to about 0.00001% (w/w), from about 2% (w/w) to about 0.0002% (w/w), from about 2% (w/w) to about 0.005% (w/w), from about 2% (w/w) to about 0.05% (w/w), from about 2% (w/w) to about 1% (w/w), from about 1% (w/w) to about 0.00001% (w/w), from about 1% (w/w) to about 0.0002% (w/w), from about 1% (w/w) to about 0.005% (w/w), from about 1% (w/w) to about 0.05% (w/w), from about 0.3% (w/w) to about 0.00001% (w/w), from about 0.3% (w/w) to about 0.0002% (w/w), from about 0.3% (w/w) to about 0.005% (w/w), from about 0.3% (w/w) to about 0.05% (w/w), from about 0.07% (w/w) to about 0.00001% (w/w), from about 0. 07% (w/w) to about 0.0002% (w/w), from about 0.07% (w/w) to about 0.005% (w/w), from about 0. 07% (w/w) to about 0.05% (w/w), from about 0.007% (w/w) to about 0.00001% (w/w), from about 0. 007% (w/w) to about 0.0002% (w/w), from about 0.007% (w/w) to about 0.005% (w/w), from about 0.0003% (w/w) to about 0.00001% (w/w), or from about 0.0003% (w/w) to about 0.0002% (w/w). In some embodiments, a functionalized ink composition comprises an absorptive dye in a range of from about 3% (w/w) to about 0.0001% (w/w).

[0084] In some embodiments, an absorptive dye comprises a tris-aminium dye, a tetrakis aminium dye, a squarylium dye, a cyanine dye, zinc copper phosphate pigment, palladate compounds, platinate compounds, or combinations thereof. In some embodiments, an absorptive dye comprises l-butyl-2-(2-[3-[2-(l-butyl-lH-benzo[c<i]indol-2-ylidene)-ethylidene]-2-chloro-cyclohex-l- enyl]-vinyl)-benzo[ci/]indolium tetrafluorob orate, l-butyl-2-(2-[3-[2-(l-butyl-lH- benzo[ci/]indol-2-ylidene)-ethylidene]-2-phenyl-cyclopent-l-enyl]-vinyl)-benzo[ci/]indolium tetrafluorob orate, l-butyl-2-(2-[3-[2-(l-butyl-lH-benzo[ci/]indol-2-ylidene)-ethylidene]-2- phenyl-cyclohex-l-enyl]-vinyl)-benzo[ci/]indolium tetrafluorob orate, 1 -butyl-2-(2-[3-[2-(l - butyl- lH-benzo[c<i]indol -2 -ylidene)-ethylidene]-2-diphenylamino-cy cl opent- l-enyl]vinyl)- benzo[cd]indolium tetrafluorob orate, l-Butyl-2- [2-[3-[(l-butyl-6-chlorobenz[cd]indol-2(lH)- ylidene)ethylidene]-2-chloro- 1 -cyclohexen- 1 -yl]ethenyl]-6-chlorobenz[cd]indolium tetrafluorob orate, l-butyl-2-[2-[3-[(l-butyl-6-chlorobenz[ci/]indol-2(lH)-ylidene)ethylidene]-2-chloro-5- methyl-1 -cyclohexen- l-yl]ethenyl]-6-chlorobenz[c<i]indolium tetrafluorob orate, 4-[2-[2-chloro- 3-[(2, 6-diphenyl-4H-thiopyran-4-ylidene)ethylidene]-l -cyclohexen- l-yl]ethenyl]-2, 6- diphenylthiopyrylium tetrafluorob orate, dimethyl{4-[l,7,7-tris(4-dimethylaminophenyl)-2,4,6- heptatrienylidene]-2,5-cyclohexadien-l-ylidene}ammonium perchlorate, 2-[2-[2-chloro-3-[[l,3- dihydro- 1 , 1 -dimethyl-3 -(4-sulfobutyl)-2H-benzo[e]indol-2-ylidene]-ethylidene]- 1 -cyclohexen- 1 - yl]-ethenyl]-l, l-dimethyl-3-(4-sulfobutyl)-lH-benzo[e]indolium hydroxide inner salt, sodium salt, heptamethine cyanine, heptamethine cyanine, 4-hydroxybenzoic acid appended heptamethine cyanine, amine functionalized heptamethine cyanine, hemicyanine rhodamine, cryptocyanine, diketopyrrolopyrole, diketopyrrolopyrole-croconaine, l,3-bis(5-(ethyl(2-(prop-2-yn-l- yloxy)ethyl)amino)thiophen-2-yl)-4,5- dioxocyclopent-2-en-l-ylium-2-olate, potassium l,l'-((2- oxido-4,5-dioxocyclopent-2-en-l-ylium-l,3-diyl)bis(thiophene-5,2-diyl))bis(piperidine-4- carboxylate), indocyanine green, cyanine 7, or combinations thereof. In some embodiments, an absorptive dye comprises phthalocyanines, naphthalocyanines, and combinations thereof.

[0085] In some embodiments, an absorptive dye comprises tris and tetrakis amines. In some embodiments, an absorptive dye comprises an aminium salt. In some embodiments an aminium salt comprises formula (I) as provided herein:

Formula (I) wherein R is a substituted or unsubstituted aryl, heteroaryl, C1-C8 alkyl, C1-C8 alkenyl, or C1-C8 alkynyl group, wherein the C1-C8 alkyl, C1-C8 alkenyl, or C1-C8 alkynyl group may be linear or branched, wherein X is a counterion selected from the group consisting of hexafluoroarsenate, hexafluoroantimonate, hexafluorophosphate, tetrakis(perfluorophenyl)borate, tetrafluoroborate, and combinations thereof.

[0086] In some embodiments, an absorptive dye comprises tris and tetrakis amines. In some embodiments, an absorptive dye comprises an aminium salt. In some embodiments an aminium salt comprises formula (II) as provided herein:

. Formula (II) wherein R is a substituted or unsubstituted aryl, heteroaryl, C1-C8 alkyl, C1-C8 alkenyl, or C1-C8 alkynyl group, wherein the C1-C8 alkyl, C1-C8 alkenyl, or C1-C8 alkynyl group may be linear or branched, wherein X is a counterion selected from the group consisting of hexafluoroarsenate, hexafluoroantimonate, hexafluorophosphate, tetrafluoroborate, and combinations thereof. In some embodiments, an absorptive dye comprises one or more tetrakis aminium salts. In some embodiments, one or more tetrakis aminium salts comprise absorption peak at 948 nm, 950 nm, 960 nm, 970 nm, 978 nm, 983 nm, 1070 nm, 1073 nm, 1098 nm, 1190 nm, 1280 nm, 1330 nm and 1610 nm.

[0087] In some embodiments, an absorptive dye comprises Epolightl 125™, Epolightl 178™, Luxottica™ IRA 980, Luxottica™ IRA 981, Luxottica™ IR 26, LICOR™ IRDYE 1320, LICOR™ IRDYE 1610, LICOR™ IRDYE 1611, or a combination thereof.

[0088] In some embodiments, a functionalized ink composition comprises a ferromagnetic material as described herein (e.g., soft ferromagnetic materials) and a marker that absorbs NIR light as described herein. As described herein, the resulting functionalized ink composition (a) spontaneously magnetizes and demagnetizes in the presence and absence of a magnetic field, respectively, and (b) absorbs NIR light.

[0089] In some embodiments, particle size distribution of functional components (i.e., the ferromagnetic material and/or the NIR marker) is maintained such that the D90 (DV(0.9)) size lies between 1-20 microns and the D50 (DV(0.5)) size lies between 1-10 microns. In some embodiments, the D90 (DV(0.9))size lies between 5-10 microns. In some embodiments, particle morphology of functional components is controlled to obtain spherical particles. A sphericity of an object is determined using SEM (scanning electron microscope) measurements of functional components. Electrons interact with atoms in a sample, producing various signals that contain information about surface topography and composition of the sample.

[0090] In some embodiments, all components of the functionalized ink composition can be transparent or translucent to visible light. For example, functional components of a functionalized ink composition (z.e., a ferromagnetic material and/or a NIR marker) can be transparent or translucent to visible light. By using functional components that are transparent or translucent as described above, change in haze values due to application of a functionalized ink composition onto a scaffold is less than 9% and preferably, less than 5%. In some embodiments, overall haze values due to application of a functionalized ink composition having transparent or translucent functional components onto a scaffold is less than 17% and preferably, less than 12%. The haze values, as used herein, are measured using ASTM D1003 - 13, which is a standard test method for haze and luminous transmittance of transparent or translucent plastics. In some embodiments, overall visible (400 - 800 nm) transmission values of a substrate having a functionalized ink composition comprising transparent or translucent functional components applied onto a scaffold is greater than 82% and preferably, greater than 90%. In some embodiments, a substrate having a functionalized ink composition comprising transparent or translucent functional components applied onto a scaffold has an overall NIR (near infrared, 750 - 1500 nm) transmission value greater than 87% and preferably, greater than 90%. In some embodiments, a substrate having a functionalized ink composition comprising transparent or translucent functional components applied onto a scaffold has an overall NIR (near infrared, 750 - 1500 nm) absorption value greater than 87% and preferably, greater than 90%. In some embodiments, a functionalized ink composition comprising transparent or translucent functional components, when applied onto a printed label, causes no change in the look of commercial art-work/graphics used on a printed label. In some embodiments, change in look of commercial art-work/graphics is represented as a subjective measurement and is commonly done by assigning a numeric scale from 1-10 with 1 being no impact to the look of the label.

[0091] In some embodiments, a functionalized ink composition is formulated for printing. In some embodiments, thickness/density of a functionalized ink composition printed on a scaffold (print thickness/density of the functionalized ink onto the scaffold) is less than 6 grams per square meter. In some embodiments, thickness/density of a functionalized ink composition printed on a scaffold (print thickness/density of the functionalized ink onto the scaffold) is between 0.5 and 3 gram per square meter. In some embodiments, a thickness/density of a functionalized ink composition printed on a scaffold (print thickness/density of the functionalized ink onto the scaffold) is between 0.5 and 2 grams per square meter.

[0092] In some embodiments, printing technique used to print a functionalized ink composition onto desired scaffolds is a significant determinant of functionalized ink composition. In some embodiments, a functionalized ink composition is printed using flexographic or gravure or intaglio or screen or pad or offset print press. In some embodiments, a functionalized ink composition is printed using flexographic printing. In some embodiments, a functionalized ink composition is printed using gravure printing. In some embodiments, a functionalized ink composition is printed using intaglio printing. In some embodiments, a functionalized ink composition is printed using screen printing. In some embodiments, a functionalized ink composition is printed using pad printing. In some embodiments, a functionalized ink composition is printed using offset print press. Inks used in such high speed commercial printers are characterized by viscosity ranges of >10 cP. In some embodiments, a functionalized ink composition has a viscosity that is about 10 centipoise (cP).

[0093] In some embodiments, a functionalized ink composition having a viscosity from about 100 cP to about 200 cP is used with flexographic printing methods. In some embodiments, a functionalized ink composition has a viscosity of about 100 cP to about 200 cP. In some embodiments, a functionalized ink composition has a viscosity of about 100 cP. In some embodiments, a functionalized ink composition has a viscosity of about 200 cP. In some embodiments, a functionalized ink composition has a viscosity of about 100 cP to about 110 cP, about 100 cP to about 120 cP, about 100 cP to about 130 cP, about 100 cP to about 140 cP, about 100 cP to about 150 cP, about 100 cP to about 160 cP, about 100 cP to about 170 cP, about 100 cP to about 180 cP, about 100 cP to about 190 cP, about 100 cP to about 200 cP, about 110 cP to about 120 cP, about 110 cP to about 130 cP, about 110 cP to about 140 cP, about 110 cP to about 150 cP, about 110 cP to about 160 cP, about 110 cP to about 170 cP, about 110 cP to about 180 cP, about 110 cP to about 190 cP, about 110 cP to about 200 cP, about 120 cP to about 130 cP, about 120 cP to about 140 cP, about 120 cP to about 150 cP, about 120 cP to about 160 cP, about 120 cP to about 170 cP, about 120 cP to about 180 cP, about 120 cP to about 190 cP, about 120 cP to about 200 cP, about 130 cP to about 140 cP, about 130 cP to about 150 cP, about 130 cP to about 160 cP, about 130 cP to about 170 cP, about 130 cP to about 180 cP, about 130 cP to about 190 cP, about 130 cP to about 200 cP, about 140 cP to about 150 cP, about 140 cP to about 160 cP, about 140 cP to about 170 cP, about 140 cP to about 180 cP, about 140 cP to about 190 cP, about 140 cP to about 200 cP, about 150 cP to about 160 cP, about 150 cP to about 170 cP, about 150 cP to about 180 cP, about 150 cP to about 190 cP, about 150 cP to about 200 cP, about 160 cP to about 170 cP, about 160 cP to about 180 cP, about 160 cP to about 190 cP, about 160 cP to about 200 cP, about 170 cP to about 180 cP, about 170 cP to about 190 cP, about 170 cP to about 200 cP, about 180 cP to about 190 cP, about 180 cP to about 200 cP, or about 190 cP to about 200 cP. In some embodiments, a functionalized ink composition has a viscosity of about 100 cP, about 110 cP, about 120 cP, about 130 cP, about 140 cP, about 150 cP, about 160 cP, about 170 cP, about 180 cP, about 190 cP, or about 200 cP.

[0094] In some embodiments, a functionalized ink composition having a viscosity from about 40 cP to about 80 cP is used with gravure printing methods. In some embodiments, a functionalized ink composition has a viscosity of about 40 cP to about 80 cP. In some embodiments, a functionalized ink composition has a viscosity of about 40 cP. In some embodiments, a functionalized ink composition has a viscosity of about 80 cP. In some embodiments, a functionalized ink composition has a viscosity of about 40 cP to about 45 cP, about 40 cP to about 50 cP, about 40 cP to about 55 cP, about 40 cP to about 60 cP, about 40 cP to about 65 cP, about

40 cP to about 70 cP, about 40 cP to about 75 cP, about 40 cP to about 80 cP, about 45 cP to about 50 cP, about 45 cP to about 55 cP, about 45 cP to about 60 cP, about 45 cP to about 65 cP, about 45 cP to about 70 cP, about 45 cP to about 75 cP, about 45 cP to about 80 cP, about 50 cP to about 55 cP, about 50 cP to about 60 cP, about 50 cP to about 65 cP, about 50 cP to about 70 cP, about 50 cP to about 75 cP, about 50 cP to about 80 cP, about 55 cP to about 60 cP, about 55 cP to about 65 cP, about 55 cP to about 70 cP, about 55 cP to about 75 cP, about 55 cP to about 80 cP, about 60 cP to about 65 cP, about 60 cP to about 70 cP, about 60 cP to about 75 cP, about 60 cP to about 80 cP, about 65 cP to about 70 cP, about 65 cP to about 75 cP, about 65 cP to about 80 cP, about 70 cP to about 75 cP, about 70 cP to about 80 cP, or about 75 cP to about 80 cP. In some embodiments, a functionalized ink composition has a viscosity of about 40 cP, about 45 cP, about 50 cP, about 55 cP, about 60 cP, about 65 cP, about 70 cP, about 75 cP, or about 80 cP.

