Sensor-based symphony: sorting and recycling in perfect harmony

What can be recycled, and what can't? Sorting waste is a challenge – for both people and machines. TOMRA, pioneer in this field has introduced its new generation AUTOSORT in 2020 under the motto "Symphony of all sorts". This is intended to take the plastics industry a big step further towards sustainability.

In an interview with K-MAG and EuroShop.mag, Fabrizio Radice talks about the new AUTOSORT, what recycling has to do with a symphony and what responsibility the retail industry has when it comes to sustainability.

You introduced your new AUTOSORT last year. What's so special about it?

Fabrizio Radice: AUTOSORT® is our core product for which we offer additional complementary products that can be used for various applications.  It combines leading-edge features and technologies in one sorting machine: Equipped with sophisticated infrared sorting technology which combines near infrared (NIR) and visual spectrometers (VIS), AUTOSORT® can accurately and quickly identify and separate different materials according to their material type and color, extracting high-purity high-value end fractions. It is compact and ultra-flexible in design and thus allows for an uncomplicated integration into existing and new plants. Given its multifunctional nature the unit’s several different sensors can be combined to meet the bespoke needs of our customers.

You came up with something special for the launch: A live launch event under the motto of a "Symphony of all sorts." Why did you decide on this?

Radice: Previously, the product launches were originally due to take place at IFAT 2020, but with the event cancelled due to Covid-19, we adapted our plans and instead launched the new products on a digital platform broadcasted from Germany.  

At first glance, there might not seem to be an association to topics considered in recycling. On second glance, there is: the symphony reflects the recycling process, which can only be highly effective if all the instruments involved, including TOMRA's new complementary products, form a perfectly harmonized symphony to sort all types of waste with high accuracy and sophistication.

What exactly was the event like?

Radice: The event was a one-hour session broadcasted from a studio near the company's headquarters. Approximately 1000 participants (delegates world-wide, including representatives from a number of international and regional press titles) listened to various presentations explaining the “Symphony of all sorts” concept and introduced the new generation AUTOSORT® as well as its complementary products, AUTOSORT® SPEEDAIR and AUTOSORT® CYBOT. A closing, interactive Q&A session enabled delegates to find out more about the new products' capabilities and hear about TOMRA's predictions for the global future of sensor-based sorting.

To what extent do you contribute to more sustainability with your sensor-based sorting machines?

Radice: We are both a technology provider and consultant. We help partners, plant builders and customers to find the best suitable sorting solution for their respective needs and sorting requirements. Once established, we provide the respective sorting solution that is an integral part of a recycling and/or sorting plant in which it recovers valuable materials out of waste streams. To give an example: an AUTOSORT® sorting unit can recover different plastics types out of different waste streams, such as municipal solid waste, separate collections and many more. The more materials the machine recovers at high purity rates, the more material can be recycled to high qualities and made available on the market. Consequently, brand owners and converters have access to these recyclates and can use them in the production of their materials rather than primary resources. This in turn, promotes greater sustainability.

What significance does the K – The World's No. 1 Trade Fair for Plastics and Rubber have for you?

Radice: We have exhibited at K numerous times and consider it an important platform to present our plastics sorting solutions, to inform about the market and future trends, to use valuable networking opportunities. Moreover, it is a good event to highlight the need to shift to a circular economy – a transition that we strongly contribute to. In 2022, we will be present as exhibitor again and are looking forward to welcoming a lot of guests at our booth.

Recycling and sustainability are also playing an increasingly important role in the retail sector. How do you think this aspiration can be implemented there?

Radice: Consumer awareness has been strengthened considerably over the last time, making them push for more recycled and sustainably developed products. To offer more such products, they must be designed for recycling in a first place. Afterwards, proper collection and sorting must be granted before pure material fractions are sent to recycling facilities, transformed to virgin like recyclates and made available to brand owners and converters on the market again. Design for recycling is key. For instance, if a products' body is covered by a shrink sleeve made of another material and is hard to separate from the body (if not done manually by the consumer), recycling is hard to impossible.