PLASORT-Automatic sorting of big plastic pieces

This project investigates the feasibility of developing an automatic sorting process for larger plastic pieces before the material is milled. This should be done by building on the unique strengths of different types of sensors and vision technologies, and explore the possibility of combining these into a complete identification system with greater precision and speed compared to what the technologies can achieve individually. Estimates of current recycling rates for plastics from WEEE in Sweden varies, but even the more positive ones estimate the recycling rate to only 25%, corresponding to 7 000 tonnes. If the remaining amount of plastics from WEEE were to be recycled rather than incinerated, CO2eq emissions could potentially be reduced by nearly 57 000 tonnes. Today's pretreatment processes is based on that the majority of the material separation takes place after the components and materials are ground into smaller pieces.

Electronics Plastics