[0095] In some embodiments, a functionalized ink composition having a viscosity from about 100 cP to about 150 cP is used with offset printing methods. In some embodiments, a functionalized ink composition having a viscosity from about 100 cP to about 150 cP is used with offset printing methods. In some embodiments, a functionalized ink composition having a viscosity from about 100 cP is used with offset printing methods. In some embodiments, a functionalized ink composition having a viscosity from about 150 cP is used with offset printing methods. In some embodiments, a functionalized ink composition having a viscosity from about 100 cP to about 105 cP, about 100 cP to about 110 cP, about 100 cP to about 115 cP, about 100 cP to about 120 cP, about 100 cP to about 125 cP, about 100 cP to about 130 cP, about 100 cP to about 135 cP, about 100 cP to about 140 cP, about 100 cP to about 145 cP, about 100 cP to about 150 cP, about 105 cP to about 110 cP, about 105 cP to about 115 cP, about 105 cP to about 120 cP, about 105 cP to about 125 cP, about 105 cP to about 130 cP, about 105 cP to about 135 cP, about 105 cP to about 140 cP, about 105 cP to about 145 cP, about 105 cP to about 150 cP, about 110 cP to about 115 cP, about 110 cP to about 120 cP, about 110 cP to about 125 cP, about 110 cP to about 130 cP, about 110 cP to about 135 cP, about 110 cP to about 140 cP, about 110 cP to about 145 cP, about 110 cP to about 150 cP, about 115 cP to about 120 cP, about 115 cP to about 125 cP, about 115 cP to about 130 cP, about 115 cP to about 135 cP, about 115 cP to about 140 cP, about 115 cP to about 145 cP, about 115 cP to about 150 cP, about 120 cP to about 125 cP, about 120 cP to about 130 cP, about 120 cP to about 135 cP, about 120 cP to about 140 cP, about 120 cP to about 145 cP, about 120 cP to about 150 cP, about 125 cP to about 130 cP, about 125 cP to about 135 cP, about 125 cP to about 140 cP, about 125 cP to about 145 cP, about 125 cP to about 150 cP, about 130 cP to about 135 cP, about 130 cP to about 140 cP, about 130 cP to about 145 cP, about 130 cP to about 150 cP, about 135 cP to about 140 cP, about 135 cP to about 145 cP, about 135 cP to about 150 cP, about 140 cP to about 145 cP, about 140 cP to about 150 cP, or about 145 cP to about 150 cP is used with offset printing methods. In some embodiments, a functionalized ink composition having a viscosity from about 100 cP, about 105 cP, about 110 cP, about 115 cP, about 120 cP, about 125 cP, about 130 cP, about 135 cP, about 140 cP, about 145 cP, or about 150 cP is used with offset printing methods.

[0096] In some embodiments, a functionalized ink composition has optimum rheology properties. In some embodiments, a functionalized ink composition has optimum stability during ink manufacturing, storage, and throughout the printing process. In some embodiments, a functionalized ink composition components do not separate out during manufacturing, storage, and throughout the printing process. In some embodiments, a functionalized ink composition does not degrade during manufacturing, storage, and throughout the printing process. In some embodiments, no sedimentation of functionalized ink composition components occurs during manufacturing, storage, and throughout the printing process. In some embodiments, stability of a functionalized ink composition is characterized by a lack of settling. In some embodiments, a functionalized ink composition remains stable for at least three weeks. In some embodiments, no settling of a functionalized ink composition occurs for at least three weeks.

[0097] In some embodiments, a functionalized ink composition shows good adhesion, low coefficient of friction (COF), scratch resistance, crinkle resistance, and anti-blocking properties. [0098] In some embodiments, a functionalized ink composition has optimum grinding efficiency. In some embodiments, a functionalized ink composition has a grinding efficiency of at most 5 micrometers or microns (pm). In some embodiments, grinding efficiency of a functionalized ink composition is measured using a grind gauge comprising a National Printing Inks Research Institute (NPIRI) scale. The NPIRI Scale is a scale designed for ink gauge by the National Printing Ink Research Institute. The scale begins with "0" at the infinite point and extends to " 10" at a depth of .001 inches. While it is an arbitrary scale, it is a logical one in that these divisions are equivalent of tenths of mils, or 2-1/2 microns. In some embodiments, a functionalized ink composition has a grinding efficiency of at least 5 pm, based on the NPIRI scale. In some embodiments, the grinding efficiency of the functionalized ink composition is measured by using a grind gauge or a precision grindometer. In some embodiments, the grind gauge or the precision grindometer is used to indicate the fineness of grind or the presence of coarse particles or agglomerates or the “grind of the ink” in a dispersion (e.g., in the functionalized ink composition). In some embodiments, the grind gauge comprises a rectangular channel of varying depth from about 0 pm to about 10 pm. In some embodiments, ink is placed at 10 pm depth end and scraped along the channel with a scraper. In some embodiments, the measured depth (in microns) along the channel where particle streaks are first observed is labeled as grind of the ink.

[0099] In some embodiments, grind of a functionalized ink composition is about 0.01 microns to about 5 microns. In some embodiments, grind of a functionalized ink composition is about 0.01 microns. In some embodiments, grind of a functionalized ink composition is about 5 microns. In some embodiments, grind of a functionalized ink composition is about 0.01 microns to about 0.05 microns, about 0.01 microns to about 1 micron, about 0.01 microns to about 1.5 microns, about 0.01 microns to about 2 microns, about 0.01 microns to about 2.5 microns, about 0.01 microns to about 3 microns, about 0.01 microns to about 3.5 microns, about 0.01 microns to about 4 microns, about 0.01 microns to about 4.5 microns, about 0.01 microns to about 5 microns, about 0.05 microns to about 1 micron, about 0.05 microns to about 1.5 microns, about 0.05 microns to about

2 microns, about 0.05 microns to about 2.5 microns, about 0.05 microns to about 3 microns, about 0.05 microns to about 3.5 microns, about 0.05 microns to about 4 microns, about 0.05 microns to about 4.5 microns, about 0.05 microns to about 5 microns, about 1 micron to about 1.5 microns, about 1 micron to about 2 microns, about 1 micron to about 2.5 microns, about 1 micron to about

3 microns, about 1 micron to about 3.5 microns, about 1 micron to about 4 microns, about 1 micron to about 4.5 microns, about 1 micron to about 5 microns, about 1.5 microns to about 2 microns, about 1.5 microns to about 2.5 microns, about 1.5 microns to about 3 microns, about 1.5 microns to about 3.5 microns, about 1.5 microns to about 4 microns, about 1.5 microns to about 4.5 microns, about 1.5 microns to about 5 microns, about 2 microns to about 2.5 microns, about 2 microns to about 3 microns, about 2 microns to about 3.5 microns, about 2 microns to about 4 microns, about 2 microns to about 4.5 microns, about 2 microns to about 5 microns, about 2.5 microns to about 3 microns, about 2.5 microns to about 3.5 microns, about 2.5 microns to about 4 microns, about 2.5 microns to about 4.5 microns, about 2.5 microns to about 5 microns, about 3 microns to about 3.5 microns, about 3 microns to about 4 microns, about 3 microns to about 4.5 microns, about 3 microns to about 5 microns, about 3.5 microns to about 4 microns, about 3.5 microns to about 4.5 microns, about 3.5 microns to about 5 microns, about 4 microns to about 4.5 microns, about 4 microns to about 5 microns, or about 4.5 microns to about 5 microns. In some embodiments, grind of a functionalized ink composition is about 0.01 microns, about 0.05 microns, about 1 micron, about 1.5 microns, about 2 microns, about 2.5 microns, about 3 microns, about 3.5 microns, about

4 microns, about 4.5 microns, or about 5 microns.

[0100] In some embodiments, a functionalized ink composition has optimum heat transfer performance. In some embodiments, optimum heat transfer performance is defined as a complete transfer of a functionalized ink composition onto a surface of a scaffold when using heat transfer methods. For example, in some embodiments, a functionalized ink composition is fully transferred onto a surface of a scaffold (e.g., a plastic object) using a hot plate.

[0101] In some embodiments, a functionalized ink composition comprises variation in color. In some embodiments, a functionalized ink composition comprises different colored pigments. In some embodiments, colored pigments are functional components (i.e., a ferromagnetic material as described herein or a marker that absorbs NIR light as described herein). In some embodiments, colored pigments are not functional components. In some embodiments, a functionalized ink composition comprises a colored pigment at a level ranging from about 5% to about 10% of the functionalized ink composition weight. In some embodiments, a functionalized ink composition comprises a colored pigment at a level ranging from about 1 % to about 60 % of a functionalized ink composition weight. In some embodiments, a functionalized ink composition comprises a colored pigment at a level ranging from at least about 1 % of a functionalized ink composition weight. In some embodiments, a functionalized ink composition comprises a colored pigment at a level ranging from at most about 60 % of a functionalized ink composition weight. In some embodiments, a functionalized ink composition comprises a colored pigment at a level ranging from about 1 % to about 2 %, about 1 % to about 3 %, about 1 % to about 4 %, about 1 % to about

5 %, about 1 % to about 10 %, about 1 % to about 15 %, about 1 % to about 20 %, about 1 % to about 30 %, about 1 % to about 40 %, about 1 % to about 50 %, about 1 % to about 60 %, about 2 % to about 3 %, about 2 % to about 4 %, about 2 % to about 5 %, about 2 % to about 10 %, about 2 % to about 15 %, about 2 % to about 20 %, about 2 % to about 30 %, about 2 % to about 40 %, about 2 % to about 50 %, about 2 % to about 60 %, about 3 % to about 4 %, about 3 % to about 5 %, about 3 % to about 10 %, about 3 % to about 15 %, about 3 % to about 20 %, about 3 % to about 30 %, about 3 % to about 40 %, about 3 % to about 50 %, about 3 % to about 60 %, about 4 % to about 5 %, about 4 % to about 10 %, about 4 % to about 15 %, about 4 % to about 20 %, about 4 % to about 30 %, about 4 % to about 40 %, about 4 % to about 50 %, about 4 % to about 60 %, about 5 % to about 10 %, about 5 % to about 15 %, about 5 % to about 20 %, about 5 % to about 30 %, about 5 % to about 40 %, about 5 % to about 50 %, about 5 % to about 60 %, about 10 % to about 15 %, about 10 % to about 20 %, about 10 % to about 30 %, about 10 % to about 40 %, about 10 % to about 50 %, about 10 % to about 60 %, about 15 % to about 20 %, about 15 % to about 30 %, about 15 % to about 40 %, about 15 % to about 50 %, about 15 % to about 60 %, about 20 % to about 30 %, about 20 % to about 40 %, about 20 % to about 50 %, about 20 % to about 60 %, about 30 % to about 40 %, about 30 % to about 50 %, about 30 % to about 60 %, about 40 % to about 50 %, about 40 % to about 60 %, or about 50 % to about 60 % of the functionalized ink composition weight. In some embodiments, the functionalized ink composition comprises a colored pigment at a level ranging from about 1 %, about 2 %, about 3 %, about 4 %, about 5 %, about 10 %, about 15 %, about 20 %, about 30 %, about 40 %, about 50 %, or about 60 % of a functionalized ink composition weight.

[0102] In some embodiments, a functionalized ink composition comprises a non-ferromagnetic pigment to provide color to the composition. In some embodiments, a functionalized ink composition comprises a non-ferromagnetic colored pigment to improve aesthetic appeal. In some embodiments, a functionalized ink composition comprises a colored pigment to provide markings to printed plastic. In some embodiments, a colored pigment is a yellow pigment, a cyan pigment, a magenta pigment, and a black pigment. Accordingly, in some embodiments, a functionalized ink composition comprises a yellow pigment, a cyan pigment, a magenta pigment, a black pigment, or a combination thereof. In some embodiments, a yellow pigment is Yellow 12, Yellow 13, Yellow 14, Yellow 17, Yellow 74, or a combination thereof. In some embodiments, a cyan pigment is Bluel5: l, Blue 15:3, Blue 15:4, or a combination thereof. In some embodiments, a magenta pigment is Red 57: 1, Red 48:2, Red 146, Red 122, or a combination thereof. In some embodiments, a black pigment is Black 7. In some embodiments, a functionalized ink composition shows no variation and/or loss of performance due to an addition or change in non-ferromagnetic pigments. [0103] In some embodiments, all components of a functionalized ink composition are indirect food additives. In some embodiments, indirect food additives are Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS) substances. In some embodiments, indirect food additives are FDA-approved food additives, as listed by in Title 21 of the Code of Federal Regulations. In some embodiments, all components of a functionalized ink composition may come into contact with food as part of packaging or processing equipment, but are not intended to be added directly to food. In some embodiments, all components of a functionalized ink composition are food contact substances as defined herein. In some embodiments, migration of all components of a functionalized ink composition is limited to about 10 milligrams (mg) of substances per squared decimeter (dm²) of a potential contact surface, as determined by: contacting the functionalized ink composition with a chemical food simulant and measuring weight of the chemical food simulant after the contacting.

Functionalized films

[0104] In some embodiments, a functionalized coating can be in the form of a functionalized film comprising a polymeric material having the one or more functional components described herein (z.e. a ferromagnetic material as described herein and/or a marker that absorbs NIR light as described herein) printed, applied, or otherwise incorporated into the polymeric material.

