Imagine if we could tell the difference between a regular plastic bottle and a plant-based one just by looking at them with a special light. This project creates a way to automatically pick out bio-plastics from piles of trash so they don't contaminate other recycling. Once separated, these materials are broken down and rebuilt into high-quality new products instead of ending up in a landfill.
Bio-based plastics make up less than 1% of the market because they cannot be sorted or recycled at scale. This lack of circularity creates a barrier for companies wanting to switch from fossil-fuel plastics.
An extended NIR spectral library for AI-sorting and a mechanical recycling prototype for PLA waste.
If you are a sorting plant operator dealing with contaminated waste streams — this project developed an extended NIR spectral library for AI-sorting technology that allows bio-based plastics to be isolated from mixed waste. This enables the creation of a pure feedstock for recycling.
If you are a bio-plastic producer dealing with low market adoption due to a lack of end-of-life options — this project developed a mechanical and chemical recycling process for PLA and polyester blends. This provides a sustainability selling point to boost sales.
If you are a brand owner dealing with high environmental taxes and EPR fees — this project developed a transparent extended producer responsibility (EPR) calculation scheme. This helps turn technical recycling solutions into a realistic financial model.
Based on available project data, a techno-economic assessment of PLA sorting has been conducted, examining sorting costs and break-even points under different market conditions.
Yes, the project conducted large-scale sorting trials and demonstrations inside four real waste management companies across Italy, Spain, and France.
Based on available project data, the project utilizes AI-sorting technology and an extended NIR spectral library, but specific licensing terms are not mentioned.
The project develops a transparent and realistic extended producer responsibility (EPR) calculation scheme to help implement these solutions in the real world.
The project period runs from 2024-09-01 to 2028-08-31, with initial waste characterization and prototype results already reported.
The consortium is heavily industry-driven with a 70% industry ratio, comprising 14 companies including 4 SMEs. This high concentration of commercial players, including bio-plastic producers, brand owners, and 4 waste management companies, indicates a strong focus on commercial viability and industrial application rather than pure academic research.
Contact Universiteit Gent for technical details on NIR spectral libraries.
Contact us to connect with the PROSPER consortium for NIR sorting integration.
