Mixed waste hinders the effectiveness and efficiency of plastic recycling as it contains a mix of plastic types, color and transparency. To solve the bottleneck, companies bring forward advanced sorting solutions to handle mixed plastic waste before the recycling process, enhancing the quality of recycled plastics.

Machine for high-yield sorting of highly contaminated infeed

TOMRA’s new INNOSORT FLAKE allows simultaneous flake sorting according to polymer, color and transparency, and remove any impurities, in order to achieve unmatched quality even from highly contaminated inputs.

The machine is equipped with state-of-the-art technology. First, with the advanced near-infrared (NIR) spectrometer, the machine precisely detects various polymers from mixed waste, allowing the recovery of recyclable materials from highly contaminated infeed.

For instance, polyolefins (PO), such as polyethylene (PE) and polypropylene (PP), are often found co-mingled in the same waste stream. With the new INNOSORT FLAKE, mixed plastic fractions can be sorted into clean fractions of individual material, which meet the quality requirements for extrusion and the creation of high-quality post-consumer recycled (PCR) content.

Another feature is its unmatched color sorting performance. With a changeable color background and dual-sided high-resolution cameras, the machine owns enhanced optics that can detect millions of colors and create single-color fractions.

Its high contrasting imagining can even differentiate between white opaque and natural, transparent and translucent flakes, reducing material losses and maximizing yield.

All-in-one platform with central control

In Sesotec’s PRE-SORT, the components VARISORT COMPACT sorter, dedusting, material conveying and central control are combined on one platform. Depending on the requirements, plastic regrinds can be sorted based on colors, shapes, metal or plastic types.

PRE-SORT, sorter, dedusting, material conveying and central control are combined on one platform.

The platform also enables comprehensive control over the quality of incoming material. With sensor technology, PRE-SORT also allows the possibility of most diverse sorting processes depending on material composition, offering full process flexibility.

Flexibility of the platform is confirmed by PRE-SORT’s mobile base, which allows users to operate wherever it is needed. 

The sorting platform was debuted at Fakuma 2023 and caught attention.

Optional sensor unit, PROTECTOR metal separator, was also presented at the Fakuma trade show. It is placed directly on the protector and monitors moisture, temperature and color deviations or fluctuations of the material passing through.

Information on parameter deviations pass on to a higher-level system, processes can then be adjusted, ensuring high quality of the end products.