[0105] In some embodiments, a film is a multilayer film or a co-extruded film. In some embodiments, a multilayer film or said co-extruded film comprises at least 2 layers of films. In some embodiments, a multilayer film or said co-extruded film comprises from about at least 3 layers of films to about at most 12 layers of films. In some embodiments, a polymer film is a polyethylene (PE) film, a high density polyethylene (HDPE) film, a low density polyethylene (LDPE) film, a linear low density polyethylene (LLDPE) film, an oriented polypropylene (OPP) film, a biaxially oriented polypropylene (BOPP) film, an oriented polystyrene (OPS) film, an ethylene-vinyl alcohol (EVOH) film, a polyamide (Nylon or PA) film, an ionomer film, an ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) film, glycosylated polyethylene terephthalate (PETG), polypropylene (PP), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), or any combination thereof. In some embodiments, an ionomer film is an ethylene acrylic acid copolymer (EAA) or an ethylene (meth)acrylic acid copolymer (EMAA). [0106] In some embodiments, a ferromagnetic ink composition of a ferromagnetic material film is suitable for flexographic printing, gravure printing, intaglio printing, pad printing, screen printing, off-set printing, or any combination thereof. In some embodiments, a film is printed with said ferromagnetic ink composition by flexographic printing, gravure printing, intaglio printing, pad printing, screen printing, offset printing, or any combination thereof. In some embodiments, a ferromagnetic material film is configured to be affixed to a surface of an aluminum can, a singleuse bottle, a bottle cap, a single-use coffee cup, plastic cutlery, an eating utensil, a cutting utensil, a plastic tray, a plastic container, a food packaging container, or any combination thereof. In some embodiments, a functionalized film can comprise a polymeric film. For example, a functionalized film can comprise a polymer film such as a polyethylene (PE) film, a high density polyethylene (HDPE) film, a low density polyethylene (LDPE) film, a linear low density polyethylene (LLDPE) film, an oriented polypropylene (OPP) film, a biaxially oriented polypropylene (BOPP) film, an oriented polystyrenes (OPS) film, an ethylene-vinyl alcohol (EVOH) film, a polyamide film, an ionomer film, an ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) film, glycosylated polyethylene terephthalate (PETG), polypropylene (PP), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), or any combination thereof. In some embodiments, a polymer film is a polyethylene (PE) film, a high density polyethylene (HDPE) film, a low density polyethylene (LDPE) film, a linear low density polyethylene (LLDPE) film, an oriented polypropylene (OPP) film, a biaxially oriented polypropylene (BOPP) film, an oriented polystyrenes (OPS) film, an ethylene-vinyl alcohol (EVOH) film, a polyamide (Nylon or PA) film, an ionomer film, an ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) film, glycosylated polyethylene terephthalate (PETG), polypropylene (PP), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), or any combination thereof. In some embodiments, an ionomer film is an ethylene acrylic acid copolymer (EAA) or an ethylene (meth)acrylic acid copolymer (EMAA). In some embodiments, a functionalized film is a multilayer film or a co-extruded film. In some embodiments, a multilayer film or the co-extruded film comprises at least 2 layers of films. In some embodiments, a multilayer film or the coextruded film comprises from about at least 3 layers of films to about at most 12 layers of films. [0107] In some embodiments, a functionalized film has a thickness of about 15 microns (pm) to about 25 pm. In some embodiments, a functionalized film has a thickness of about 10 pm to about 25 pm. In some embodiments, a functionalized film has a thickness of about 10 pm. In some embodiments, a functionalized film has a thickness of about 25 pm. In some embodiments, a functionalized film has a thickness of about 10 pm to about 15 pm, about 10 pm to about 16 pm, about 10 pm to about 17 pm, about 10 pm to about 18 pm, about 10 pm to about 19 pm, about 10 pm to about 20 pm, about 10 pm to about 21 pm, about 10 pm to about 22 pm, about 10 pm to about 23 pm, about 10 pm to about 24 pm, about 10 pm to about 25 pm, about 15 pm to about 16 pm, about 15 pm to about 17 pm, about 15 pm to about 18 pm, about 15 pm to about 19 pm, about

15 pm to about 20 pm, about 15 pm to about 21 pm, about 15 pm to about 22 pm, about 15 pm to about 23 pm, about 15 pm to about 24 pm, about 15 pm to about 25 pm, about 16 pm to about 17 pm, about 16 pm to about 18 pm, about 16 pm to about 19 pm, about 16 pm to about 20 pm, about

16 pm to about 21 pm, about 16 pm to about 22 pm, about 16 pm to about 23 pm, about 16 pm to about 24 pm, about 16 pm to about 25 pm, about 17 pm to about 18 pm, about 17 pm to about 19 pm, about 17 pm to about 20 pm, about 17 pm to about 21 pm, about 17 pm to about 22 pm, about

17 pm to about 23 pm, about 17 pm to about 24 pm, about 17 pm to about 25 pm, about 18 pm to about 19 pm, about 18 pm to about 20 pm, about 18 pm to about 21 pm, about 18 pm to about 22 pm, about 18 pm to about 23 pm, about 18 pm to about 24 pm, about 18 pm to about 25 pm, about

19 pm to about 20 pm, about 19 pm to about 21 pm, about 19 pm to about 22 pm, about 19 pm to about 23 pm, about 19 pm to about 24 pm, about 19 pm to about 25 pm, about 20 pm to about 21 pm, about 20 pm to about 22 pm, about 20 pm to about 23 pm, about 20 pm to about 24 pm, about

20 pm to about 25 pm, about 21 pm to about 22 pm, about 21 pm to about 23 pm, about 21 pm to about 24 pm, about 21 pm to about 25 pm, about 22 pm to about 23 pm, about 22 pm to about 24 pm, about 22 pm to about 25 pm, about 23 pm to about 24 pm, about 23 pm to about 25 pm, or about 24 pm to about 25 pm. In some embodiments, the functionalized film has a thickness of about 10 pm, about 15 pm, about 16 pm, about 17 pm, about 18 pm, about 19 pm, about 20 pm, about 21 pm, about 22 pm, about 23 pm, about 24 pm, or about 25 pm.

[0108] In some embodiments, a functionalized film comprises a ferromagnetic material as described herein (e.g., a soft ferromagnetic material). As described herein, the use of soft ferromagnetic materials allows a functionalized film to not retain magnetization in the absence of an applied magnetic field. In some embodiments, a functionalized film spontaneously demagnetizes in the absence of a magnetic field. In some embodiments, a functionalized film spontaneously magnetizes in the presence of a magnetic field. In some embodiments, a functionalized film has a sufficient magnetic strength required for successful magnet induced separation of recyclates in an MRF separation facility. In some embodiments, a functionalized film has a sufficient magnetic strength required for successful magnet-induced separation of ground label flakes from PET flakes in a PET reclaiming facility.

[0109] The magnetization of a functionalized film (and therefore magnetization of a substrate having the functionalized film) can be achieved by the application of a magnetic field. The magnetic field can have a magnetic field strength of at least about 1,000 gauss (G). The magnetic field can have a magnetic field strength of at most about 1,000 gauss (G). In some embodiments, a magnetic field has a magnetic field strength ranging from at least about 1 G to about 15,000 G or more. In some embodiments, a magnetic field has a magnetic field strength ranging from at least about 1 G. In some embodiments, a magnetic field has a magnetic field strength ranging from at most about 15,000 G. In some embodiments, a magnetic field has a magnetic field strength ranging from about 1 G to about 250 G, about 1 G to about 500 G, about 1 G to about 750 G, about 1 G to about 1,000 G, about 1 G to about 2,500 G, about 1 G to about 5,000 G, about 1 G to about 7,500 G, about 1 G to about 10,000 G, about 1 G to about 15,000 G, about 250 G to about 500 G, about 250 G to about 750 G, about 250 G to about 1,000 G, about 250 G to about 2,500 G, about 250 G to about 5,000 G, about 250 G to about 7,500 G, about 250 G to about 10,000 G, about 250 G to about 15,000 G, about 500 G to about 750 G, about 500 G to about 1,000 G, about 500 G to about 2,500 G, about 500 Gto about 5,000 G, about 500 Gto about 7,500 G, about 500 Gto about 10,000 G, about 500 G to about 15,000 G, about 750 G to about 1,000 G, about 750 G to about 2,500 G, about 750 G to about 5,000 G, about 750 G to about 7,500 G, about 750 G to about 10,000 G, about 750 G to about 15,000 G, about 1,000 G to about 2,500 G, about 1,000 G to about 5,000 G, about 1,000 G to about 7,500 G, about 1,000 G to about 10,000 G, about 1,000 G to about 15,000 G, about 2,500 Gto about 5,000 G, about 2,500 Gto about 7,500 G, about 2,500 Gto about 10,000 G, about 2,500 G to about 15,000 G, about 5,000 G to about 7,500 G, about 5,000 G to about 10,000 G, about 5,000 G to about 15,000 G, about 7,500 G to about 10,000 G, about 7,500 G to about 15,000 G, or about 10,000 G to about 15,000 G. In some embodiments, the magnetic field has a magnetic field strength ranging from about 1 G, about 250 G, about 500 G, about 750 G, about 1,000 G, about 2,500 G, about 5,000 G, about 7,500 G, about 10,000 G, or about 15,000 G. In some embodiments, a magnetic field has a magnetic field strength of at least about 1,000 gauss (G). In some embodiments, a magnetic field has a magnetic field strength of at most about 1,000 gauss (G).

[0110] In some embodiments, a magnetic field is produced by a magnetic separation device. In some embodiments, a magnetic separation device is a hand-held magnet, a commercial drum-type separator, an over-band magnetic separator, a magnetic head pulley, or any combination thereof. In some embodiments, a magnetic separation device has at least about 50% separation recovery. In some embodiments, a magnetic separation device has at least about 80% separation recovery.

[OHl] In some embodiments, a functionalized film comprises a marker that absorbs NIR light as described herein. As described herein, the use of the marker that absorbs NIR light allows a functionalized film to absorb NIR light. Thus, where the components of a functionalized film, other than a marker, do not absorb NIR light, a presence of the marker in the functionalized film bestows an ability to absorb NIR light onto the functionalized film. In some embodiments, a functionalized film absorbs NIR light in an amount sufficient for separation of recyclates using optical sorting equipment that emits NIR light in recycling facility. In some embodiments, a functionalized film absorbs NIR light in an amount sufficient for separation of recycles using an optical sorting equipment that emits NIR light having a wavelength of from 900 nm - 2500 nm.

[0112] In some embodiments, a functionalized film comprises a ferromagnetic material as described herein (e.g., soft ferromagnetic materials) and a marker that absorbs NIR light as described herein. As described herein, the resulting functionalized film (a) spontaneously magnetizes and demagnetizes in the presence and absence of a magnetic field, respectively, and (b) absorbs NIR light.

[0113] In some embodiments, a substrate comprises a ferromagnetic material. In some embodiments, mass of a ferromagnetic material can range from about 0.05% to 2% of total mass of a substrate. In some embodiments, mass of a ferromagnetic material ranges from about 0.05 % to about 5 % of total mass of a substrate. In some embodiments, mass of a ferromagnetic material ranges from at least about 0.05 % of total mass of a substrate. In some embodiments, mass of ferromagnetic material ranges from at most about 5 % of total mass of a substrate. In some embodiments, mass of a ferromagnetic material ranges from about 0.05 % to about 0.06 %, about 0.05 % to about 0.07 %, about 0.05 % to about 0.08 %, about 0.05 % to about 0.09 %, about 0.05 % to about 1 %, about 0.05 % to about 1.5 %, about 0.05 % to about 2 %, about 0.05 % to about 2.5 %, about 0.05 % to about 3 %, about 0.05 % to about 5 %, about 0.06 % to about 0.07 %, about 0.06 % to about 0.08 %, about 0.06 % to about 0.09 %, about 0.06 % to about 1 %, about 0.06 % to about 1.5 %, about 0.06 % to about 2 %, about 0.06 % to about 2.5 %, about 0.06 % to about 3 %, about 0.06 % to about 5 %, about 0.07 % to about 0.08 %, about 0.07 % to about 0.09 %, about 0.07 % to about 1 %, about 0.07 % to about 1.5 %, about 0.07 % to about 2 %, about 0.07 % to about 2.5 %, about 0.07 % to about 3 %, about 0.07 % to about 5 %, about 0.08 % to about 0.09 %, about 0.08 % to about 1 %, about 0.08 % to about 1.5 %, about 0.08 % to about 2 %, about 0.08 % to about 2.5 %, about 0.08 % to about 3 %, about 0.08 % to about 5 %, about 0.09 % to about 1 %, about 0.09 % to about 1.5 %, about 0.09 % to about 2 %, about 0.09 % to about 2.5 %, about 0.09 % to about 3 %, about 0.09 % to about 5 %, about 1 % to about 1.5 %, about 1 % to about 2 %, about 1 % to about 2.5 %, about 1 % to about 3 %, about 1 % to about 5 %, about 1.5 % to about 2 %, about 1.5 % to about 2.5 %, about 1.5 % to about 3 %, about 1.5 % to about 5 %, about 2 % to about 2.5 %, about 2 % to about 3 %, about 2 % to about 5 %, about 2.5 % to about 3 %, about 2.5 % to about 5 %, or about 3 % to about 5 % of total mass of a substrate. In some embodiments, mass of a ferromagnetic material ranges from about 0.05 %, about 0.06 %, about 0.07 %, about 0.08 %, about 0.09 %, about 1 %, about 1.5 %, about 2 %, about 2.5 %, about 3 %, or about 5 % of total mass of a substrate.

[0114] In some embodiments, mass of a ferromagnetic material can range from about 0.05% to 2% of total mass of a film. In some embodiments, mass of a ferromagnetic material ranges from about 0.05 % to about 5 % of total mass of a film. In some embodiments, mass of a ferromagnetic material ranges from at least about 0.05 % of total mass of a film. In some embodiments, mass of a ferromagnetic material ranges from at most about 5 % of total mass of a film. In some embodiments, mass of a ferromagnetic material ranges from about 0.05 % to about 0.06 %, about 0.05 % to about 0.07 %, about 0.05 % to about 0.08 %, about 0.05 % to about 0.09 %, about 0.05 % to about 1 %, about 0.05 % to about 1.5 %, about 0.05 % to about 2 %, about 0.05 % to about 2.5 %, about 0.05 % to about 3 %, about 0.05 % to about 5 %, about 0.06 % to about 0.07 %, about 0.06 % to about 0.08 %, about 0.06 % to about 0.09 %, about 0.06 % to about 1 %, about 0.06 % to about 1.5 %, about 0.06 % to about 2 %, about 0.06 % to about 2.5 %, about 0.06 % to about 3 %, about 0.06 % to about 5 %, about 0.07 % to about 0.08 %, about 0.07 % to about 0.09 %, about 0.07 % to about 1 %, about 0.07 % to about 1.5 %, about 0.07 % to about 2 %, about 0.07 % to about 2.5 %, about 0.07 % to about 3 %, about 0.07 % to about 5 %, about 0.08 % to about 0.09 %, about 0.08 % to about 1 %, about 0.08 % to about 1.5 %, about 0.08 % to about 2 %, about 0.08 % to about 2.5 %, about 0.08 % to about 3 %, about 0.08 % to about 5 %, about 0.09 % to about 1 %, about 0.09 % to about 1.5 %, about 0.09 % to about 2 %, about 0.09 % to about 2.5 %, about 0.09 % to about 3 %, about 0.09 % to about 5 %, about 1 % to about 1.5 %, about 1 % to about 2 %, about 1 % to about 2.5 %, about 1 % to about 3 %, about 1 % to about 5 %, about 1.5 % to about 2 %, about 1.5 % to about 2.5 %, about 1.5 % to about 3 %, about 1.5 % to about 5 %, about 2 % to about 2.5 %, about 2 % to about 3 %, about 2 % to about 5 %, about 2.5 % to about 3 %, about 2.5 % to about 5 %, or about 3 % to about 5 % of total mass of a film. In some embodiments, mass of a ferromagnetic material ranges from about 0.05 %, about 0.06 %, about 0.07 %, about 0.08 %, about 0.09 %, about 1 %, about 1.5 %, about 2 %, about 2.5 %, about 3 %, or about 5 % of total mass of a film.

