“The technology we’ve developed in collaboration with the university is nothing short of a breakthrough for our ability to recycle plastics,” says Hans Axel Kristensen, CEO of PLASTIX.
Photo: Vestforbrænding.
For the first time, we can now tell the difference between a wide range of plastic types and thereby separate plastics according to their chemical composition. This is absolutely ground-breaking and it will increase the rate of recycling of plastics immensely. The technology has already been tested at pilot scale and it will be implemented at an industrial scale in spring 2022.
In contrast to common perceptions, plastic is in no way near one material. Rather, it is a combination of many materials (polymers) with different chemical compounds and additives such as pigments or fibres, depending on its use. It is very difficult to tell the difference between different types of plastics, and this is what makes it difficult to separate and recycle them.
In collaboration with Vestforbrænding, Dansk Affaldsminimering Aps, and PLASTIX, researchers from the Department of Biological and Chemical Engineering at Aarhus University have now developed a new camera technology that can see the difference between 12 different types of plastics (PE, PP, PET, PS, PVC, PVDF, POM, PEEK, ABS, PMMA, PC, and PA12). Together, these constitute the vast majority of household plastic types.
The technology makes it possible to separate plastics based on a purer chemical composition than is possible today, and this opens up for completely new opportunities to recycle plastics. The technology has been tested at pilot scale and is planned to be implemented at PLASTIX and Dansk Affaldsminimering Aps in spring 2022.
“With this technology, we can now see the difference between all types of consumer plastics and several high-performance plastics. We can even see the difference between plastics that consist of the same chemical building blocks, but which are structured slightly differently. We use a hyperspectral camera in the infrared area, and machine learning to analyse and categorise the type of plastic directly on the conveyor belt. The plastic can then be separated into different types. It’s a breakthrough that will have a huge impact on all plastics separation,” says Associate Professor Mogens Hinge, who is heading the project at Aarhus University.
The study has been published in the scientific journal Vibrational Spectroscopy.
Plastics are currently separated using near-infrared technology (NIR) or via density tests (floats/sinks in water). These methods can separate certain plastic fractions (for example PE, PP, and PET), but not with the same accuracy as the new technology, and therefore not with the chemical purity in the composition, and this is vital to be able to increase the recycling rate of waste plastic.
“The technology we’ve developed in collaboration with the university is nothing short of a breakthrough for our ability to recycle plastics. We look forward to installing the technology in our processing hall and starting in earnest on the long journey towards 100% utilisation of waste plastic,” says Hans Axel Kristensen, CEO of PLASTIX.
Plastic must be at least 96% pure by polymer type to be recycled in conventional industry. This means that the plastic has to be separated to an almost pure product in terms of chemical composition.
Using the new technology, we are now a big step along the way, says Associate Professor Mogens Hinge, who stresses that the technology is continuously being developed and that data indicates it may be possible to differentiate even further between polymer types and additives before long.
The hyper-spectral camera technology has been developed in cross-disciplinary collaboration, including BSc and MSc engineering students and researchers at the Department of Biological and Chemical Engineering at Aarhus University, as well as experts from the participating companies.
Original Article: Breakthrough in separating plastic waste: Machines can distinguish 12 different types of plastic
More from: Aarhus University
The Latest Updates from Bing News & Google News
Go deeper with Bing News on:
Plastics recycling
- How invisible barcodes could increase plastic recycling
A pan-industry scheme is testing invisible barcodes on plastic packaging to boost recycling rates. Video by Adrienne Murray, James Brooks and Dougal Shaw Spirit AeroSystems supplied Boeing with faulty ...
- State bag fee generates nearly $200,000 for Loveland recycling efforts
the law’s 10-cent plastic carryout bag fee has generated nearly $200,000 in revenue for Loveland’s recycling program. “If you ever go out and look at a landfill, a lot of times, if they’ve had wind ...
- NYS legislation would shift the onus of recycling packaging to businesses
The proposal would improve recycling infrastructure, reduce toxins in packaging and shift the onus and cost of recycling to manufacturers.
- Giant Heaps of Plastic Are Helping Vegetables Grow
Plastic allows farmers to use less water and fertilizer. But at the end of each season, they’re left with a pile of waste.
- Analysis: Chemical recycling’s ‘inflection point’ nearing
An analysis of nearly 170 chemical (also known as advanced) recycling installations globally says in part that 2024 and 2025 mark “a key inflection point” as to how and whether pyrolysis systems in ...
Go deeper with Google Headlines on:
Plastics recycling
[google_news title=”” keyword=”plastics recycling” num_posts=”5″ blurb_length=”0″ show_thumb=”left”]
Go deeper with Bing News on:
Hyper-spectral camera technology
- This Is the Weirdest Camera I've Ever Loved: The Hasselblad 907X
It's not cheap and it's not perfect, but this camera makes me feel like a better photographer just by holding it.
- Best Home Security Cameras of 2024
Macy Meyer is a N.C. native who graduated from UNC-Chapel Hill in 2021 with a B.A. in English and Journalism. She currently resides in Charlotte, N.C., where she has been working as an Editor I ...
- HySpex by NEO Selected as Supplier for Hyperspectral Camera for In-Orbit Servicing Mission
HySpex by NEO, a leading provider of advanced hyperspectral imaging solutions, has been chosen by a private company as the supplier for a cutting-edge hyperspectral camera to be utilized in an ...
- Best camera deals: Save on DSLR, action cameras, point-and-shoot
They also come with long battery lives, stabilization technology, and several kinds of attachments. Action camera deals almost always get sold out quickly though, so don’t waste any more time if ...
- UK Space Agency funds satellite instruments to monitor emissions
Surrey Satellite Technology Ltd, with support from Pixalytics Ltd Hyper-spectral cameras can target molecules such as carbon dioxide, nitrogen dioxide, carbon monoxide, and methane in the atmosphere ...
Go deeper with Google Headlines on:
Hyper-spectral camera technology
[google_news title=”” keyword=”hyper-spectral camera technology” num_posts=”5″ blurb_length=”0″ show_thumb=”left”]