TOMRA bolsters product portfolio with the launch of INNOSORT™ FLAKE

NORWAY – TOMRA, a leading provider of technology solutions for reverse vending and material recovery, has unveiled the new INNOSORT™ FLAKE, designed for high-throughput purification of plastic flakes.

The INNOSORT™ FLAKE is positioned as an ideal flake sorting solution that aids the industry in recovering more recyclable materials from various waste streams while maximizing yield, according to TOMRA.

Alberto Piovesan, Global Segment Manager for Plastics at TOMRA Recycling Sorting, explains the necessity arising from recycled content targets in Europe and globally.

“Recyclers require solutions to generate high-quality post-consumer recycled content in substantial volumes while aiming for reliable sorting outcomes and operational flexibility. The new INNOSORT™ FLAKE fulfills these needs,” he says.

With a potent sensor combination, the INNOSORT™ FLAKE efficiently sorts polymers based on material type and color, eliminating impurities to yield pure fractions.

Its advanced near-infrared (NIR) spectrometer enables precise detection of various polymers, facilitating the recovery of recyclable materials even from highly contaminated input sources.

This technology allows for the sorting of plastics reclaimed from mixed waste, thereby granting access to more recyclable materials that would otherwise be lost or relegated to lower-grade applications.

Moreover, the machine can sort shredded mixed plastic fractions into clean PET, PP, PE, and other materials that meet the stringent quality requirements for extrusion and the creation of high-quality post-consumer recycled (PCR) content.

The machine’s exceptional color-sorting performance benefits plant operators significantly. Enhanced optics, adaptable color backgrounds, and dual-sided high-resolution cameras can detect millions of colors, creating single-color fractions. Its high-contrast imaging can discern between various types of flakes, reducing material losses and maximizing yield.

The new INNOSORT™ FLAKE is equipped with up to four chutes and an adaptable illumination background, allowing for multiple sorting and recovery steps in a single machine. This not only saves time but also reduces material handling significantly.

Additionally, TOMRA offers TOMRA Insight as an add-on service. This cloud-based data monitoring platform aids in improving sorting performance by optimizing processes through data analysis and identifying inefficiencies to support reduced machine downtime and productivity losses. It also provides real-time monitoring for maintaining process stability.

Piovesan concludes: “The enhanced technologies in the new INNOSORT™ FLAKE are revolutionizing plastic recycling. Customers testing our system are convinced of its capabilities and user-friendliness.

“This adaptability, combined with cutting-edge technology, makes the INNOSORT™ FLAKE a future-proof flake sorting solution for recyclers aiming to produce extrusion-ready flakes.”