[0115] In some embodiments, a substrate comprises (a) one or more scaffolds; (b) a polymeric film (e.g., label) attached to the one or more scaffolds, wherein the polymeric film is transparent or translucent to near infrared (NIR) light; and (c) a functional coating that comprises a marker that absorbs NIR light printed onto the polymeric film. In some embodiments, the one or more scaffolds comprise: a single-use bottle, a bottle cap, a single-use coffee cup, plastic cutlery, an eating utensil, a cutting utensil, a plastic tray, a plastic container, a food packaging container, a shrink sleeve label, a pressure sensitive label, a roll fed label, a wrap label, a stretch label, a cut and stack label, a shrink bundling film, and any combination thereof. In some embodiments, the one or more scaffolds are made from a polymeric material selected from the group consisting of polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyester, polyethylene (PE), polycarbonate (PC), polystyrene (PS), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), post-consumer resin (PCR), styrene butadiene copolymer (SBC), high density polyethylene(HDPE), fluorine-treated HDPE, low density polyethylene (LDPE), linear low density polyethylene(LLDPE), polypropylene (PP), bioplastic, bisphenol-A (BPA), ethylene-vinyl alcohol (EVOH), polyamide (Nylon or PA), an ionomer, ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA), and any combination thereof. In some embodiments, the polymeric film is a polyethylene (PE) film, a high density polyethylene (HDPE) film, a low density polyethylene (LDPE) film, a linear low density polyethylene (LLDPE) film, an oriented polypropylene (OPP) film, a biaxially oriented polypropylene (BOPP) film, an oriented polystyrenes (OPS) film, an ethylene-vinyl alcohol (EVOH) film, a polyamide film, an ionomer film, an ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) film, glycosylated polyethylene terephthalate (PETG), polypropylene (PP), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), or any combination thereof.

Functionalized labels

[0116] In some embodiments, a functionalized coating can be printed or applied onto a label (i.e., the label is the scaffold onto which the functionalized coating is applied), thereby forming a functionalized label. In some embodiments, a functionalized label can be a functionalized shrink sleeve label, a functionalized pressure sensitive label, a functionalized roll fed label, a functionalized wrap label, a functionalized stretch label, a functionalized cut and stack label, a functionalized shrink bundling film, or any combination thereof. [0117] A functionalized shrink sleeve label can comprise less than about 5% difference in unrestrained shrinkage as compared to a shrink sleeve label that does not comprise a functional component (i.e., a ferromagnetic material or a marker that absorbs NIR light). In some embodiments, a functionalized shrink sleeve label comprises less than about 0.05 % to about 5 % difference in unrestrained shrinkage as compared to a shrink sleeve label that does not comprise a ferromagnetic material or a material that absorbs NIR light. In some embodiments, a functionalized shrink sleeve label comprises less than at least about 0.05 % difference in unrestrained shrinkage as compared to a shrink sleeve label that does not comprise a ferromagnetic material or a material that absorbs NIR light. In some embodiments, a functionalized shrink sleeve label comprises less than at most about 5 % difference in unrestrained shrinkage as compared to a shrink sleeve label that does not comprise a ferromagnetic material or a material that absorbs NIR light. In some embodiments, a functionalized shrink sleeve label comprises less than about 0.05 % to about 0.06 %, about 0.05 % to about 0.07 %, about 0.05 % to about 0.08 %, about 0.05 % to about 0.09 %, about 0.05 % to about 1 %, about 0.05 % to about 1.5 %, about 0.05 % to about 2 %, about 0.05 % to about 2.5 %, about 0.05 % to about 3 %, about 0.05 % to about 5 %, about 0.06 % to about 0.07 %, about 0.06 % to about 0.08 %, about 0.06 % to about 0.09 %, about 0.06 % to about 1 %, about 0.06 % to about 1.5 %, about 0.06 % to about 2 %, about 0.06 % to about 2.5 %, about 0.06 % to about 3 %, about 0.06 % to about 5 %, about 0.07 % to about 0.08 %, about 0.07 % to about 0.09 %, about 0.07 % to about 1 %, about 0.07 % to about 1.5 %, about 0.07 % to about 2 %, about 0.07 % to about 2.5 %, about 0.07 % to about 3 %, about 0.07 % to about 5 %, about 0.08 % to about 0.09 %, about 0.08 % to about 1 %, about 0.08 % to about 1.5 %, about 0.08 % to about 2 %, about 0.08 % to about 2.5 %, about 0.08 % to about 3 %, about 0.08 % to about 5 %, about 0.09 % to about 1 %, about 0.09 % to about 1.5 %, about 0.09 % to about 2 %, about 0.09 % to about 2.5 %, about 0.09 % to about 3 %, about 0.09 % to about 5 %, about 1 % to about 1.5 %, about 1 % to about 2 %, about 1 % to about 2.5 %, about 1 % to about 3 %, about 1 % to about 5 %, about 1.5 % to about 2 %, about 1.5 % to about 2.5 %, about 1.5 % to about 3 %, about 1.5 % to about 5 %, about 2 % to about 2.5 %, about 2 % to about 3 %, about 2 % to about 5 %, about 2.5 % to about 3 %, about 2.5 % to about 5 %, or about 3 % to about 5 % difference in unrestrained shrinkage as compared to a shrink sleeve label that does not comprise a ferromagnetic material. In some embodiments, a functionalized shrink sleeve label comprises less than about 0.05 %, about 0.06 %, about 0.07 %, about 0.08 %, about 0.09 %, about 1 %, about 1.5 %, about 2 %, about 2.5 %, about 3 %, or about 5 % difference in unrestrained shrinkage as compared to a shrink sleeve label that does not comprise a ferromagnetic material or a material that absorbs NIR light.

[0118] In some embodiments, a functionalized label comprises one or more functionalized coatings described herein. For example, a functionalized label can comprise a functionalized ink composition and one or more of: a film, a release varnish, and/or an adhesive layer. In such embodiments, the three different layers of the functionalized label are deposited on the surface of a secondary scaffold in the following order: a functionalized ink composition, a release varnish, and an adhesive layer. In some embodiments, a functionalized label comprises from about 1 layer of release varnish to about 10 layers of release varnish. In some embodiments, a functionalized label comprises from about 1 adhesive layer to about 10 adhesive layers.

[0119] In some embodiments, a release varnish is SB-HT from Sungbo Inks or S-125B from Sungjin Inks. In some embodiments, an adhesive layer is SB-HT PP-l-A from Sungbo Inks or S- 1042 from Sungjin Inks.

[0120] In some embodiments, a functionalized label can comprise a functionalized ink composition described herein and additional layers that constitute the film (e.g., release layer and adhesive property). In some embodiments, a functionalized ink composition does not contaminate the underlying release layer and adhesive property of overlaying adhesive layer. In some embodiments, a functionalized ink composition does not affect the release property of underlying release layer and adhesive property of overlaying adhesive layer.

[0121] In some embodiments, a functionalized label comprises at least one layer having a functionalized ink composition. In some embodiments, a functionalized label comprises at least two layers having functionalized ink compositions. In some embodiments, a functionalized label comprises at least three layers having functionalized ink compositions. In some embodiments, a functionalized label comprises at least four layers having functionalized ink compositions. In some embodiments, a functionalized label comprises about five layers having functionalized ink compositions. In some embodiments, a functionalized label comprises about six layers having functionalized ink compositions. In some embodiments, a functionalized label comprises about seven layers having functionalized ink compositions. In some embodiments, a functionalized label comprises about eight layers having functionalized ink compositions. In some embodiments, a functionalized label comprises about ten layers having functionalized ink compositions.

[0122] In some embodiments, a functionalized ink composition layers give aesthetic appeal to a functionalized label. In some embodiments, a functionalized ink composition layers provide functionality to a functionalized label (e.g., magnetic attraction and/or NIR light absorption). In some embodiments, a functionalized ink composition layers do not compromise the release property of underlying release varnish. In some embodiments, a functionalized ink composition layers do not compromise adhesive property of overlaying adhesive layer.

[0123] In some embodiments, a functionalized ink composition is transparent or translucent to visible light. Thus, printing a transparent or translucent functionalized ink composition onto a transparent or translucent label results in a transparent or translucent functionalized label (such as visible light with wavelength of about 400-800 nm).

[0124] In some embodiments, a release varnish facilitates release of functionalized label layers. In some embodiments, function of a release varnish is to help release of subsequent printed layers during transfer process. In some embodiments, a functionalized label is transferred to a scaffold upon application of heat and/or pressure. In some embodiments, a functionalized label is mechanically affixed on a surface of the scaffold. In some embodiments, function of a release varnish is to help release of subsequent printed layers during application of heat and pressure. In some embodiments, upon completion of the transfer process, a release varnish acts a protective layer to underlying layers.

[0125] In some embodiments, an adhesive layer adheres to a scaffold such as a plastic object and/or a metal object. In some embodiments, an adhesive layer activates upon application of heat and pressure during transfer process (i.e., during the transfer of the functionalized label to the surface of a scaffold). In some embodiments, an adhesive layer forms a strong bond with the surface of a scaffold. In some embodiments, after the transfer process (i.e., after the functionalized label has been transferred to the surface of a scaffold) an adhesive layer acts as an anchor layer between a surface of a scaffold and an overlaying functionalized ink composition layer plus a release varnish. [0126] In some embodiments, a functionalized label is a transparent or translucent label. In some embodiments, a transparent or translucent label is transparent or translucent to visible light and/or near infrared light (NIR).

[0127] In some embodiments, a functionalized label comprises a ferromagnetic material as described herein (e.g., a soft ferromagnetic material). As described herein, the use of soft ferromagnetic materials allows a functionalized label to not retain magnetization in the absence of an applied magnetic field. In some embodiments, a functionalized label spontaneously demagnetizes in the absence of a magnetic field. In some embodiments, a functionalized label spontaneously magnetizes in the presence of a magnetic field. In some embodiments, a functionalized label has a sufficient magnetic strength required for successful magnet induced separation of recyclates in an MRF separation facility. In some embodiments, a functionalized label maintains this magnetic strength throughout the processes of ink manufacturing, storage, and/or printing. In some embodiments, a functionalized label has a sufficient magnetic strength required for successful magnet-induced separation of ground label flakes from PET flakes in a PET reclaiming facility. In some embodiments, a functionalized label maintains this magnetic strength throughout the processes of ink manufacturing, storage, printing, and processing in a postconsumer recycling facility.

[0128] In some embodiments, magnetization of a functionalized label (and therefore magnetization of a substrate having the functionalized label) can be achieved by an application of a magnetic field. Magnetic field can have a magnetic field strength of at least about 1,000 gauss (G). Magnetic field can have a magnetic field strength of at least about 2,000 gauss (G). Magnetic field can have a magnetic field strength of at most about 1,000 gauss (G). In some embodiments, a magnetic field has a magnetic field strength ranging from at least about 1 G to about 15,000 G or more. In some embodiments, a magnetic field has a magnetic field strength ranging from at least about 1 G. In some embodiments, a magnetic field has a magnetic field strength ranging from at most about 15,000 G. In some embodiments, a magnetic field has a magnetic field strength ranging from about 1 G to about 250 G, about 1 G to about 500 G, about 1 G to about 750 G, about 1 G to about 1,000 G, about 1 G to about 2,500 G, about 1 G to about 5,000 G, about 1 G to about 7,500 G, about 1 G to about 10,000 G, about 1 G to about 15,000 G, about 250 G to about 500 G, about 250 G to about 750 G, about 250 G to about 1,000 G, about 250 G to about 2,500 G, about 250 G to about 5,000 G, about 250 G to about 7,500 G, about 250 G to about 10,000 G, about 250 G to about 15,000 G, about 500 G to about 750 G, about 500 G to about 1,000 G, about 500 G to about 2,500 G, about 500 Gto about 5,000 G, about 500 Gto about 7,500 G, about 500 Gto about 10,000 G, about 500 G to about 15,000 G, about 750 G to about 1,000 G, about 750 G to about 2,500 G, about 750 G to about 5,000 G, about 750 G to about 7,500 G, about 750 G to about 10,000 G, about 750 G to about 15,000 G, about 1,000 G to about 2,500 G, about 1,000 G to about 5,000 G, about 1,000 G to about 7,500 G, about 1,000 G to about 10,000 G, about 1,000 G to about 15,000 G, about 2,500 Gto about 5,000 G, about 2,500 Gto about 7,500 G, about 2,500 Gto about 10,000 G, about 2,500 G to about 15,000 G, about 5,000 G to about 7,500 G, about 5,000 G to about 10,000 G, about 5,000 G to about 15,000 G, about 7,500 G to about 10,000 G, about 7,500 G to about 15,000 G, or about 10,000 G to about 15,000 G. In some embodiments, the magnetic field has a magnetic field strength ranging from about 1 G, about 250 G, about 500 G, about 750 G, about 1,000 G, about 2,500 G, about 5,000 G, about 7,500 G, about 10,000 G, or about 15,000 G. In some embodiments, a magnetic field has a magnetic field strength of at least about 1,000 gauss (G). In some embodiments, a magnetic field has a magnetic field strength of at most about 1,000 gauss (G).

[0129] In some embodiments, a magnetic field is produced by a magnetic separation device. In some embodiments, a magnetic separation device is a hand-held magnet, a commercial drum-type separator, an over-band magnetic separator, a magnetic head pulley, or any combination thereof. In some embodiments, a magnetic separation device has at least about 50% separation recovery. In some embodiments, a magnetic separation device has at least about 80% separation recovery. [0130] In some embodiments, a functionalized label comprises a marker that absorbs NIR light as described herein. As described herein, use of a marker that absorbs NIR light allows a functionalized label to absorb NIR light. Thus, where components of a functionalized label, other than a marker, do not absorb NIR light, the presence of the marker in the functionalized label bestows an ability to absorb NIR light onto the functionalized label. In some embodiments, a functionalized label absorbs NIR light in an amount sufficient for separation of recyclates using optical sorting equipment that emits NIR light in recycling facility. In some embodiments, a functionalized label absorbs NIR light in an amount sufficient for separation of recycles using an optical sorting equipment that emits NIR light having a wavelength of from 900 nm - 2500 nm.

[0131] In some embodiments, a functionalized label comprises a ferromagnetic material as described herein (e.g., soft ferromagnetic materials) and a marker that absorbs NIR light as described herein. As described herein, the resulting functionalized label (a) spontaneously magnetizes and demagnetizes in the presence and absence of a magnetic field, respectively, and (b) absorbs NIR light.

Scaffold

[0132] In some embodiments, a functionalized coating can be attached, printed, or otherwise affixed onto a scaffold to produce a substrate. As used herein, a functionalized coating contains components that impart one or more properties onto a scaffold that are not otherwise present on the scaffold. For example, a scaffold can be a non-magnetic scaffold. As such, a functionalized coating containing a ferromagnetic material can be attached to a scaffold to make the resulting substrate magnetic. In another example, a scaffold can be transparent or translucent to NIR light. As such, a functionalized coating containing a marker that absorbs NIR light can be attached to a scaffold to make the resulting substrate absorb NIR light. In some cases, a scaffold can be a nonmagnetic scaffold that is transparent or translucent to NIR light. Accordingly, a functionalized coating containing a marker that absorbs NIR light and a ferromagnetic material can be attached to a scaffold to make the resulting substrate magnetic and capable of absorbing NIR light.

