Picvisa, Girbau to launch textile sorting plant in Europe

Picvisa, a Barcelona, Spain-based company that specializes in artificial intelligence- (AI-) based optical sorting technologies for the reuse and recycling of materials, and Girbau, an international industrial group, have announced a collaboration designed to advance the full automation of postconsumer textile sorting lines. 

As part of this collaboration, the companies are launching a new plant in northern Europe that integrates Sortech, Girbau’s automated feeding and separation system, with Ecosort, Picvisa’s textile sorting technology, into a continuous and fully automated line.

Sortech is a solution designed to automate the separation and classification of garments in high-volume industrial environments. Developed to prioritize safety, operational efficiency and improved working conditions, Girbau says Sortech eliminates repetitive manual tasks while ensuring a steady and controlled garment flow.

In this project, Sortech technology is adapted to the specific requirements of postconsumer textile sorting for reuse and recycling, where growing volumes demand robust and scalable industrial processes.

Picvisa’s Ecosort technology identifies and classifies used garments by textile composition, color and type, generating homogeneous added fractions for both second-hand markets and textile recycling processes.

The companies say the integration of Ecosort with an automated feeding system like Sortech enhances process stability, increases line productivity and enables precise and consistent sorting.

This plant positions itself as one of the first in Europe to fully integrate automated feeding and advanced optical sorting for postconsumer textile treatment, marking a key step toward the industrialization of the textile circular economy.

With this new installation, Picvisa’s Ecosort technology reaches its eighth installation in Europe, strengthening its presence in industrial-scale postconsumer textile sorting plants. The project also represents Picvisa’s second turnkey textile sorting plant in Europe. 

“Applying our expertise to textile recycling is a natural step and a global opportunity for Girbau, aligned with our purpose of generating a positive impact on people and the planet,” Girbau Director Fernando Argiró says. "Doing so through Sortech adds further value, as it is a solution developed together with a client that can now benefit many more plants and markets.” 

The companies believe that this model can be replicated globally, driven by regulatory developments, reuse and recycling targets and the need to improve efficiency and sustainability in textile sorting facilities.