Waste Sorting : TOMRA Recycling unveils dedicated test and training hub for the Americas
During the official opening event, guests experienced live demonstrations and examined various test results.
- © TOMRA“The expansion of our testing, training and warehouse space at our Americas headquarters reflects a commitment to continuously investing in growing markets and getting closer to our customers,” said Lars Enge, EVP and Head of TOMRA Recycling. “We are providing far more than just increased material testing capabilities. From pre-sale consultation and machinery installation to after-sales support and ongoing technical training, TOMRA Recycling partners with our customers throughout the equipment's full lifecycle to ensure long-term, optimal plant performance.”
The latest technologies
TOMRA Recycling’s new 425 sq m Test & Training Centre is equipped with the company’s latest sorting technologies. It provides customers in the region with a facility in which to test waste and plastic materials. It features the latest generation of AUTOSORT™ machines, which are equipped with TOMRA’s GAINnext™ deep learning AI technology.
The AUTOSORT™ combines a variety of features in a single machine, offering a flexible sensor configuration that can adapt to the ever-changing market landscape, including municipal solid waste, paper, plastics, and packaging. GAINnext™ uses AI-based visual classification to identify objects that are difficult to classify, thereby maximising recyclate recovery and purity levels.
For advanced testing of plastic flake materials, the new facility also includes AUTOSORT™ FLAKE and INNOSORT™ FLAKE technologies. INNOSORT™ FLAKE is a flexible technology that delivers simultaneous detection of polymers and colours. It uses an advanced near-infrared (NIR) spectrometer and dual-sided imaging with high-resolution cameras to sort high-purity flakes from contaminated mixed streams.
AUTOSORT™ FLAKE offers a powerful combination of an NIR spectrometer, a full-colour camera and a metal sensor to deliver exceptional performance for high-purity end products.
The Waste Analyzer from PolyPerception, included in the circuit, provides end-to-end material tracking and harnesses the power of deep learning AI. Colour cameras capture real-time images of the material flow at strategic points in the line in order to analyse key performance metrics such as throughput, waste composition, and yield loss. Increasing performance and lowering costs through actionable data, the real-time monitoring provided by the Analyzer brings transparency to operations.
“Our customers based in the Americas can now enjoy expanded testing capacities, shorter lead times and greater flexibility when it comes to scheduling tests,” said Michelle Landon, SVP and Head of Americas for TOMRA Recycling. “Recycling operations are benefiting from collective global TOMRA expertise with our new Test & Training Center, since our Research & Development teams are continuing to innovate with new optical sorting and deep learning AI applications to meet customer needs.”
Expanded training and global reach
The new centre has enabled TOMRA to enhance and expand its training capabilities at its Americas headquarters. In addition to customer maintenance and performance training, TOMRA’s service technicians will undergo training at the new facility.
Two one-day customer training programmes have already been announced. The Operational Maintenance Training course covers basic machine operation and safety, performance data backup and system restoration, preventive maintenance measures, and fault code diagnostics. TOMRA’s Maximising Performance Training provides an overview of advanced machine settings, machine operation, understanding machine performance, stabilising and improving performance, and diagnosing machine conditioning.
Highlighting the strategic importance of the new Test & Training Center, Ralph Uepping, Head of Technology for TOMRA Recycling, said: “The Charlotte facility is a significant addition to our global network, serving as one of seven TOMRA Test & Training Centers worldwide. By mirroring the high standards set at our sites across Europa and Asia, the center ensures that recyclers in the Americas have direct access to the same level of technical expertise and innovation found anywhere in the world. We invite all recyclers to bring their materials and sorting challenges to TOMRA to develop a flexible, customized solution that maximizes throughput, yield, purity and profitability.”