[0133] In some embodiments, a scaffold comprises a single-use bottle, a bottle cap, a single-use coffee cup, plastic cutlery, an eating utensil, a cutting utensil, a plastic tray, a plastic container, a food packaging container, or any combination thereof. In some embodiments, a scaffold comprises a label described herein, where a functionalized coating is printed or attached onto the label acting as a first substrate, thereby forming a functionalized label described herein that can be attached or affixed onto a second substrate.

[0134] In some embodiments, a scaffold comprises a polymeric material selected from the group consisting of polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyester, polyethylene (PE), polycarbonate (PC), polystyrene (PS), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), post-consumer resin (PCR), styrene butadiene copolymer (SBC), high density polyethylene(HDPE), fluorine-treated HDPE, low density polyethylene (LDPE), linear low density polyethylene(LLDPE), polypropylene (PP), bioplastic, bisphenol-A (BP A), ethylene-vinyl alcohol (EVOH), polyamide (Nylon or PA), an ionomer, ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA), and any combination thereof.

[0135] In some embodiments, a scaffold, as described in the present disclosure, can be a plastic object. In some embodiments, a plastic object, as described in the present disclosure, can be in a variety of form-factors. Examples of objects include but are not limited to single-use bottles, bottle caps, single-use coffee cups, plastic cutlery, plastic trays, clamshells, general food-service packaging including sandwich bags, grocery bags, and shrink sleeves. A shown in FIG. 1, a plastic object can be in the form a plastic bottle 20 with cap 22, a plastic cup 26 with lid 24, a plastic sachet 28, a plastic straw 30, or a plastic spoon 32. In some embodiments, each of these objects (i.e., 20, 22, 24, 26, 28, 30, and 32) contains a functionalized coating 10. In some embodiments, the functionalized coating 10 is an area imprinted with an ink or affixed with a pre-printed label containing functionalized ink, which enables separation of desired object(s) via application of a magnetic field and/or absorption of NIR light.

[0136] In some embodiments, a scaffold comprises a label which is to be affixed to a plastic container. A plastic container on which a label is to be affixed can be in a variety of form-factors. Examples of containers include but are not limited to single-use bottles, single-use coffee cups, clamshells, general food-service packaging including sandwich bags, grocery bags. As shown in FIG. 3, a scaffold can be in the form a plastic bottle 20 with a cap 22, a plastic cup 26 with a lid 24, or a plastic sachet 28. The plastic bottle 20 with the cap 22, the plastic cup 26 with the lid 24, or the plastic sachet 28 may each comprise a functionalized coating 10 (e.g., a functionalized label). In some embodiments, the functionalized coating 10 is an area printed with a functionalized ink composition which enables the separation of the desired object via application of a magnetic field and/or absorption of NIR light. In some embodiments, a scaffold is a single-usable PET bottle having a mass that is less than about 20 grams.

Methods

[0137] Another aspect of the present disclosure provides for a method of fabricating a substrate, comprising one or more of: providing a coating, where the coating is transparent or translucent to near infrared (NIR) light; printing a marker that absorbs NIR light onto the coating, thereby producing a functionalized coating; and/or transferring the functionalized coating onto a surface of a scaffold, wherein the scaffold is transparent or translucent to NIR light; thereby making the substrate suitable for sorting using NIR light and/or the magnetic field. In some embodiments, a functionalized coating is a food contact substance. In some embodiments, a functionalized coating comprises a migration of less than about 10 milligrams (mg) per squared decimeter (dm²) of contact surface. In some embodiments, migration of a functionalized coating is determined by contacting the functionalized coating with a chemical food simulant and measuring weight of the chemical food simulant after the contacting.

[0138] Another aspect of the present disclosure provides for a method of fabricating a substrate, comprising one or more of: providing a coating, where the coating is non-magnetic and/or is transparent or translucent to NIR light; printing a marker that absorbs NIR light onto the coating; printing a ferromagnetic material onto the coating, thereby producing a functionalized coating; and/or transferring the functionalized coating onto a surface of a scaffold, wherein the scaffold is non-magnetic and/or is transparent or translucent to NIR light; thereby making the substrate suitable for sorting using NIR light and/or the magnetic field.

[0139] In some embodiments, a method comprises flexographic printing, gravure printing, intaglio printing, pad printing, screen printing, offset printing, or any combination thereof. In some embodiments, a scaffold is a single-use bottle, a bottle cap, a single-use coffee cup, a plastic cutlery, an eating utensil, a cutting utensil, a plastic tray, a plastic container, a food packaging container, or any combination thereof.

[0140] Another aspect of the present disclosure provides for a method of sorting a mixed stream of objects, comprising one or more of: providing a mixed stream of objects that comprises a substrate, wherein the substrate comprises: (a) a scaffold as described herein that is non-magnetic and/or is transparent or translucent to NIR light, and (b) a functionalized coating that comprises: a marker that absorbs NIR light and/or a ferromagnetic material; sorting the mixed stream of objects using optical sorting equipment that emits NIR light, wherein a substrate having the marker that absorbs NIR light is separated from at least one object in the mixed stream of objects based on the marker that absorbs NIR light; separating the substrate from resulting stream of objects by contacting the mixed stream with a magnetic field having a magnetic flux density ranging from about 3,000 gauss (G) to about 12,000 G, wherein a substrate having a ferromagnetic material is separated from the resulting stream based on attraction of the ferromagnetic material of the functionalized coating to said magnetic field.

[0141] In some embodiments, the mixed stream of objects is a mixed waste stream containing a substrate having a scaffold described herein and a functionalized coating as described herein. Thus, the method can be used to separate the substrate from the mixed stream on the basis of magnetism and/or absorption of NIR light.

[0142] In some embodiments, a method comprises separation of a substrate comprising a functionalized coating deposited thereupon from a mixed waste stream. In some embodiments, a mixed waste stream is provided in a commercial single stream recycling facility (i.e., a materials recovery facility (MRF)). In some embodiments, a single stream MRF receives mixed waste comprising glass, plastic, metals (both magnetic and non-magnetic, paramagnetic, or diamagnetic), cardboard, and paper. In some embodiments, the at least one object not comprising a ferromagnetic or magnetic component is glass, plastic, metals (both magnetic and non-magnetic, paramagnetic, or diamagnetic), cardboard, and paper. In some embodiments, MRFs use various techniques like size exclusion, density based separation, air/vacuum, and magnetic separation to sort and segregate the mixed waste into separate pure streams which are then sold for recycling. In some embodiments, small plastic items are not sorted cleanly and end up contaminating various waste streams like glass, paper, and cardboard depending on the weight and form factor of the plastic product. The present disclosure addresses this problem by enabling easy sorting of substrates by imprinting or attaching a functionalized coating as described herein.

[0143] Another aspect of the present disclosure provides for methods of sorting at least one substrate from a mixed stream of objects using near infrared (NIR) light, wherein the at least one substrate comprises: one or more scaffolds that are transparent or translucent to NIR light; and a functionalized coating printed on the one or more scaffolds, wherein the functionalized coating comprises: a marker that absorbs NIR light, wherein the functionalized coating is a food contact substance having a migration of less than about 10 milligrams (mg) per squared decimeter (dm²) of contact surface, as determined by: contacting the functionalized coating with a chemical food simulant and measuring the weight of the chemical food simulant after the contacting. In some embodiments, the methods comprise: providing the mixed stream of objects that comprises the at least one substrate; and sorting the at least one substrate from the mixed stream of objects using optical sorting equipment that emits NIR light, wherein the at least one substrate is separated from the mixed stream of objects based on presence of the marker. Presently, MRFs, which rely upon use of optical sorting equipment, have high rate of mis-sorting containers during recycling. For example, containers with full body shrink sleeve labels lead to mis-sorting of containers during recycling as colored polymer container even if the container is actually a clear polymer container. This is because graphics printed on labels and in some cases the labels themselves interfere with the optical sensors ability to detect the containers underneath the shrink sleeve. The present disclosure addresses this problem by enabling positive sortation of objects by printing or attaching a functionalized coating that absorbs NIR light on the shrink sleeves. The present disclosure also allows for the quantification of specific objects, for example, bottles from a particular brand as they are correctly sorted by the optical sorter.

[0144] In some embodiments, methods of sorting at least one substrate from a mixed stream of objects using optical sorting equipment that emits NIR light comprise: measuring one or more configurations of a marker, wherein the one or more configurations are selected from an absorption peak, an absorption spectrum, a transmittance peak, a transmittance spectrum, or combinations thereof; identifying the at least one substrate with configurations of interest, and sorting the at least one substrate comprising the configurations of interest from the mixed stream of objects. In some embodiments, methods of sorting at least one substrate from a mixed stream of objects using optical sorting equipment that emits NIR light further comprise comparing one or more configurations of markers of the at least one substrate against a library of reference configurations, wherein each reference configuration is uniquely associated with the at least one substrate.

[0145] In some embodiments, methods of sorting at least one substrate from a mixed stream of objects using optical sorting equipment that emits NIR light constructing further comprise reconstructing a design of a functionalized coating of the at least one substrate based on one or more configurations of a marker of the functionalized coating; comparing the design of the functionalized coating with a library of reference designs, wherein each reference design is uniquely associated with the at least one substrate; and sorting the at least one substrate from the mixed stream of objects using optical sorting equipment that emits NIR light based on the design of interest of the functionalized coating present on the at least one substrate. Presently, MRFs, which rely upon use of optical sorting equipment, cannot sort containers having label or ink that interferes with NIR detection. For example, an HDPE container containing a PETG label can more often be missorted by the optical sorting equipment due to interference of PETC with NIR detection. The present disclosure addresses this problem by creating a new detection signal (using NIR markers) that the optical sorter can associate with a particular object creating an independent and additional means for sorting correctly using the same equipment.

[0146] Another aspect of the present disclosure provides for a method of making a ferromagnetic scaffold. In some embodiments, a method of making a ferromagnetic scaffold comprises: incorporating a ferromagnetic material into a resin using high-sheer extrusion to get a masterbatch that comprises the ferromagnetic material in a range of from 20% (w/w) to 50% (w/w) of the resin; diluting the masterbatch with a polymer to achieve a target concentration in a range of from 2% (w/w) to 20% (w/w) of the ferromagnetic material in the resin; and making the ferromagnetic scaffold using the resin. In some embodiments, the scaffold is a polymer film. In some embodiments, the scaffold is selected from: a single-use bottle, a bottle cap, a single-use coffee cup, plastic cutlery, an eating utensil, a cutting utensil, a plastic tray, a plastic container, a food packaging container, a shrink sleeve label, a pressure sensitive label, a roll fed label, a wrap label, a stretch label, a cut and stack label, a shrink bundling film, and any combination thereof.

[0147] Another aspect of the present disclosure provides for a method of sorting a plurality of substrates from a mixed stream of objects using near infrared (NIR) light. In some embodiments, the plurality of substrate comprises at least one, at least two, at least three, at least four, at least five, at least ten, at least twenty, at least fifty, at least hundred, at least three hundred, at least five hundred, at least thousand, or at least five thousand substrates. In some embodiments, the plurality of substrates comprises at least five substrates. In some embodiments, the plurality of substrates comprises a first substrate and a second substrate. In some embodiments, the first substrate comprises one or more first scaffolds that are transparent or translucent to NIR light, and a first functionalized coating printed on the one or more first scaffolds. In some embodiments, the first functionalized coating comprises: a first marker that absorbs NIR light. In some embodiments, the second substrate comprises one or more second scaffolds that are transparent or translucent to NIR light, and a second functionalized coating printed on the one or more second scaffolds. In some embodiments, the second functionalized coating comprises: a second marker that absorbs NIR light. In some embodiments, the first and second functionalized coatings are food contact substances. In some embodiments, the first and second functionalized coatings independently have migration rate of less than about 10 milligrams (mg) per squared decimeter (dm²) of contact surface. In some embodiments, the migration rate is determined by contacting the first or second functionalized coating with a chemical food simulant and measuring the weight of the chemical food simulant after the contacting. In some embodiments, the method comprises: providing the mixed stream of objects that comprises the first and second substrates; and sorting the first and second substrates from the mixed stream of objects using optical sorting equipment that emits NIR light. In some embodiments, the optical sorting equipment emits NIR light that includes both the first range of wavelengths and the second range of wavelengths. In some embodiments, the first functionalized coating absorbs a first range of wavelength. In some embodiments, the second functionalized coating absorbs a second range of wavelength. In some embodiments, the first and/or second substrates are separated from the mixed stream of objects based on presence of the first and/or second markers. In some embodiments, the sorting comprises separating the first substrate in one group and the second substrate in another group. In some embodiments, the sorting comprises separating the substrate from the mixed stream of objects and the second substrate. In some embodiments, the first substrate is sorted into a different stream of objects than the stream of objects that the one or more first scaffolds are sorted into using the optical sorting equipment in the absence of first functionalized coating. In some embodiments, the first substrate is sorted into the same stream of objects that the one or more second scaffolds are sorted into in the absence of second functionalized coating. In some embodiments, the method comprises sorting the second substrate from the mixed stream of objects and the first substrate. In some embodiments, the second substrate is sorted into the same stream of objects that the one or more second scaffolds are sorted in the absence of second functionalized coating. In some embodiments, the second substrate is sorted into a different stream of objects than the stream of objects that the one or more second scaffolds are sorted into using the optical sorting equipment in the absence of second functionalized coating. In some embodiments, the second substrate is sorted into a different stream of objects than the stream of objects that the one or more second scaffolds are sorted into using the optical sorting equipment in the absence of second functionalized coating. In some embodiments, the method further comprises programing the optical sorter equipment to sort the first substrate from the mixed stream of objects and the second substrate by emitting light of the first range of wavelengths. In some embodiments, the method further comprises programing the optical sorter equipment to sort the second substrate from the mixed stream of objects and the first substrate by emitting light of the second range of wavelengths. In some embodiments, each of the first marker and the second marker independently comprises one or more configurations. In some embodiments, the one or more configurations are selected from an absorption peak, an absorption spectrum, a transmittance peak, a transmittance spectrum, or a combination thereof. In some embodiments, the method further comprises comparing the configuration of the first and second markers individually with a library of reference configurations, wherein each reference configuration is uniquely associated with a substrate of interest; and identifying the first substrates with a first configuration of interest and the second substrate with a second configuration of interest. In some embodiments, the method further comprises reconstructing a first and second designs of the first and second functionalized coatings, respectively, based on the one or more configurations; comparing the first and second designs with a library of reference designs comprising a first reference design and a second reference design, wherein a first reference design is associated with a first substrate and a second reference design is associated with a second substrate; and identifying the first and second substrates based on presence of the first and second designs in the mixed stream of objects.

