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Smart Sorting: How Technological Innovation is Revolutionizing Plastic Recycling
The plastics industry is under pressure and at a turning point. Stricter regulations like the new EU Packaging Regulation (PPWR), increasing demands for sustainability, and growing international competition require a radical shift in thinking. Circular economy is no longer a future concept—it's a regulatory reality and an economic necessity.
Sorting technology is at the heart of the process. Only when plastics are separated into pure types can high-quality recyclates be produced—essential for food packaging, which must contain at least 30% recycled material by 2030. This is where innovation comes in: modern sorting systems combine sensors with Artificial Intelligence (AI) to identify and separate materials with precision and efficiency.
Sesotec is leading this advancement. Our AI-driven solutions, OBJECT-Ai and NIR-Ai, enable the reliable sorting of even the most challenging materials like PET trays, multilayer packaging, and silicone-containing plastics. This enhances the quality of recyclates, boosting their market viability.
Digital technologies such as product passports and watermark systems (e.g., HolyGrail 2.0) are also gaining traction. They enhance material traceability and improve transparency across the value chain. The key requirements are high data quality and the ability to connect systems via the cloud.
However, true circular economy success requires collaboration—recycling-friendly product design, coordinated processes, and innovative partners. Companies like Sesotec are evolving from machinery manufacturers to digital solution providers.
Conclusion
Sorting technology is the key to a circular economy. By investing in intelligent systems today, you're not just part of the transformation—you're redefining the value creation of tomorrow.
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The full article by Andreas Hanus, Head of Development AI at Sesotec GmbH, can be read on the Verantwortung magazine website: Smart Sorting: Recycling Plastics - Responsibility Initiative
“Responsibility – The Magazine for Sustainability, CSR, and Innovative Growth” addresses the challenges and opportunities of global future trends and the associated corporate responsibilities. It is an initiative of the F.A.Z. Institute, a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung.