Intelligent AI sorting-solutions

“ there is a strong need to improve packaging circularity via better waste sorting management ”

Nine brand-owners, an independent test & research centre and two universities will bring expertise gained over 2 years of research to develop and test a new artificial intelligence (AI) decision model. This could significantly improve efficiency in the separating of packages that are currently not properly sorted, such as food and non-food.

Promising solutions

Beyond the current practices of the industry on reduction, reuse of materials and eco-design, there is a strong need to improve packaging circularity via better waste sorting management. Current sorting techniques have limited performances as they are based on a few parameters such as the type of material, rigid or flexible properties, colour, etc. In addition, some packages are currently not efficiently separated which is the case for food vs. non-food packaging or flexible multi-material packaging. Over the past few years, several projects focusing on the development of disruptive technologies such as watermarks have been initiated, with the objective of enhancing packaging waste sorting in the EU. AI technologies applied to waste sorting are also in line with this approach and promising solutions that would not involve changes in packaging design.

“ promising solutions that would not involve changes in packaging design ”