TOMRA opens new flake sorting test centre for polyolefins and PET plastics

TOMRA Recycling has officially opened its new flake sorting test centre where the company will develop new applications and solutions in the fields of polyolefins (PO) and polyethylene terephthalate (PET) flake sorting while simultaneously expanding its service offerings.

TOMRA representatives welcomed roughly 100 participants to its exclusive opening event and guided tour of the new flake sorting facility, located next to its office in Parma, Italy. The event was filled with informative presentations and demos highlighting the company's long-term plastics strategy, the purpose and goal of the new facility, and the advantages it offers customers.

Fabrizio Radice, vice president and head of global sales and marketing at TOMRA Recycling, started the exclusive event and gave a detailed explanation of the rationale behind investing in a new test centre.

"We have observed an increasing demand for flake sorting tests and a strong market push for high-quality recycled plastics. This requires the purest material fractions across all plastics applications, and the respective technologies and solutions need to be identified, developed, and optimized. This will happen in our new facility, while closely collaborating with our customers and partners."

Customer collaboration is at the core of the new facility. Customers from around the world can now ship their plastic flakes to Parma. Together with their respective sales contact, the materials are processed by TOMRA's flake sorting machines. Based on the test analysis and results, TOMRA will recommend the most suitable machine, process and sensor configuration for the customer's defined sorting requirements and goals. Customers are provided with an entire business case tailored to their needs before making an investment.

One of the new trends seen in plastics recycling is seen in a discrepancy of input and output qualities. Whereas input materials are expected to come with lower qualities, the required output must feature the highest qualities possible.

Facing and solving these new challenges makes the application of the latest sorting technologies critical. Since the company sees increasing potential in polyolefin recycling, it will further devote its attention and expertise to innovate PO-applications.