BEST Sorting Launches Spectral Analysis Sorter, Rebrands Recycling Unit

Slidex sorter uses spectral analysis to inspect materials in free fall.

May 21, 2012
Recycling Today Staff
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BEST Sorting,  based in Belgium, launched its new Slidex sorter at IFAT ENTSORGA 2012 in Munich.

The Slidex sorter is a 1,000-millimeter wide (39-inch wide) machine that inspects products in free fall, the company says. According to BEST, the Slidex recognizes different types of material and sorts its into various streams, such as plastics, WEEE (waste electrical and electronic equipment), auto shredder residue (ASR) and others. The machine uses hyperspectral imaging to identify a unique fingerprint for each type of material, forming the basis of the sorting process, BEST explains.

The Slidex’ inspection zone assures capacities up to 4 metric tons per hour. According to BEST, efficiencies rise as high as 98 percent and up (depending on the incoming product), whereas defect loads can go up to 30 percent.

Besides an accurate and high-resolution identification of the different materials, the BEST Slidex is designed to ensure that all other important parameters needed for optimal sorting are taken into account: correct light sources, mechanical control of the product flow by means of a patented chute and free-fall detection and the latest generation of fast ejectors.

The spectrum created for every product is loaded into a database, which is used for different sorting processes. BEST says the database allows an easy setup of the sorter and limited configuration time. The advanced technology measures different spectra, resulting in an optimal sorting process and higher value output streams.

With the new machine BEST also has launched new branding for its recycling business unit. The unit is represented with a lime green and dark green logo that has been adapted to create an individual identity.

“We feel it is important to show that our recycling business unit is a self-operating branch within the BEST family,” says Bert Van der Auwera, CSO and co-founder of BEST Sorting. “We use our years of experience in sorting technologies in other branches, but are actively listening to the needs of the recycling industry to develop sorting solutions that fit the industry’s specific needs.”