Mechanical properties
The strength and elasticity of regranulate are not abstract parameters from a table. They are the real consequences of every unwanted fragment of polymer that has found its way into the feedstock. A single foreign admixture acts as a weak link in the chain, weakening the entire structure. The result? A bottle that breaks more easily, film that loses its elasticity, or a connector in a system that cannot withstand loads.
Physicochemical properties
Melting point, viscosity and colour purity are the language in which the material tells its story. If even a small amount of PE creeps into PET, differences in melting points cause the mass to lose its homogeneity during processing. The granules do not flow as they should, the colour becomes dull or uneven, and the end product no longer looks like a full-fledged product.
Risk of degradation
Polymers do not forgive mistakes. They degrade chemically faster when contaminated and exposed to inappropriate conditions. Instead of a stable material, a raw material with poorer performance parameters is created, which loses quality with each subsequent processing. Therefore, accurate sorting is not just a preliminary stage, but the foundation on which the entire regranulation process rests. Without the support of precise optical systems, even the best production line is unable to provide material that meets market requirements.
From perception to perfection – the art of sorting
Precision in recycling begins where human vision ends. In Meyer optical sorters, it is no coincidence that distinguishing one polymer from another is done almost flawlessly. Behind it all are systems that combine physics, artificial intelligence and a touch of engineering finesse.
Maglev in action – when air directs the material
Meyer equipment is equipped with Maglev air ejectors that do not touch the material, yet are able to move it with almost surgical precision. Thanks to the levitation design, each air pulse is precisely targeted and immediate. The device reacts in milliseconds. The whole process looks like a well-coordinated dance: thousands of small elements detaching from the stream at the perfect moment, hitting the right channel. What is fascinating about this is not the speed itself, but the way in which the technology bypasses the physical limitations of classic mechanisms. The use of these ejectors allows for a level of precision that traditional springs or latches could only attempt to imitate.
Thinker and Master – Support systems and background data
Behind the scenes, there are also solutions that are not visible at first glance, such as Thinker and Master. The former collects and analyses data, while the latter enables remote operation and sends alerts before a minor problem turns into downtime. It is this intelligent layer of the system that means the operator does not need to be an expert in optics or mechatronics. The machine prompts, reacts and, to a large extent, monitors the quality of the process itself.
Meyer AI Deep Learning – machines that learn to see
Meyer machines no longer rely solely on cameras. They use deep learning systems. In practice, this means that they can recognise and classify fragments of materials based on a huge library of patterns, and can detect differences even at the level of a few pixels. In other words, they see what humans cannot see, and by analysing shape and colour, they are able to eliminate contaminants with a precision that seemed unattainable just a few years ago.
Preparation that determines success
It is worth remembering that even the most sophisticated algorithms and ejectors cannot cope with material that arrives on the conveyor belt in poor condition. That is why the preceding processes of shredding, washing and drying are no less important. Clean, properly fed input material is the foundation on which Meyer technology can show its full potential. Modern optical sorting is therefore not just about cameras. It is a coherent ecosystem, from material preparation, through artificial intelligence, to contactless Maglev ejectors. In this process, each element has one common goal: to obtain regranulate that is so clean that it can confidently replace the original raw material.
From precise sorting to perfect regranulate
n analysis of the impact of optical sorting accuracy clearly shows that precision at the segregation stage is the foundation of regranulate quality. Any inappropriate polymer in the waste stream affects the mechanical, physicochemical and aesthetic properties of the final material, limiting its use in demanding industrial processes.
Meyer sorters, using NIR technologies, intelligent AI support systems and precise Maglev ejectors, enable control at a level unattainable by traditional methods. The result is regranulate that becomes a fully-fledged raw material competitive with the primary material. The conclusions are clear: sorting accuracy is a key technological, economic and environmental investment, the effects of which are visible in the final products.
What does the future hold for recycling?
The future of optical sorting lies in even deeper integration with intelligent industrial systems. The development of machine learning algorithms, the ability to adapt to diverse waste streams and the full automation of monitoring processes open up new possibilities in both laboratories and production facilities.
Further research may enable even higher regranulate purity, better parameter repeatability and faster response to changing feed conditions. In this context, the Meyer Master 4.0 together with the KB plastics analyser can be seen as a preview of the future of sorting. This combination of intelligent material analysis, precise segregation and operator support systems represents a significant step towards modern, fully integrated sorting lines. Such solutions enable further technological development that sets the standard for future waste segregation systems, making them more intelligent, flexible and environmentally friendly.
