Spross AG has reinvested into ZenRobotics robot technologies to recover more valuable materials at their Spross Recyclingwerk Zurich RWZ site. The facility processes 180,000 tonnes of construction waste and bulky household waste annually. Spross recycles waste by sorting it and sending it to different recovery facilities in Switzerland where the waste can be reused.
Spross began its cooperation with ZenRobotics back in 2019 with an aim to increase the efficiency of their waste recycling. The waste operator has now decided to invest more into ZenRobotics' technology. Spross will double the amount of robot arms at their RWZ facility in 2022 to have more materials sorted at up to 4000 picks per hour - allowing them to earn more from valuable fractions or reduce the cost of elimination. So far, the robots have been recovering mainly concrete and stone for concrete production, and also wood and plastics as well as some metals.
"We are working 13 metres above ground and what amazed me was that these robots work perfectly in these difficult surroundings. This environment is dusty, it is not heated and the ground vibrates all the time," said Josef Binzegger, manager of disposal services at Spross Grouppe.
The waste sorting robot can sort up to four different types of fractions and can be programmed to detect new sorts of waste simply by running the waste through it and telling the robot that this item needs to be collected.
"If you know how to use an iPhone, you also know how to use this robot with no difficulties," said Binzegger.