SMX Turns Recycled Plastic Into a Cost-Decrease Stabilizer

Rhea-AI Summary

SMX (NASDAQ:SMX) unveiled a blockchain and molecular-marking model to digitize and tokenize recycled plastic as the Plastic Cycle Token (PCT) on March 24, 2026. The system links permanent molecular identifiers to immutable records, enabling authenticated recycled material, tradable tokens, and streamlined supply-chain verification.

SMX positions PCT as a way to reduce recycling frictions, lower procurement costs, and create monetizable value from verified recycled plastic, aiming to help stabilize consumer goods prices amid energy and geopolitical volatility.

News Market Reaction – SMX

-2.96%

13 alerts

-2.96% News Effect

+12.5% Peak Tracked

-13.7% Trough Tracked

-$956K Valuation Impact

$31.33M Market Cap

0.7x Rel. Volume

On the day this news was published, SMX declined 2.96%, reflecting a moderate negative market reaction. Argus tracked a peak move of +12.5% during that session. Argus tracked a trough of -13.7% from its starting point during tracking. Our momentum scanner triggered 13 alerts that day, indicating notable trading interest and price volatility. This price movement removed approximately $956K from the company's valuation, bringing the market cap to $31.33M at that time.

Data tracked by StockTitan Argus on the day of publication.

NEW YORK CITY, NY / ACCESS Newswire / March 24, 2026 / SMX (Security Matters) PLC (NASDAQ:SMX) is advancing a new economic model for plastics, leveraging blockchain and tokenization technology to help contain rising costs for everyday goods at a time when global conflict and energy volatility are driving prices higher. As war continues to disrupt oil and gas markets, the cost of producing virgin plastic-an essential input in food packaging, clothing, and consumer products-is increasing, placing sustained pressure on manufacturers and consumers alike.

SMX's approach reframes plastic not just as a material, but as a tracked, verified, and digitized asset.

At the core of this transformation is SMX's integration of molecular marking technology with a blockchain-enabled digital platform. Through its molecular marking capability, SMX embeds a permanent, invisible identifier into plastic materials, linking each batch to a secure, immutable digital record. This creates a system where every unit of plastic can be authenticated in real time-its origin, composition, and lifecycle fully traceable and verifiable.

This foundation enables the next step: tokenization.

SMX's Plastic Cycle Token (PCT) converts verified recycled plastic into a measurable, tradable digital asset. Each token is backed by real-world, authenticated material that has been tracked through production, use, and recycling. Unlike traditional environmental credits, which often rely on estimates or indirect reporting, PCT is grounded in direct, verifiable industrial activity.

This introduces a powerful new economic dynamic.

First, it reduces costs.

By digitizing and verifying recycled plastic at the material level, SMX eliminates the inefficiencies that have historically driven up recycling costs-such as fragmented verification systems, contamination risk, and inconsistent quality. Blockchain infrastructure ensures that data is secure, transparent, and instantly accessible, reducing administrative burdens, streamlining procurement, and lowering transaction costs across the supply chain.

Second, it creates value.

Through tokenization, recycled plastic is no longer just a substitute for virgin material-it becomes a financial instrument. Each verified recycling event can generate a corresponding digital asset, enabling companies to participate in a new market where material recovery is measurable, tradable, and monetizable. This creates an additional revenue stream tied directly to sustainability performance.

The combination is transformative.

In traditional systems, rising oil and gas prices-often exacerbated by geopolitical instability-translate directly into higher costs for virgin plastic, which are then passed on to consumers. SMX disrupts this model by enabling a parallel economy based on recycled materials that are both cost-efficient and value-generating.

As energy-driven inflation impacts everything from groceries to apparel, this shift becomes increasingly important.

Recycled plastic, once burdened by a "green premium," is becoming economically competitive-and in some cases, cheaper-than virgin alternatives. With SMX's blockchain-backed verification and tokenization, that advantage is amplified. Materials can be trusted without costly validation processes, and their value can be realized beyond their physical use.

For manufacturers, this means lower and more predictable input costs, improved supply chain resilience, and access to new financial upside. For consumers, it means the potential to stabilize-or even reduce-the price of everyday goods in an otherwise inflationary environment.

"Markets are moving from promises to proof," said SMX. "By combining physical material identity with blockchain infrastructure and tokenization, we are turning recycling into both a cost solution and a value creation engine. That changes the economics of the entire system."

As global markets continue to absorb the economic impact of conflict, energy disruption, and regulatory pressure, the ability to digitize, verify, and monetize materials is emerging as a critical advantage.

SMX positions itself at the forefront of this shift-where plastic is no longer just produced and consumed, but tracked, verified, and financially optimized.

The result is a new model for materials: one where recycling lowers costs, generates value, and helps protect consumers from the cascading effects of global volatility.

About SMX (Security Matters) PLC

SMX (NASDAQ:SMX) is a global technology company focused on digitizing physical materials to enable a more transparent, efficient, and sustainable circular economy. Through its proprietary molecular marking, tracking, and blockchain-integrated data platform, SMX creates persistent identities for materials and enables tokenization frameworks such as the Plastic Cycle Token, supporting applications across plastics, textiles, metals, and other critical industries.

Contact: Billy White/ billywhite@gmail.com

SOURCE: SMX (Security Matters)

View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire

FAQ

What is the Plastic Cycle Token (PCT) announced by SMX (SMX) on March 24, 2026?

PCT is a blockchain-backed digital token representing verified recycled plastic material. According to SMX, each PCT is backed by real-world plastic tracked with molecular marking and immutable records, enabling tradability and a measurable link between recycling events and digital assets.

How does SMX's molecular marking reduce costs for manufacturers using recycled plastic?

Molecular marking enables real-time authentication of recycled plastic batches, lowering verification costs and contamination risk. According to SMX, permanent invisible identifiers plus blockchain records streamline procurement, reduce transaction friction, and cut administrative expenses across the supply chain.

Will SMX's tokenization make recycled plastic cheaper than virgin plastic for buyers?

SMX says tokenization can make recycled plastic economically competitive or cheaper than virgin alternatives in some cases. According to SMX, verified recycled material reduces validation costs and creates tradable value, improving price competitiveness amid oil and gas–driven virgin-plastic inflation.

How can manufacturers monetize recycled plastic through SMX's platform (SMX)?

Manufacturers can generate tradable tokens tied to verified recycling events that represent measurable value. According to SMX, the tokenized assets create an additional revenue stream by turning authenticated material recovery into a financial instrument on the blockchain.

What supply-chain benefits does SMX claim from integrating blockchain with material tagging?

SMX claims blockchain plus molecular tagging improves traceability, transparency, and data security across material lifecycles. According to SMX, this reduces verification disputes, accelerates procurement, and increases resilience against supply shocks caused by energy or geopolitical disruptions.

How does SMX (NASDAQ:SMX) position its solution versus traditional environmental credits?

SMX positions PCT as grounded in direct, verifiable industrial activity rather than estimate-based credits. According to SMX, each token is backed by authenticated material tracked from production to recycling, offering measurable and auditable value that differs from indirect reporting systems.