Recycling fishing nets with hyperspectral imaging

(All photos: Copyright: PLASTIX)

The global challenge of plastic waste management has driven innovative solutions to enhance recycling processes. Plastix, a company dedicated to upcycling discarded fishing nets and other maritime plastic waste, has taken a groundbreaking step in improving the purity and efficiency of recycled plastics. A crucial component of this advancement is the Hypervision 1700 supplied by Qtechnology, enabling precise plastic identification and sorting based on chemical composition.

Recycling complex plastic waste

Marine plastic waste, particularly discarded fishing nets, presents a significant environmental challenge. These nets are typically made from various polymers, making them difficult to separate and recycle effectively. Traditional plastic sorting methods, such as near-infrared (NIR) technology or density separation, struggle to achieve the required purity levels needed for high-quality recycled materials.

For recycled plastics to be reintegrated into the manufacturing industry, they must meet stringent purity requirements. Sorting fishing nets and maritime waste by polymer type is essential for producing high-value, reusable materials. This required a more advanced imaging and classification technology.

Adressing the problem with hyperspectral imaging

To address these challenges, Plastix integrated Qtechnology’s Hypervision 1700 into their sorting and processing line. This cutting-edge imaging technology enables Plastix to achieve a new level of accuracy in plastic sorting by identifying the distinct chemical signatures of different polymers.

The benefits

• Precise polymer identification: Differentiates between various plastics, including PE, PP, PET, PS, PVC, and PA12, ensuring higher purity levels in recycled output.
• Non-destructive & real-time sorting: Allows plastics to be identified and sorted efficiently without physical sampling.
• AI-powered image processing: Uses machine learning algorithms to enhance sorting accuracy and adaptability.
• Optimized material recovery: Increases the volume of usable recycled plastic, reducing waste and improving economic feasibility.

Implementation at Plastix

Plastix implemented the Qtechnology hyperspectral camera as part of an automated sorting system that analyzes plastic waste directly on the conveyor belt.

The system in short:

• Incoming plastic waste is scanned at high speed.
• Classification of polymers based on unique spectral fingerprints.
• Enables automated separation of plastics into highly pure fractions.

This allows Plastix to create high-grade recycled plastic materials that can be used in various industries.

Setting new boundaires within plastic recycling

By integrating Qtechnology’s hyperspectral imaging, Plastix has significantly enhanced its ability to process marine plastic waste efficiently. The technology enables the company to:

• Achieve purity levels exceeding 96%, making recycled plastics viable for industrial reuse.
• Increase sorting efficiency, reducing operational costs and boosting productivity.
• Contribute to a circular economy, ensuring discarded fishing nets are transformed into valuable resources instead of polluting oceans.

Future Prospects

With the success of hyperspectral imaging in plastic sorting, the future holds exciting possibilities:

• Expanding the technology to other plastic waste streams such as household and industrial plastics.
• Enhancing AI-driven sorting models to further improve classification precision.
• Scaling up operations to support global plastic recycling initiatives.

Qtechnology’s hyperspectral camera is playing a pivotal role in Plastix’s mission to revolutionize plastic recycling. By providing unmatched accuracy in plastic identification, the technology helps ensure that maritime plastic waste is repurposed efficiently, contributing to a cleaner planet and a more sustainable future.

Through innovation and collaboration, Qtechnology and Plastix are setting new standards for high-purity plastic recycling, proving that technology can drive meaningful environmental change.