How can we reduce European resource use drastically? Examples for Factor X reduction in resource use in Europe

The innovative analysis technology from UNISENSOR Sensor Systems GmbH (Karlsruhe) opens up completely new possibilities for the recycling of plastics, and enables the sustainable recovery of important raw materials. A sorting system based on laser spectroscopy separates even synthetics which were previously not separable with the greatest precision and speed. The plastics are ground into flakes, analyzed in the newly-developed Powersort system through laser spectroscopy, and are sorted using special compressed air nozzles. In this manner both black and dark plastics can be distinctly identified based on their “physical fingerprint” – that is, their optical spectrum – and sorted by type. The company UNISENSOR under its founder and recipient of the German Environmental Prize, Prof. Dr. Gunther Krieg, develops process analysis systems and is a leading technological innovator in many areas with its products worldwide. UNISENSOR has already been successful in establishing laser spectroscopy as a sorting process for the recycling of PET bottles.This innovative recycling process is more energy- and resource-efficient than the manufacture of bottles from new PET and makes a major contribution to climate protection. For each ton of recycled PET, around three tons of greenhouses gases can be prevented.

This project was funded by the Deutsche Bundesstiftung Umwelt (DBU). Read more: https://www.dbu.de/123artikel36761_2430.html