Three machines that separate, open and scan used textile items have been completed within what is designed to become the world's first fully integrated, automated textile sorting system, marking a shift from concept to industrial-scale reality. The machines prove that the most technically demanding stages of automated sorting can now work together in practice, according to the SORTED consortium developing the system.
- A machine called the Singulator separates individual textile items from the incoming stream before sorting begins.
- A robotic bag opener automatically opens plastic bags without damaging the fragile fabrics inside them.
- A high-speed scanning machine analyses each garment using cameras, sensors and artificial intelligence to assess its characteristics.
- Four further machines remain in development before the complete sorting installation can be built and tested.
MILESTONE REACHED: Three prototypes have been completed this week that together demonstrate how some of the most complex stages of the process can be automated successfully. The development marks an important step for the SORTED consortium, which has confirmed that the underlying technologies can now work together in practice. The milestone brings the consortium a step closer to building one complete, integrated sorting installation.
- The Singulator separates individual textile items from the incoming textile stream before any further sorting or processing can begin.
- A robotic bag opener has been completed that automatically opens plastic bags without damaging the fragile fabrics held inside them.
- A high-speed scanning machine analyses each garment using cameras, sensors and artificial intelligence to assess its individual characteristics in detail.
- Of seven major process stages that together form the full installation, three have now been completed, tested and proven to work.
THE ANALYSIS BEHIND IT: The completed scanning machine assesses hundreds of characteristics for every textile item using cameras, sensors and advanced algorithms. It identifies aspects such as fibre composition, quality, brand characteristics and reuse potential, then artificial intelligence determines the optimal route for each item, whether direct reuse, preparation for recycling, or another appropriate destination. Four further machines remain in development before the complete installation can be built.
- A detector still in development will identify contamination such as moisture and waste found inside collection bags before further processing.
- A non-textile separator still in development will remove non-textile materials such as shoes, accessories and duvets from the stream.
- A clothes presenter still in development will position each garment correctly so that it can be analysed accurately and efficiently.
- A pre-processing machine still in development will remove buttons and zippers from garments before the recycling stage can begin.
THE BIGGER PICTURE: Millions of tonnes of textiles are discarded worldwide each year, while demand is increasing for high-quality second-hand products and recycled textile fibres. Effective sorting is essential to unlocking this value, and SORTED aims to maximise the potential of every collected textile item by sorting simultaneously for both reuse and recycling. In doing so, the consortium seeks to accelerate the transition towards a circular textile economy.
- The installation is designed for industrial-scale deployment and is expected to improve sorting efficiency by up to 80 per cent compared with current practices.
- The next phase of the project focuses on developing and integrating the remaining machines into one complete industrial sorting line.
- Operational testing of the full, integrated sorting line will then take place at Sympany's sorting facility in Assen, the Netherlands.
WHAT THEY SAID
Many other innovations solve specific aspects within textile sorting. What makes SORTED unique is that we automate the entire processing and sorting process into one integrated, industrial solution that facilitates both reuse and recycling, bringing a circular textile chain a big step closer… The successful development of these prototypes shows that our vision is technically feasible and that the future of textile sorting can be fundamentally different.
— Charles Graft
Managing Director
Sympany
These components represent some of the most technologically challenging elements of the future installation and provide proof that integrated automation of textile sorting is achievable… This milestone demonstrates that the technologies work together in practice and brings us one step closer to industrial application.
— Lars de Groot
Managing Director
Demcon Industrial Systems
SORTED combines skilled workers, robotics, AI and industrial engineering into one integrated process. This milestone demonstrates that the technologies deliver at an industrial scale. Together we are creating the future of textile sorting.
— Mark Leenheer
Programme Manager (Automated Sorting)
Sympany
