TECHNOLOGY | SORTING
Right: The Bollegraaf One uses Greyparrot’s AI vision system
which relies on the collaborative operation of multi-stage equipment such as a roller screen, magnetic separator, and ballistic screen, to achieve automated and precise separation. The process requires minimal manual intervention, which not only reduces labour costs but also enhances efficiency and lowers energy consumption.
Operational efficiency Technology companies are also promising to increase efficiency in the overall running of materials recycling operations. In May, Bollegraaf introduced Bollegraaf One, which it says is a digital environment designed to transform the way recycling and sorting plants are managed. Plant performance usually depends on operator experi- ence, manual interventions, and reacting to issues after they occur. Bollegraaf One is built around increased visibility across the plant through live dashboards, machine data, throughput monitoring, and key performance indicators, detecting anoma- lies early, prioritising actions, and receiving intelligent recommendations. According to the company, it combines decades of recycling prowess with advanced analytics and Al-driven technologies, and represents a major milestone toward autonomous recycling plants. Bollegraaf One has been developed in collabo-
ration with data consulting firm WaDaCon, and is powered by waste intelligence platform Greyparrot. In its 2024 partnership agreement with the latter, Bollegraaf transferred its AI vision business to Grey- parrot, bought a shareholding and became
worldwide distributor and strategic partner for Greyparrot’s Analyzer, which provides 100% visibility into waste streams at recycling plants using AI camera systems. “Recycling plants are becoming more complex
every year, while expectations for performance continue to rise,” said Tom Wijkel, Product Manager and project lead for Bollegraaf One. “Our custom- ers need more than data, clarity, guidance, and confidence. Bollegraaf One delivers exactly that.” At IFAT, US company Machinex Technologies unveiled Mind, a new AI platform which it claims can bring system-wide intelligence to modern sorting operations through real-time decision-mak- ing, system optimisation, and advanced reporting. “The future of recycling isn’t just automation, it’s intelligent systems,” said Chris Hawn, CEO of Machinex. “For years, intelligence has been applied
Inspec.tech’s window onto pellet quality
Compounding companies need to be sure of pellet quality, especially when incorporating recycled material.
Inspec.tech is now offering dedicated pellet inspection
and sorting systems which detect and reject sub-par material before it reaches production lines. Real time, in-line inspection and optional sorting provide a critical and previously unavailable window into the process for pellet producers as it allows them to objectively monitor production as it happens, ensuring that any increase in contamination, shift in colour, or change in pellet size and shape, is flagged instantly. This allows operators to receive immediate alerts to make the necessary line adjustments. In addition, sorting functionality can be implemented to
IMAGE:
INSPEC.TECH
Pellet inspection and sorting system detects and rejects sub-par material
26 PLASTICS RECYCLING WORLD | September 2026
automatically reject disqualified pellets before they reach finished product storage. The system can be configured with various cameras and illuminations to optimise cost and performance across a wide range of resins from challenging dark PCR to ultra-clean recycled materials.
www.plasticsrecyclingworld.com
IMAGE: BOLLENGRAAF
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