[0148] Another aspect of the present disclosure provides for a method of quantifying a total number of substrates sorted by an MRF, wherein the methods comprise sorting a plurality of substrates from a mixed stream of objects using near infrared (NIR) light as described herein; and quantifying total number of sorted substrates. In some embodiments, the methods further comprise quantifying number of substrates from the total number of sorted substrates that were manufactured by a manufacturer of interest.

[0149] In some embodiments, method comprise contacting a stream of objects with a magnetic field. Where a substrate has a functionalized coating that comprises a ferromagnetic material described herein, this step can be used to separate a substrate from a mixed stream using the magnetic field. In some embodiments, a magnetic field is produced by a commercial drum-type separator, an over-band magnetic separator, a magnetic head pulley or a combination thereof. As described above, the present disclosure provides solution for easy sorting of substrates based on presence of a unique marker that is present on a container. Use of a ferromagnetic material in a functionalized coating further allows MRFs to sort shrink sleeves/labels from containers, wherein the shrink sleeves/labels comprise the ferromagnetic material. [0150] Another aspect of the present disclosure provides for a method of making a substrate suitable for sorting using near infrared (NIR) light or a magnetic field, the method comprising one or more of: (a) providing a non-magnetic coating that is transparent or translucent to NIR light; (b) incorporating a marker that absorbs NIR light into the non-magnetic coating; (c) incorporating a ferromagnetic material into the non-magnetic coating, thereby producing a functionalized coating, wherein the functionalized coating is a food contact substance having a migration of less than about 10 milligrams (mg) per squared decimeter (dm²) of contact surface, as determined by: contacting the functionalized coating with a chemical food simulant and measuring the weight of the chemical food simulant after the contacting; and (d) transferring the functionalized coating onto a surface of one or more non-magnetic scaffolds, wherein the one or more non-magnetic scaffolds are transparent or translucent to NIR light; thereby making the substrate that is suitable for sorting using NIR light or the magnetic field.

[0151] In some embodiments, a magnetic field has a magnetic flux density ranging from about 3000 gauss (G) to about 12,000 G. In some embodiments, a magnetic field does not have a magnetic flux density ranging from about 1 gauss to about 2999 gauss. In some embodiments, a magnetic field has a magnetic flux density of 7000 gauss. In some embodiments, a magnetic field has a magnetic flux density ranging from about 3,000 gauss to about 12,000 gauss. In some embodiments, a magnetic field has a magnetic flux density ranging from about 3,000 gauss. In some embodiments, a magnetic field has a magnetic flux density ranging from about 12,000 gauss. In some embodiments, a magnetic field has a magnetic flux density ranging from about 3,000 gauss to about 4,000 gauss, about 3,000 gauss to about 5,000 gauss, about 3,000 gauss to about 6,000 gauss, about 3,000 gauss to about 7,000 gauss, about 3,000 gauss to about 8,000 gauss, about 3,000 gauss to about 9,000 gauss, about 3,000 gauss to about 10,000 gauss, about 3,000 gauss to about 11,000 gauss, about 3,000 gauss to about 12,000 gauss, about 4,000 gauss to about 5,000 gauss, about 4,000 gauss to about 6,000 gauss, about 4,000 gauss to about 7,000 gauss, about 4,000 gauss to about 8,000 gauss, about 4,000 gauss to about 9,000 gauss, about 4,000 gauss to about 10,000 gauss, about 4,000 gauss to about 11,000 gauss, about 4,000 gauss to about 12,000 gauss, about 5,000 gauss to about 6,000 gauss, about 5,000 gauss to about 7,000 gauss, about 5,000 gauss to about 8,000 gauss, about 5,000 gauss to about 9,000 gauss, about 5,000 gauss to about 10,000 gauss, about 5,000 gauss to about 11,000 gauss, about 5,000 gauss to about 12,000 gauss, about 6,000 gauss to about 7,000 gauss, about 6,000 gauss to about 8,000 gauss, about 6,000 gauss to about 9,000 gauss, about 6,000 gauss to about 10,000 gauss, about 6,000 gauss to about 11,000 gauss, about 6,000 gauss to about 12,000 gauss, about 7,000 gauss to about 8,000 gauss, about 7,000 gauss to about 9,000 gauss, about 7,000 gauss to about 10,000 gauss, about 7,000 gauss to about 11,000 gauss, about 7,000 gauss to about 12,000 gauss, about 8,000 gauss to about 9,000 gauss, about 8,000 gauss to about 10,000 gauss, about 8,000 gauss to about 11,000 gauss, about 8,000 gauss to about 12,000 gauss, about 9,000 gauss to about 10,000 gauss, about 9,000 gauss to about 11,000 gauss, about 9,000 gauss to about 12,000 gauss, about 10,000 gauss to about 11,000 gauss, about 10,000 gauss to about 12,000 gauss, or about 11,000 gauss to about 12,000 gauss. In some embodiments, a magnetic field has a magnetic flux density ranging from about 3,000 gauss, about 4,000 gauss, about 5,000 gauss, about 6,000 gauss, about 7,000 gauss, about 8,000 gauss, about 9,000 gauss, about 10,000 gauss, about 11,000 gauss, or about 12,000 gauss.

[0152] Separation of a substrate from a mixed stream of objects based on attraction of a ferromagnetic material deposited thereupon can be performed using a commercial magnetic separator like an overband magnet, a drum separator, or a magnetic head pulley, which attracts a nonsubstrate comprising a ferromagnetic material and thus, segregates the substrate from the at least one object not comprising a ferromagnetic or magnetic component. In some embodiments, magnetizability of a ferromagnetic material is tuned to ensure that magnetic separators with weak magnetic fields (i.e., magnetic fields weaker than 3000 gauss, which are used for segregation of metals in commercial MRFs) do not affect the substrate comprising the ferromagnetic material deposited thereupon. In some embodiments, a substrate comprising a ferromagnetic material is not sorted with a metal waste stream in commercial MRFs.

[0153] In some embodiments, a method comprises sorting a mixed stream of objects using optical sorting equipment that emits NIR light. Where a substrate has a functionalized coating that comprises a marker that absorbs NIR light, this step can be used to separate the substrate from the mixed stream based on absorption of the NIR light by the NIR marker. In some embodiments, an optical sorting equipment emits NIR light having a wavelength of from 900 nm - 2500 nm.

Systems

[0154] Another aspect of the present disclosure provides a system for sorting a substrate from a mixed stream of objects. In some embodiments, the substrate comprises a functionalized film or a functionalized coating. In some embodiments, the functionalized film or the functionalized coating comprises a marker that absorbs NIR light. In some embodiments, the systems comprise (a) an optical sorter that emits NIR light, and (b) a computing device operatively coupled to the optical sorter. In some embodiments, the computing device comprises: a processor and a non-transitory computer readable storage medium storing instructions that, when execute by the processor, causes the optical sorter to: (i) emit NIR light at a range of wavelength that is absorbed by the marker, and (ii) sort the substrate from the mixed stream of objects based on absorption of the NIR light from the optical sorting device. Software

[0155] Another aspect of the present disclosure provides a software for performing any of the sorting methods described herein. In some embodiments, a software for performing sorting methods, the methods comprise: detecting presence of a marker of interest, wherein the marker absorbs near infrared (NIR) light; and sorting the at least one substrate based on presence of a marker of interest. In some embodiments, detecting presence of a marker comprises: emitting NIR light; measuring an absorption peak value, an absorption spectrum, a transmittance peak value, a transmittance spectrum, or combinations thereof; and identifying the at least one substrate with a marker of interest. In some embodiments, the methods further comprise comparing the absorption peak value, the absorption spectrum, the transmittance peak value, the transmittance spectrum, or combinations thereof against a library of reference absorption peak values, absorption spectrums, transmittance peak values, transmittance spectrums, or combinations thereof. In some embodiments, each reference peak absorption value, absorption spectrums, transmittance peak values, transmittance spectrums, or combinations thereof is uniquely associated to a particular substrate.

[0156] Another aspect of the present disclosure provides a software for performing methods of sorting of at least one substrate from a mixed stream of objects, the methods comprise: detecting presence of a marker on the at least one substrate, wherein the marker absorbs near infrared (NIR) light; reconstructing the design of the functionalized coating printed on the at least one substrate, wherein the functionalized coating comprises the marker; comparing the design of the functionalized coating against a library of reference designs, wherein each reference design is uniquely associated to a particular substrate; and identifying the at least one substrate with the design of interest. In some embodiments, the methods further comprise comparing the absorption peak value, the absorption spectrum, the transmittance peak value, the transmittance spectrum, or combinations thereof against a library of reference absorption peak values, absorption spectrums, transmittance peak values, transmittance spectrums, or combinations thereof; and separating the at least one substrate with desired configurations. In some embodiments, each reference peak absorption value, absorption spectrums, transmittance peak values, transmittance spectrums, or combinations thereof is uniquely associated to a particular substrate.

[0157] Another aspect of the present disclosure provides a software for performing methods of sorting a plurality of substrates from a mixed stream of objects. In some embodiments, the plurality of substrate comprises at least one, at least two, at least three, at least four, at least five, at least ten, at least twenty, at least fifty, at least hundred, at least three hundred, at least five hundred, at least thousand, or at least five thousand substrates. In some embodiments, the plurality of substrates comprises at least five substrates. Accordingly, in some embodiments, the methods comprise sorting at least two substrates from a mixed stream of objects, wherein the at least two substrates comprise a first and a second substrates, the methods comprise: detecting presence of a first and a second markers on the first and second substrates, respectively, wherein each of the and second markers independently absorbs near infrared (NIR) light; reconstructing a first design of a first functionalized coating printed on the first substrate based on one or more configurations of the first marker; reconstructing a second design of a second functionalized coating printed on the second substrate based on one or more configurations of the second marker; comparing the first and second designs of the first and second functionalized coatings, respectively, against a library of reference designs comprising a first reference design and a second reference design, wherein each the first and second reference designs are uniquely associated to the first and second substrates, respectively; and identifying the first and second substrates with the first and second reference designs, respectively. In some embodiments, the one or more configurations comprise an absorption peak value, an absorption spectrum, a transmittance peak value, a transmittance spectrum, or combinations thereof. In some embodiments, the method further comprises comparing the absorption peak value, the absorption spectrum, the transmittance peak value, the transmittance spectrum, or combinations thereof against a library of reference absorption peak values, absorption spectrums, transmittance peak values, transmittance spectrums, or combinations thereof; and separating the first and second substrate with configurations of interest, wherein the first and second substrates have identical or similar absorption peak values, absorption spectrums, transmittance peak values, transmittance spectrums, or combinations thereof relative to each other. In such embodiments, each reference peak absorption value, absorption spectrums, transmittance peak values, transmittance spectrums, or combinations thereof is uniquely associated to at least two substrates.

[0158] Another aspect of the present disclosure provides a method of separating a substrate suitable for sorting using near infrared (NIR) light and a magnetic field from a mixed stream of objects, the method comprises (a) providing the mixed stream of objects that comprises the substrate, wherein the substrate comprises: (i) one or more non-magnetic scaffolds that are transparent or translucent to NIR light, (ii) a first functionalized coating that comprises a marker that absorbs NIR light, wherein the first functionalized coating in printed on the one or more nonmagnetic scaffolds, and (iii) one or more magnetic scaffolds that are transparent or translucent to NIR light, wherein the first functionalized coating is a food contact substance having a migration of less than about 10 milligrams (mg) per squared decimeter (dm²) of contact surface as determined by: contacting the functionalized coating with a chemical food simulant and measuring the weight of the chemical food simulant after the contacting; (b) sorting the mixed stream of objects using optical sorting equipment that emits NIR light, wherein the substrate is separated from at least one obj ect in the mixed stream of obj ects based on the marker that absorbs NIR light; and (c) separating the one or more magnetic scaffolds from sorted substrate by contacting the sorted substrate with a magnetic field having a magnetic flux density ranging from about 3,000 gauss (G) to about 12,000 G. In some embodiments, the one or more magnetic scaffolds comprise a ferromagnetic material. In some embodiments, the one or more magnetic scaffolds are printed with an ink composition comprising a ferromagnetic material.

[0159] Another aspect of the present disclosure provides a software for performing methods of sorting of substrates from a mixed stream of objects, wherein the substrates comprise (a) one or more non-magnetic scaffolds that are transparent or translucent to NIR light, and (b) a functionalized coating, and wherein the functionalized coating comprises a marker that absorbs NIR light and a ferromagnetic material, the methods comprise: sorting substrates with markers of interest, designs of functionalized coatings of interest, or combinations thereof as described herein; and separating the substrate from the resulting stream of objects by contacting the resulting stream with a magnetic field having a magnetic flux density ranging from about 3,000 gauss (G) to about 12,000 G, wherein the substrate is separated from the resulting stream based on attraction of the ferromagnetic material of the functionalized coating to said magnetic field.

EXAMPLES

Example 1 - Functionalized Ink Composition #1

[0160] In an example, a functionalized ink composition comprised 30 parts of a ferromagnetic material (from amongst electrolytic iron, atomized iron, carbonyl iron, carbonyl cobalt, carbonyl nickel, iron oxides, ferritic stainless steel or atomized stainless steel) was dispersed in 30 parts of ethyl acetate, 10 parts of toluene and 17 parts of methyl ethyl ketone. Ten parts of vinyl chloride vinyl acetate terpolymer resin and 3 parts of an amine based wetting and dispersing agent were used to stabilize the ink formulation.

Example 2 - Functionalized Ink Composition #2

[0161] In an example, a functionalized ink composition comprised 30 parts of a ferromagnetic material (from amongst electrolytic iron, atomized iron, carbonyl iron, carbonyl cobalt, carbonyl nickel, iron oxides, ferritic stainless steel or atomized stainless steel) was dispersed in 30 parts of ethyl acetate, 10 parts of toluene and 17 parts of methyl ethyl ketone. Furthermore, 7 parts of vinyl chloride vinyl acetate terpolymer resin and 4 parts of amorphous polyester resin were used. In addition, 3 parts of an amine based wetting and dispersing agent were used to stabilize the ink formulation. Example 3 - Functionalized Ink Composition #3

[0162] In an example, a functionalized ink composition comprised 30 parts of a ferromagnetic material (from amongst electrolytic iron, atomized iron, carbonyl iron, carbonyl cobalt, carbonyl nickel, iron oxides, ferritic stainless steel or atomized stainless steel) was dispersed in 30 parts of ethyl acetate, 10 parts of toluene and 17 parts of methyl ethyl ketone. Furthermore, 6 parts of vinyl chloride vinyl acetate terpolymer resin and 6 parts of ethylene vinyl acetate resin were used. In addition, 3 parts of an amine based wetting and dispersing agent were used to stabilize the ink formulation.

Example 4 - Functionalized Ink Composition #4

[0163] In an example, a functionalized ink composition comprised 30 parts of a ferromagnetic material (from amongst electrolytic iron, atomized iron, carbonyl iron, carbonyl cobalt, carbonyl nickel, iron oxides, ferritic stainless steel or atomized stainless steel) was dispersed in 30 parts of ethyl acetate, 10 parts of toluene and 17 parts of methyl ethyl ketone. Furthermore, 6 parts of vinyl chloride vinyl acetate terpolymer resin and 4 parts of acrylic resin were used. In addition, 3 parts of an amine based wetting and dispersing agent were used to stabilize the ink formulation.

