Overview

We need to create a sustainable, recycling-oriented society in order to replace the mass-production, mass-consumption, mass-disposal society of the past. Part of this is the ongoing efforts of recycling businesses around the world.

Imaging technology

Most of the sorting work in recycling relies on the manual tasks of workers, and these require greater efficiency. Sony Semiconductor Solutions Corporation (SSS) offers image sensing technology that contributes to improving the efficiency of recycling businesses.

Recycled plastic

SORPLAS™ is a recycled plastic developed by SSS that can be used effectively as a raw material for molded products, as it is made from reused plastics molded at a processing plant or recovered from the market. It has proved capable of reducing CO2 emissions during production by up to about 80% as compared to virgin flame-retardant polycarbonate resin (based on SSS calculations).

Recycled plastic
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Recycled plastic

Applications

Sorting materials

At some recycling sites, transparent materials are sorted according to material type. While it is difficult to distinguish this with visible light spectrum cameras, ultraviolet (UV) image sensors can achieve this easily because they can visualize differences in material light absorption and UV light transmittance. It is also possible to utilize Short Wavelength Infra-Red(SWIR) for the same purpose. Switch the SWIR light in different SWIR wavelengths to match the target materials, then each image can be captured with an SWIR image sensor in order to be sorted.

Sorting materials

Shape recognition

Shape recognition

Recycled plastic

Plastic, which is a recyclable element, is produced through multiple processes. It begins with the mining of fossil fuel resources (crude petroleum and coal), followed by refining (naphtha), synthesis (monomer), polymerization (polymer), and kneading (plastic). Then, after the molding process (molded goods) and assembly (set product), plastic is made into a variety of products that are sent out into the world.

Recycled plastic1
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Recycled plastic1

In future, SSS intends to further reduce CO2 by taking advantage of the material’s excellent recyclability. The aim is for closed recycling of a set product using SORPLAS as the raw material.

Recycled plastic2

Related Products & Solutions

Related Links

SORPLAS is a trademark of Sony Group Corporation. SORPLAS is an environmentally conscious plastic developed and provided by Sony Semiconductor Solutions Corporation.

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