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The correct categorisation of materials in the sorting plant is an important prerequisite for high-quality recyclate. A study has now evaluated various innovative identification processes for plastic packaging.
„Innovative sorting technologies play a key role in the reuse of used plastic packaging. Their increased use could lead to a higher recycling quality and quantity of recyclates and thus reduce negative environmental impacts.“
Diana Uschkoreit, Managing Director at BellandVision
Uschkoreit heads the „Technology and recyclability“ specialist package of the Forum Recyclate, which is a Comparative study of identification technologies for lightweight packaging (LVP) - with the aim of creating comparability on the basis of a neutral comparison and thus making it easier for manufacturers and sorting plant operators to make investment decisions and providing political decision-makers with important information for future legislative procedures.
According to experts in the circular economy using innovative processes such as digital watermarks, fluorescent markers or image recognition in combination with artificial intelligence, used packaging made of plastic or paper composites can be better identified, sorted and recycled. This creates a fundamental prerequisite for high-quality recycled material.
A research consortium was set up with Hamburg University of Technology, Pforzheim University of Applied Sciences and the University of Leoben to identify relevant technology providers and evaluate their processes as a neutral body. As part of the study, the scientists are comparing new technologies for this purpose. Identification technologies as a supplement to the near-infrared technology currently installed in German sorting systems for lightweight packaging (NIR). When creating a strengths and weaknesses profile, criteria such as technical maturity, the number of possible separation features and the expected costs play an important role.
Interest in new methods and techniques
The study is based on a Literature research and practical experience in Germany. The results are also based on a survey of experts from the recycling industry, technology providers and findings from previous research projects of the project participants.
„The results of the study show that there is considerable interest in further developing and improving the technology in sorting plants,“ says Uschkoreit. Almost a third of the sorting plants surveyed, or 39 per cent of the total capacity in Germany, are closely following new technological developments and have Expressed interest in retrofitting their own systems. Others are still unsure about which identification method to use in the future. They need a neutral comparison in order to be able to make the right decisions for their application.
According to the study, a total of 39 WEEE sorting plants were in operation in Germany in 2022, with a total sorting capacity of 3.3 million tonnes per year. Larger plants generally generate more different sorting fractions than the operators of smaller plants. One The limited space available on site plays a central role in the expansion of the plants in terms of new technologies. Some plants have already been able to install innovative sorting technologies for certain plastic fractions.
In conclusion the study recommends conducting large-scale tests under real conditions in the form of a follow-up study, to compare the different innovative sorting technologies under identical test conditions. In the context of this theoretical study, for example, it is not possible to compare the different innovative sorting technologies under identical test conditions. difficult to compare the performance of the technologies with each other. The new processes should also be assessed in terms of recyclate quality. Furthermore, material flow analyses and life cycle assessments should be carried out in order to prove the positive environmental impact and convince all stakeholders.
Source: Forum Recyclate
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