Example 5 - Functionalized Ink Composition #5

[0164] In an example, a functionalized ink composition comprised 30 parts of a ferromagnetic material (from amongst electrolytic iron, atomized iron, carbonyl iron, carbonyl cobalt, carbonyl nickel, iron oxides, ferritic stainless steel or atomized stainless steel or iron alloy with one or more of cobalt, vanadium manganese, molybdenum, silicon, nickel, boron, aluminum, copper) was dispersed in 60 parts of ethyl acetate. Furthermore, 6 parts of vinyl chloride vinyl acetate terpolymer resin and 4 parts of polyamide resin were used. In addition, 3 parts of an amine based wetting and dispersing agent were used to stabilize the ink formulation.

Example 6 - Functionalized Ink Composition #6

[0165] In an example, a functionalized ink composition comprises 30 parts of an azoBODIPY dye dispersed in 60 parts of isopropyl alcohol. 3 parts of an amine based wetting and dispersing agent is added to stabilize the ink formulation. Two parts of the composition described above is mixed with 98 parts of the composition described in Example 4.

Example 7 - Functionalized Ink Composition #7

[0166] In an example, a functionalized ink composition comprises 10 parts of a cyanine dye dispersed in 60 parts of water. 3 parts of an amine based wetting and dispersing agent is added to stabilize the ink formulation. One part of the composition described above is dispersed in 40 parts of isopropyl alcohol and 60 parts of the composition described in Example 5. Example 8 - Method of Applying a Functionalized Label onto a Plastic Object

[0167] In another example, a self-adhesive label was printed with the functionalized ink composition (e.g., any one of the functionalized ink compositions described in Examples 1-7) using a flexographic printing press with a printing speed of 50-150 meters/minute. The label was then affixed to various plastic objects such as single use bottles, bottle caps, single use coffee cups, cutlery, a shrink sleeves, and clamshell containers.

Example 9 - Method of Applying a Ferromagnetic Label onto a Shrink Sleeve Film

[0168] In another example, a polyethylene terephthalate (PET) shrink sleeve film was printed with the functionalized ink composition (e.g., any one of the functionalized ink compositions described in Examples 1-7) in addition to 1-5 non-ferromagnetic ink layers for aesthetic purposes using a gravure printing press with a printing speed of 50-150 meters/minute.

Example 10 - Method of Sorting a Plastic Object that Has the Functionalized Label Having a Ferromagnetic Material Displaced Thereupon

[0169] In an example, a plastic object that has the functionalized label having a ferromagnetic material displaced thereupon (such as a label having any one of the functionalized ink compositions described in Examples 1-5) was separated using a commercial magnetic separator. 500 millilitre (mL) PET bottle comprising the ferromagnetic label ground into flakes and fed onto a conveyor belt. The conveyor belt was equipped with a magnetic pulley with a magnetic field strength of 11,500 +/- 500 gauss at the magnet surface. The magnetic pulley was able to attract the ferromagnetic label flakes inwards while the non-marked bottle flake (i.e., PET bottle flakes not comprising the ferromagnetic material) were thrown away from the conveyor belt. The ferromagnetic label flakes were separated with an average separation efficiency of 99.8%, as observed over the course of 20 runs.

Example 11 - Method of Sorting a Plastic Object that a Functionalized Label having an NIR Marker Displaced Thereupon in a Simulated Glass Waste Stream

[0170] In an example, 500 millilitre (mL) PET bottle that has the functionalized label having a NIR marker displaced thereupon (such as a label having any one of the functionalized ink compositions described in Examples 6-7) was sorted using an optical sorter that emits NIR light at a wavelength of from 900 to 2100 nm. The 500 millilitre (mL) PET bottle comprising the ferromagnetic label was ground into flakes and fed onto a conveyor belt. The conveyor belt was equipped with a magnetic pulley with a magnetic field strength of 11,500 +/- 500 gauss at the magnet surface. The magnetic pulley was able to attract the ferromagnetic label flakes inwards while the non-marked bottle flake (i.e., PET bottle flakes not comprising the ferromagnetic material) were thrown away from the conveyor belt. The ferromagnetic label flakes were separated with an average separation efficiency of 99.8%, as observed over the course of 20 runs.

Example 12 - Stability of Functionalized Ink Composition

[0171] In an example, a stability study of the functionalized ink composition was performed. A plurality of functionalized ink composition samples was stored at a temperature of 40 °C for a period of 7 days. The parameter used for assessing stability was observation of settling of particles of the functionalized ink composition. Settling of the functionalized ink composition samples was qualitatively judged. Settling of the functionalized ink composition samples was rated from a scale from 1 to 5, where 1 indicated a complete settling and 5 indicated no settling. After 7 days, the plurality of functionalized ink compositions was rated a 5. The plurality of functionalized ink composition samples was kept at a temperature of 40 °C for an additional 2 weeks (3 weeks total). The samples were assessed at the end of the 3 week period and were rated a 5, indicating no settling was observed and thus, indicating the functionalized ink composition was stable.

Example 13- Heat Transfer of Functionalized Label

[0172] In an example, a heat transfer study of the functionalized label was performed. The ferromagnetic label comprised three layers in the following order: a release layer, a functionalized ink composition, and an adhesive layer. The three layers of the functionalized label were printed in that order onto a polyester film. The polyester film comprising the functionalized label was then pressed against a flat plastic (i.e., the same material as the desired plastic object to be printed on) for a duration of about 2 seconds using a hot plate with a surface temperature of about 180°C. The polyester film and the object were observed for a transfer of the film and judged qualitatively on a scale of 1-5, where 5 indicated complete transfer from the polyester film onto the plastic without any leftovers and 1 indicated no transfer of label from the polyester film. The functionalized label was assessed after transfer and was rated a 5, indicating a complete transfer from the polyester film onto the plastic object occurred without any ink remnants left on the film surface.

Example 14 - Method of Applying a Functionalized Label onto a Plastic Object

[0173] In an example, a self-adhesive label was printed with the functionalized ink composition (e.g., any one of the functionalized ink compositions described in Examples 1-7) using a flexographic printing press with a printing speed of 50-150 meters/minute. The print thickness/density of the functionalized ink onto the label is between 0.5 and 1.5 gram per square meter. The label was then affixed to various plastic objects such as single use bottles, bottle caps, single use coffee cups, cutlery, a shrink sleeves, and clamshell containers. Example 15 - Method of Applying a Functionalized Label onto a Shrink Sleeve Film

[0174] In an example, a polyethylene terephthalate (PET) shrink sleeve film was printed with the functionalized ink (e.g., any one of the functionalized ink compositions described in Examples 1-7) in addition to 1-5 non-ferromagnetic ink layers for aesthetic purposes using a gravure printing press with a printing speed of 50-150 meters/minute. The print thickness/density of the functionalized ink onto the label is between 0.5 and 1.5 gram per square meter. The label was then affixed to various plastic objects such as single use bottles, reusable plastic bottles for consumer goods and aluminum cans.

Example 16 - Functionalized Ink Composition #8

[0175] In an example, a functionalized ink composition comprises 0.0001-3% (w/w) of an absorptive dye that absorbs NIR light, 8-22% (w/w) acrylic resin, 5-15% (w/w) cellulosic resin, and 60-85% (w/w) solvent.

Example 17 - Functionalized Ink Composition #9

[0176] In an example, a functionalized ink composition comprises 0.0001-3% (w/w) of an absorptive dye that absorbs NIR light, 5-15% (w/w) of a ferromagnetic material (from amongst electrolytic iron, atomized iron, carbonyl iron, carbonyl cobalt, carbonyl nickel, iron oxides, ferritic stainless steel or atomized stainless steel or iron alloy with one or more of cobalt, vanadium manganese, molybdenum, silicon, nickel, boron, aluminum, copper), 10-19% (w/w) vinyl chloride vinyl acetate terpolymer resin, 4-11% (w/w) hydroxyl resin, 0-3% (w/w) extender, 0-2% (w/w) viscosity modifier, 0-4% (w/w) anti-settling agent, and 65-69% (w/w) solvent.

Example 18 - Method of Applying a Functionalized Label having an NIR Marker onto a Plastic Object

[0177] In another example, a self-adhesive label is printed with the functionalized ink composition (e.g., any one of the functionalized ink compositions described in Examples 16-17) using a flexographic printing press with a printing speed of 50-150 meters/minute. The label is then affixed to various plastic objects such as single use bottles, bottle caps, single use coffee cups, cutlery, a shrink sleeves, and clamshell containers.

Example 19 - Method of Applying a Functionalized Label having an NIR Marker onto a Shrink Sleeve Film

[0178] In another example, a polyethylene terephthalate (PET) shrink sleeve film is printed with the functionalized ink composition (e.g., any one of the functionalized ink compositions described in Examples 16-17) in addition to 1-5 non-ferromagnetic ink layers for aesthetic purposes using a gravure printing press with a printing speed of 50-150 meters/minute. Example 20 - Method of Sorting a Plastic Object that a Functionalized Label having an NIR Marker Displaced Thereupon in a Simulated Glass Waste Stream

[0179] In an example, 500 millilitre (mL) PET bottle that has the functionalized label having a NIR marker displaced thereupon (such as a label having any one of the functionalized ink compositions described in Examples 16-17) is sorted using an optical sorter that emits NIR light at a wavelength of from 900 to 2100 nm.

Example 21 - Method of Applying a Functionalized Label having an NIR Marker onto a Plastic Object

[0180] In an example, a self-adhesive label is printed with the functionalized ink composition (e.g., any one of the functionalized ink compositions described in Examples 16-17) using a flexographic printing press with a printing speed of 50-150 meters/minute. The print thickness/density of the functionalized ink onto the label is between 0.5 and 1.5 gram per square meter. The label is then affixed to various plastic objects such as single use bottles, bottle caps, single use coffee cups, cutlery, a shrink sleeves, and clamshell containers.

Example 22 - Method of Applying a Functionalized Label having an NIR Marker onto a Shrink Sleeve Film

[0181] In an example, a polyethylene terephthalate (PET) shrink sleeve film is printed with the functionalized ink (e.g., any one of the functionalized ink compositions described in Examples 16- 17) in addition to 1-5 non-ferromagnetic ink layers for aesthetic purposes using a gravure printing press with a printing speed of 50-150 meters/minute. The print thickness/density of the functionalized ink onto the label is between 0.5 and 1.5 gram per square meter. The label is then affixed to various plastic objects such as single use bottles, reusable plastic bottles for consumer goods and aluminum cans.

[0182] While exemplary embodiments have been shown and described herein, such embodiments are provided by way of example only. Numerous variations, changes, and substitutions are within the scope of the present disclosure. It should be understood that various alternatives to the embodiments described herein may be employed. It is intended that the following claims define the scope of the disclosure and that methods and structures within the scope of these claims and their equivalents be covered thereby.

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. A substrate comprising:

(a) one or more non-magnetic scaffolds that are transparent or translucent to near infrared (NIR) light, and

(b) a functionalized coating that comprises:

(i) a marker that absorbs NIR light, and

(ii) a ferromagnetic material; wherein the functionalized coating is a food contact substance having a migration of less than about 10 milligrams (mg) per squared decimeter (dm²) of contact surface, as determined by: contacting the functionalized coating with a chemical food simulant and measuring the weight of the chemical food simulant after the contacting.

2. The substrate of claim 1, wherein the functionalized coating absorbs UV light.

3. The substrate of claim 1, wherein all components of the functionalized coating are transparent or translucent to visible light.

4. The substrate of claim 1, wherein the marker absorbs NIR light having a wavelength of from 900 to 1400 nm.

5. The substrate of claim 1, wherein the marker is an NIR absorptive dye selected from the group consisting of: an organic dye, a cyanine dye, an azo dye, a fluorophore, and an azoBODIPY dye.

6. The substrate of claim 1, wherein the marker is soluble in organic solvent.

7. The substrate of claim 6, wherein the organic solvent is isopropyl alcohol, ethyl alcohol, n- propyl alcohol, ethyl acetate, n-propyl acetate, acetone, methyl ethyl ketone, methyl isobutyl ketone, toluene, xylene, or benzene.

8. The substrate of claim 1, wherein the marker is soluble in aqueous solution.

9. The substrate of claim 1, wherein the functionalized coating is a solvent-based or water-based coating suitable for flexographic printing, gravure printing, intaglio printing, pad printing, screen printing, offset printing, or any combination thereof.

10. The substrate of claim 1, wherein the functionalized coating comprises less than 20% by weight of the ferromagnetic material.

11. The substrate of claim 1, wherein the ferromagnetic material has a size distribution having a D90 of from about 1 to about 20 microns and a D50 of from about 1 to about 10 microns.

12. The substrate of claim 1, wherein the one or more non-magnetic scaffolds are selected from: a single-use bottle, a bottle cap, a single-use coffee cup, plastic cutlery, an eating utensil, a cutting utensil, a plastic tray, a plastic container, a food packaging container, a shrink sleeve label, a pressure sensitive label, a roll fed label, a wrap label, a stretch label, a cut and stack label, a shrink bundling film, and any combination thereof.

13. The substrate of claim 1 , wherein the one or more non-magnetic scaffolds comprise a polymeric material selected from the group consisting of polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyester, polyethylene (PE), polycarbonate (PC), polystyrene (PS), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), postconsumer resin (PCR), styrene butadiene copolymer (SBC), high density polyethylene(HDPE), fluorine-treated HDPE, low density polyethylene (LDPE), linear low density polyethylene(LLDPE), polypropylene (PP), bioplastic, bisphenol-A (BPA), ethylene-vinyl alcohol (EVOH), polyamide (Nylon or PA), an ionomer, ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA), and any combination thereof.

14. The substrate of claim 1, wherein the functionalized coating comprises a polymer film.

15. The substrate of claim 14, wherein the polymer film is a polyethylene (PE) film, a high density polyethylene (HDPE) film, a low density polyethylene (LDPE) film, a linear low density polyethylene (LLDPE) film, an oriented polypropylene (OPP) film, a biaxially oriented polypropylene (BOPP) film, an oriented polystyrenes (OPS) film, an ethylene-vinyl alcohol (EVOH) film, a polyamide film, an ionomer film, an ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) film, glycosylated polyethylene terephthalate (PETG), polypropylene (PP), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), or any combination thereof.

16. The substrate of claim 1, wherein the ferromagnetic material is an unadulterated iron powder, carbonyl iron, carbonyl cobalt, carbonyl nickel, iron alloys, iron oxides, low carbon steel grades, nickel, cobalt, ferritic stainless steel, atomized stainless steel, or any combination thereof.

17. The substrate of claim 14, wherein the marker that absorbs NIR light or the ferromagnetic material is incorporated into the polymer film.

