The recent executive order banning paper straws in the United States marks a pivotal shift in sustainability policy. While well-intentioned, the push for alternatives like Paper Pulp and new chemistry for plastics has been proven problematic and with significant commercial challenges -prone to breaking down, leaving a poor user experience, and requiring resources that aren't always greener. Now, as plastic straws make their return, the focus must shift from eliminating plastic altogether to making it more sustainable. In other words, focus more on the SMX definition of "material efficiency."
Enter and meet SMX Ltd. (NASDAQ:SMX), a pioneering technology company specializing in digitizing physical assets and materials for the circular economy. This company isn't fighting against plastics' enormous value- it's actually strengthening its use case by refining the traceability solutions that have created the stigma. In other words, SMX isn't fighting plastic but redefining it.
And in no ordinary ways. Unlike any other known technology, SMX's cutting-edge material tracking and Chemical marker and blockchain-based sustainability technology can help ensure that plastic-in this case, single-use items like straws-can exist responsibly in a circular economy.
SMX Contributes On A Larger Scale
The better news is that SMX can change the narrative around plastic, which has been steeped in regulatory bans and punitive taxation. That's important. Why? Because the reality is that plastic isn't going anywhere-it's woven into modern life, from packaging to medical devices to our clothes, electronics devices and home appliance. The problem has never been the material itself but how we handle it post-use.
Addressing that shortcoming, SMX has introduced the Plastic Cycle Token (PCT), a revolutionary approach to plastics sustainability that allows companies to verify recycled plastic content in real-time in a transparent, traceable, and actionable approach. Not just at its endpoint, either.
SMX technology provides an end-to-end solution for responsible plastic production by ensuring full traceability from raw materials to product and product recycling. That ability doesn't destroy the value of plastics- it enhances it by helping manufacturers and consumers embrace sustainable alternatives without compromising quality or compliance. Consider it as Carbon Credits on steroids.
SMX for Food, MedTech, Aviation, and Beyond
Those that haven't heard of SMX soon will. Its traceability solutions are making inroads across industries under pressure to increase sustainability. In the food and beverage sector, major brands that face constant scrutiny over their plastic usage can utilize SMX's technology to prove the amount of recycled plastic in their packaging. The data provided could be the best and quickest tool to demonstrate compliance, eliminating many regulatory headaches. Other markets should be equally interested.
In MedTech, where single-use plastics are essential for sterility, SMX's molecular-level tracking allows medical-grade plastics to be safely reintegrated into the supply chain. This could fundamentally change how hospitals and laboratories manage plastic waste.
Even the aviation sector is recognizing the value of plastic traceability. As eVTOL aircraft and sustainable aviation fuel gain traction, lightweight composite materials incorporating plastics are becoming critical. SMX's solutions can help manufacturers verify sustainable sourcing while also securing valuable plastic credits. There's more.
One of the loudest calls for improvement targets commodities like coffee, cocoa, tea, palm oil, and natural rubber, now under scrutiny from environmentalists. These activists aren't corporate enemies- they're vital for driving positive change and urging global companies toward transparency in the circular economy. In many instances, their demands have resulted in regulations focusing on traceability in supply chains, placing commodity-based industries at a critical juncture. There is a "right" road to take, however. SMX has paved the way by revolutionizing the tracking of food-based commodities, effectively addressing the "first-mile" challenge that other technologies have yet to solve.
A Market-Driven Alternative to Regulation
In the process, SMX can eliminate punitive orders for positive ones. For too long, regulatory bodies have approached sustainability with an outdated mindset-bans, quotas, and penalties. But history has shown that markets regulate themselves better than government-imposed controls ever could. SMX's Plastic Cycle Token provides an open-market solution that allows companies to trade verified plastic credits, incentivizing recycling rather than punishing plastic use.
The lawsuit against beverage companies in Los Angeles County is a perfect example of how regulators get it wrong. Penalizing corporations without providing a viable alternative only stifles innovation. SMX's model flips the script, offering a verifiable, market-based approach that encourages industries to engage in sustainability voluntarily-and profitably.
Plastic isn't the enemy-mismanagement is. As industries worldwide wrestle with sustainability targets, SMX presents a pragmatic way forward: track, trace, and turn it into a market-driven asset. From food packaging to aviation, from MedTech to renewable energy, the Plastic Cycle Token is a blueprint for sustainability that makes sense. By shifting the narrative away from elimination and toward responsibility, SMX proves that plastic can-and should-have a permanent place in a truly circular economy.
