REDWAVE sorting system identifies and separates textiles by material, colour, and contaminants

Currently, less than 1 percent of new textiles produced globally are recycled into new products. In the EU alone, this accounts for 6.95 million tonnes of textile waste generated annually. The textile recycling sector is at a pivotal moment, driven by ambitious regulations, growing environmental awareness, and technological innovation. BT-Systems, through its REDWAVE Competence Centre and the forward-thinking REDWAVE TEX technology, is playing an active role in forming a better system for the future.

Market developments and regulatory framework

The EU's "Strategy for Sustainable and Circular Textiles" sets ambitious targets: from 2025, the separate collection of textile waste will be mandatory in all member states. Plans are also in place for harmonized Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) regulations, making producers accountable for the entire lifecycle of their products from production to recycling.

These regulations are increasing the demand for advanced sorting technology capable of returning textile waste to high-quality material streams. 

Technology for the circular economy: REDWAVE TEX

REDWAVE TEX is a sensor-based sorting technology that automatically identifies and separates textiles by material type, colour, and contaminants such as buttons, zips, or labels. Its modular design allows flexible adaptation to specific sorting criteria and process requirements, available both as a single module and as a fully integrated system comprising scanners, control cabinets, analysis software, conveyors, discharge units, and valve boxes.

Since its launch at IFAT 2024, REDWAVE TEX has undergone continuous development, both mechanically and in software.

The result is a versatile portfolio designed to meet diverse requirements:

• REDWAVE 2i Solution: High throughput for basic sorting criteria, ideal for shredded textiles.
• REDWAVE TEX System: Simultaneous sorting into multiple target fractions, perfect for whole garments or reuse concepts.
• REDWAVE Analyser: Real-time monitoring and quality control directly on the conveyor belt.

Flexibility and innovation as competitive advantages 

BT-Systems doesn't rely on rigid standards but on flexible, future-oriented solutions. Working closely with users, the company develops tailored sorting systems; for example, integrating customer-specific sensor data into sorting processes.

This approach enables intelligent, data-driven systems that are precise, efficient, and future-proof in terms of regulatory compliance. Through feasibility studies and continuous optimization, BT-Systems delivers practical solutions that meet the increasing demands of the industry.

The modular REDWAVE TEX technology allows for flexible system configurations, from individual components to fully integrated, turnkey solutions. This versatility provides actionable answers to the challenges of textile recycling and secures long-term competitive advantages.