18. A substrate comprising:

(a) one or more scaffolds that are transparent or translucent to near infrared (NIR) light; and

(b) a functionalized coating that comprises a marker that absorbs NIR light, wherein the functionalized coating is a functionalized ink or a functionalized film that is affixed onto the one or more scaffolds, and wherein the functionalized coating is a food contact substance having a migration of less than about 10 milligrams (mg) per squared decimeter (dm²) of contact surface, as determined by: contacting the functionalized coating with a chemical food simulant and measuring the weight of the chemical food simulant after the contacting.

19. The substrate of claim 18, wherein all components of the functionalized coating are transparent or translucent to visible light.

20. The substrate of claim 18, wherein the marker absorbs NIR light having a wavelength of from 900 to 2000 nm.

21. The substrate of claim 18, wherein the marker is an NIR absorptive dye selected from the group consisting of: an organic dye, a cyanine dye, an azo dye, a fluorophore, and an azoBODIPY dye.

22. The substrate of claim 18, wherein the marker is soluble in organic solvent.

23. The substrate of claim 22, wherein the organic solvent is isopropyl alcohol, ethyl alcohol, n- propyl alcohol, ethyl acetate, n-propyl acetate, acetone, methyl ethyl ketone, methyl isobutyl ketone, toluene, xylene, or benzene.

24. The substrate of claim 18, wherein the marker is soluble in aqueous solution.

25. The substrate of claim 18, wherein the functionalized coating is a solvent-based or water-based coating suitable for flexographic printing, gravure printing, intaglio printing, pad printing, screen printing, offset printing, or any combination thereof.

26. The substrate of claim 18, wherein the one or more scaffolds comprise: a single-use bottle, a bottle cap, a single-use coffee cup, plastic cutlery, an eating utensil, a cutting utensil, a plastic tray, a plastic container, a food packaging container, a shrink sleeve label, a pressure sensitive label, a roll fed label, a wrap label, a stretch label, a cut and stack label, a shrink bundling film, and any combination thereof.

27. The substrate of claim 18, wherein the one or more scaffolds comprise a polymeric material selected from the group consisting of polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyester, polyethylene (PE), polycarbonate (PC), polystyrene (PS), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), post-consumer resin (PCR), styrene butadiene copolymer (SBC), high density polyethylene(HDPE), fluorine-treated HDPE, low density polyethylene (LDPE), linear low density polyethylene(LLDPE), polypropylene (PP), bioplastic, bisphenol-A (BPA), ethylene-vinyl alcohol (EVOH), polyamide (Nylon or PA), an ionomer, ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA), and any combination thereof.

28. The substrate of claim 18, wherein the functionalized coating is the functionalized film, wherein the functionalized film comprises a polymer film.

29. The substrate of claim 28, wherein the polymer film is a polyethylene (PE) film, a high density polyethylene (HDPE) film, a low density polyethylene (LDPE) film, a linear low density polyethylene (LLDPE) film, an oriented polypropylene (OPP) film, a biaxially oriented polypropylene (BOPP) film, an oriented polystyrenes (OPS) film, an ethylene-vinyl alcohol (EVOH) film, a polyamide film, an ionomer film, an ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) film, glycosylated polyethylene terephthalate (PETG), polypropylene (PP), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), or any combination thereof.

30. The substrate of claim 29, wherein the marker that absorbs NIR light is incorporated into the polymer film.

31. A method of making a substrate suitable for sorting using near infrared (NIR) light or a magnetic field, the method comprising:

(a) providing a non-magnetic coating that is transparent or translucent to NIR light;

(b) incorporating a marker that absorbs NIR light into the non-magnetic coating;

(c) incorporating a ferromagnetic material into the non-magnetic coating, thereby producing a functionalized coating, wherein the functionalized coating is a food contact substance having a migration of less than about 10 milligrams (mg) per squared decimeter (dm²) of contact surface, as determined by: contacting the functionalized coating with a chemical food simulant and measuring the weight of the chemical food simulant after the contacting; and

(a) transferring the functionalized coating onto a surface of one or more non-magnetic scaffolds, wherein the one or more non-magnetic scaffolds are transparent or translucent to NIR light; thereby making the substrate that is suitable for sorting using NIR light or the magnetic field.

32. The method of claim 31, wherein the functionalized coating absorbs UV light.

33. The method of claim 31, wherein all components of the functionalized coating are transparent or translucent to visible light.

34. The method of claim 31, wherein the marker absorbs NIR light having a wavelength of from 900 to 1400 nm.

35. The method of claim 31, wherein the marker is an NIR absorptive dye selected from the group consisting of: an organic dye, a cyanine dye, an azo dye, a fluorophore, and an azoBODIPY dye.

36. The method of claim 31, wherein the marker is soluble in organic solvent.

37. The method of claim 36, wherein the organic solvent is isopropyl alcohol, ethyl alcohol, n- propyl alcohol, ethyl acetate, n-propyl acetate, acetone, methyl ethyl ketone, methyl isobutyl ketone, toluene, xylene, or benzene.

38. The method of claim 31, wherein the marker is soluble in aqueous solution.

39. The method of claim 31, wherein the functionalized coating is a solvent-based or water-based coating suitable for flexographic printing, gravure printing, intaglio printing, pad printing, screen printing, offset printing, or any combination thereof.

40. The method of claim 31, wherein the one or more non-magnetic scaffolds are selected from: a shrink sleeve label, a pressure sensitive label, a roll fed label, a wrap label, a stretch label, a cut and stack label, a shrink bundling film, and any combination thereof.

41. The method of claim 31, wherein the one or more non-magnetic scaffolds are selected from: a single-use bottle, a bottle cap, a single-use coffee cup, plastic cutlery, an eating utensil, a cutting utensil, a plastic tray, a plastic container, a food packaging container, or any combination thereof.

42. The method of claim 31, wherein the one or more non-magnetic scaffolds comprise a polymeric material selected from the group consisting of polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyester, polyethylene (PE), polycarbonate (PC), polystyrene (PS), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), postconsumer resin (PCR), styrene butadiene copolymer (SBC), high density polyethylene(HDPE), fluorine-treated HDPE, low density polyethylene (LDPE), linear low density polyethylene(LLDPE), polypropylene (PP), bioplastic, bisphenol-A (BPA), ethylene-vinyl alcohol (EVOH), polyamide (Nylon or PA), an ionomer, ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA), and any combination thereof.

43. The method of claim 31, wherein the substrate is suitable for sorting in a recycling facility using optical sorting equipment that emits NIR light, wherein the marker of the substrate absorbs the NIR light emitted by the optical sorting equipment.

44. The method of claim 43, wherein the optical sorting equipment emits NIR light having a wavelength of from 900 nm - 2500 nm to sort objects.

45. The method of claim 31, wherein the one or more non-magnetic scaffolds are: (a) a bottle that comprises polyethylene terephthalate, and (b) a shrink-sleeve label, wherein the functionalized coating is applied onto the shrink-sleeve label to produce a functionalized label, and wherein the functionalized label is attached to the bottle.

46. The method of claim 45, wherein the substrate is suitable for sorting in a recycling facility using a magnet.

47. The method of claim 45, wherein the magnet used at the recycling facility has a gauss strength of at least 2000 Gauss.

48. A method of separating a substrate suitable for sorting using near infrared (NIR) light and a magnetic field from a mixed stream of objects, the method comprising:

(a) providing the mixed stream of objects that comprises the substrate, wherein the substrate comprises:

(i) one or more non-magnetic scaffolds that are transparent or translucent to NIR light, and

(ii) a functionalized coating that comprises: a marker that absorbs NIR light and a ferromagnetic material; wherein the functionalized coating is a food contact substance having a migration of less than about 10 milligrams (mg) per squared decimeter (dm²) of contact surface, as determined by: contacting the functionalized coating with a chemical food simulant and measuring the weight of the chemical food simulant after the contacting;

(b) sorting the mixed stream of objects using optical sorting equipment that emits NIR light, wherein the substrate is separated from at least one object in the mixed stream of objects based on the marker that absorbs NIR light;

(c) separating the substrate from resulting stream of objects by contacting the resulting stream with a magnetic field having a magnetic flux density ranging from about 3,000 gauss (G) to about 12,000 G, wherein the substrate is separated from the resulting stream based on attraction of the ferromagnetic material of the functionalized coating to said magnetic field.

49. A method of sorting a plurality of substrates from a mixed stream of objects using near infrared (NIR) light, wherein the plurality of substrates comprises a first substrate and a second substrate, wherein the first substrate comprises:

(a) one or more first scaffolds that are transparent or translucent to NIR light, and

(b) a first functionalized coating printed on the one or more first scaffolds, wherein the first functionalized coating comprises a first marker that absorbs NIR light of a first range of wavelengths, and wherein the second substrate comprises:

(c) one or more second scaffolds that are transparent or translucent to NIR light, and

(d) a second functionalized coating printed on the one or more second scaffolds, wherein the second functionalized coating comprises a second marker that absorbs NIR light of a second range of wavelengths that is different than the first range of wavelengths, the method comprising:

(i) providing the mixed stream of objects that comprises the first and second substrates; and

(ii) sorting the first substrate or the second substrate from the mixed stream of objects using optical sorting equipment that emits NIR light that includes both the first range of wavelengths and the second range of wavelengths, wherein the optical sorting equipment emits NIR light, the first substrate is sorted from the mixed stream of objects into one group and the second substrate is sorted from the mixed stream of objects and the first substrate into a second group.

50. The method of claim 49, wherein the method comprises sorting the first substrate from the mixed stream of objects and the second substrate.

51. The method of claim 50, wherein the first substrate is sorted into the same stream of objects that the one or more first scaffolds are sorted in the absence of first functionalized coating.

52. The method of claim 50, wherein the first substrate is sorted into a different stream of objects than the stream of objects that the one or more first scaffolds are sorted into using the optical sorting equipment in the absence of first functionalized coating.

53. The method of claim 52, wherein the first substrate is sorted into the same stream of objects that the one or more second scaffolds are sorted into in the absence of second functionalized coating.

54. The method of claim 49, wherein the method comprises sorting the second substrate from the mixed stream of objects and the first substrate.

55. The method of claim 54, wherein the second substrate is sorted into the same stream of objects that the one or more second scaffolds are sorted in the absence of second functionalized coating.

56. The method of claim 54, wherein the second substrate is sorted into a different stream of objects than the stream of objects that the one or more second scaffolds are sorted into using the optical sorting equipment in the absence of second functionalized coating.

57. The method of claim 56, wherein the second substrate is sorted into the same stream of objects that the one or more first scaffolds are sorted into in the absence of first functionalized coating.

58. The method of claim 49, further comprising programing the optical sorter equipment to sort the first substrate from the mixed stream of objects and the second substrate by emitting light of the first range of wavelengths.

59. The method of claim 49, further comprising programing the optical sorter equipment to sort the second substrate from the mixed stream of objects and the first substrate by emitting light of the second range of wavelengths.

60. A system for sorting a substrate from a mixed stream of objects, wherein the substrate comprises a functionalized film or a functionalized coating comprising a marker that absorbs NIR light, the system comprising:

(a) an optical sorter that emits NIR light, and

(b) a computing device operatively coupled to the optical sorter that comprises: a processor and a non-transitory computer readable storage medium storing instructions that, when execute by the processor, causes the optical sorter to:

(i) emit NIR light at the range of wavelengths that is absorbed by the marker, and

(ii) sort the substrate from the mixed stream of objects based on absorption of the NIR light from the optical sorting device.

61. A method of separating a substrate suitable for sorting using near infrared (NIR) light and a magnetic field from a mixed stream of objects, the method comprising:

(i) one or more non-magnetic scaffolds that are transparent or translucent to NIR light, (ii) a first functionalized coating that comprises a marker that absorbs NIR light, wherein the first functionalized coating in printed on the one or more nonmagnetic scaffolds, and

(iii) one or more magnetic scaffolds that are transparent or translucent to NIR light, wherein the first functionalized coating is a food contact substance having a migration of less than about 10 milligrams (mg) per squared decimeter (dm²) of contact surface as determined by: contacting the functionalized coating with a chemical food simulant and measuring the weight of the chemical food simulant after the contacting;

(b) sorting the mixed stream of objects using optical sorting equipment that emits NIR light, wherein the substrate is separated from at least one object in the mixed stream of objects based on the marker that absorbs NIR light; and

(c) separating the one or more magnetic scaffolds from sorted substrate by contacting the sorted substrate with a magnetic field having a magnetic flux density ranging from about 3,000 gauss (G) to about 12,000 G.

62. The method of claim 61, wherein the one or more magnetic scaffolds comprise a ferromagnetic material.

63. The method of claim 62, wherein concentration of the ferromagnetic material is up to 20% (w/w) of the one or more magnetic scaffolds.

64. The method of claim 61, wherein the one or more magnetic scaffolds are printed with an ink composition comprising a ferromagnetic material.

65. A method of making a ferromagnetic scaffold, the method comprising:

(a) incorporating a ferromagnetic material into a resin using high-sheer extrusion to get a masterbatch that comprises the ferromagnetic material in a range of from 20% (w/w) to 50% (w/w) of the resin;

(b) diluting the masterbatch with a polymer to achieve a target concentration in a range of from 2% (w/w) to 20% (w/w) of the ferromagnetic material in the resin; and

(c) making the ferromagnetic scaffold using the resin.

66. The method of claim 65, wherein the ferromagnetic material is wherein the ferromagnetic material is an unadulterated iron powder, carbonyl iron, carbonyl cobalt, carbonyl nickel, iron alloys, iron oxides, low carbon steel grades, nickel, cobalt, ferritic stainless steel, atomized stainless steel, or any combination thereof.

67. A substrate comprising:

(a) a plastic bottle;

(b) a label attached to the plastic bottle, wherein the label is transparent or translucent to near infrared (NIR) light; and

(c) a functional coating that comprises a marker that absorbs NIR light printed onto the label.

68. The substrate of claim 67, wherein the plastic bottle is made from a polymeric material selected from the group consisting of polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyester, polyethylene (PE), polycarbonate (PC), polystyrene (PS), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), post-consumer resin (PCR), styrene butadiene copolymer (SBC), high density polyethylene(HDPE), fluorine-treated HDPE, low density polyethylene (LDPE), linear low density polyethylene(LLDPE), polypropylene (PP), bioplastic, bisphenol-A (BPA), ethylene-vinyl alcohol (EVOH), polyamide (Nylon or PA), an ionomer, ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA), and any combination thereof.

69. The substrate of claim 67 or 68, wherein the label is a polyethylene (PE) film, a high density polyethylene (HDPE) film, a low density polyethylene (LDPE) film, a linear low density polyethylene (LLDPE) film, an oriented polypropylene (OPP) film, a biaxially oriented polypropylene (BOPP) film, an oriented polystyrenes (OPS) film, an ethylene-vinyl alcohol (EVOH) film, a polyamide film, an ionomer film, an ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) film, glycosylated polyethylene terephthalate (PETG), polypropylene (PP), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), or any combination thereof.