Sources and references:
https://nypost.com/2025/02/07/us-news/trump-vows-to-end-bidens-ridiculous-paper-straw-initiative-back-to-plastic/
https://www.reuters.com/markets/commodities/cocoa-traceability-rates-fail-improve-eu-deforestation-law-looms-2024-10-01/
https://time.com/6264772/study-most-carbon-credits-are-bogus/
https://packagingeurope.com/news/all-27-member-states-miss-collection-and-recycling-targets-and-face-infringement-procedure/11677.article
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/california-plastics-lawsuit-exxon/
https://packagingeurope.com/news/all-27-member-states-miss-collection-and-recycling-targets-and-face-infringement-procedure/11677.article
https://thehill.com/policy/energy-environment/4966035-soda-giants-misled-recyclability/
About SMX (Security Matters) Public Limited Company
As global businesses face new and complex challenges relating to carbon neutrality and meeting new governmental and regional regulations and standards, SMX is able to offer players along the value chain access to its marking, tracking, measuring and digital platform technology to transition more successfully to a low-carbon economy.
Forward-Looking Statements
The information in this press release includes "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements regarding expectations, hopes, beliefs, intentions or strategies regarding the future. In addition, any statements that refer to projections, forecasts or other characterizations of future events or circumstances, including any underlying assumptions, are forward-looking statements. The words "anticipate," "believe," "contemplate," "continue," "could," "estimate," "expect," "forecast," "intends," "may," "will," "might," "plan," "possible," "potential," "predict," "project," "should," "would" and similar expressions may identify forward-looking statements, but the absence of these words does not mean that a statement is not forward-looking. Forward-looking statements in this press release may include, for example: matters relating to the Company's fight against abusive and possibly illegal trading tactics against the Company's stock; successful launch and implementation of SMX's joint projects with manufacturers and other supply chain participants of steel, rubber and other materials; changes in SMX's strategy, future operations, financial position, estimated revenues and losses, projected costs, prospects and plans; SMX's ability to develop and launch new products and services, including its planned Plastic Cycle Token; SMX's ability to successfully and efficiently integrate future expansion plans and opportunities; SMX's ability to grow its business in a cost-effective manner; SMX's product development timeline and estimated research and development costs; the implementation, market acceptance and success of SMX's business model; developments and projections relating to SMX's competitors and industry; and SMX's approach and goals with respect to technology. These forward-looking statements are based on information available as of the date of this press release, and current expectations, forecasts and assumptions, and involve a number of judgments, risks and uncertainties. Accordingly, forward-looking statements should not be relied upon as representing views as of any subsequent date, and no obligation is undertaken to update forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date they were made, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as may be required under applicable securities laws. As a result of a number of known and unknown risks and uncertainties, actual results or performance may be materially different from those expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. Some factors that could cause actual results to differ include: the ability to maintain the listing of the Company's shares on Nasdaq; changes in applicable laws or regulations; any lingering effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on SMX's business; the ability to implement business plans, forecasts, and other expectations, and identify and realize additional opportunities; the risk of downturns and the possibility of rapid change in the highly competitive industry in which SMX operates; the risk that SMX and its current and future collaborators are unable to successfully develop and commercialize SMX's products or services, or experience significant delays in doing so; the risk that the Company may never achieve or sustain profitability; the risk that the Company will need to raise additional capital to execute its business plan, which may not be available on acceptable terms or at all; the risk that the Company experiences difficulties in managing its growth and expanding operations; the risk that third-party suppliers and manufacturers are not able to fully and timely meet their obligations; the risk that SMX is unable to secure or protect its intellectual property; the possibility that SMX may be adversely affected by other economic, business, and/or competitive factors; and other risks and uncertainties described in SMX's filings from time to time with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
This opinion article is published with permission from Hawk Point media Group, Llc. Other than for fact-checking purposes, SMX Ltd. has offered no editorial contributions.
Additional Disclaimers and Disclosures: This is sponsored content. Hawk Point Media Group, LLC. (HPM) has been compensated, or expects to be, to produce and distribute digital content for SMX Ltd. It should be expressly understood that HPM is not operated by a licensed broker, a dealer, or a registered investment adviser. It should also be expressly understood that under no circumstances does any information published herein represent a recommendation to buy or sell a security. HPM reports/releases are commercial advertisements and are for general information purposes ONLY. The information made available by HPM is not intended to be, nor does it constitute, investment advice or recommendations. The contributors do NOT buy and sell securities covered before or after any particular article, report and/or publication. HPM holds ZERO shares of stock in SMX Ltd.. While HPM does not own or market shares, it is prudent to expect that those hiring HPM including that company's owners, employees, and affiliates, may sell some or even all of the SMX Ltd. shares that they own, if any, during and/or after this engagement period. Always do your own due diligence prior to investing in any publicly traded company. For a full disclaimer and disclosure statement, click HERE.
Contact Information
Ken Ellis
ken@hawkpointmedia.com
SOURCE: SMX (Security Matters)
