Equipment manufacturers are accelerating the development of optical sorting systems designed specifically for contaminated plastic films—one of the most challenging fractions in waste streams. The new solutions promise higher yields and more consistent recyclable output.

According to information published by K-Online, next-generation systems combine advanced sensors (NIR, hyperspectral), data-processing algorithms and contaminant recognition technologies to improve the separation of heavily soiled PE and PP films.
Key technological objectives include:
increasing sorting efficiency for post-consumer films;
reducing losses of recyclable material;
delivering cleaner fractions suitable for mechanical recycling.
These solutions are considered essential for meeting European recycling targets for flexible packaging and for improving the economic viability of existing recycling facilities, especially as quality requirements for recycled materials continue to tighten.