The recycling industry and circular economy are currently facing significant challenges, particularly when it comes to sorting plastics. High-quality plastic recycling requires sorting that is as pure and clean as possible in order to achieve high added value. Many conventional sorting plants are unable to effectively detect and separate certain materials, such as black plastics. This results in a large amount of plastic waste that cannot be recycled. It is therefore necessary to look at innovative sorting technologies in order to increase the quality of recyclates right from the start of the process.

Insights into improving plastic sorting

On this topic, the Fraunhofer Cluster of Excellence Circular Plastics Economy CCPE, in cooperation with the Fraunhofer lighthouse project “Waste4Future,” invites all interested parties to its online seminar “Innovative Sorting Technologies – Accelerators for Advanced Recycling.” Taking place on October 2, 2025, from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. in English, the event will offer valuable insights into new approaches for improving the sorting of plastics, which is crucial for recycling.

Prof. Dr. Andrea Büttner, member of the Board of Management and Director of the Fraunhofer IVV, will moderate the event. She emphasizes: "The circular economy for plastics means creating value from waste by finding the optimal way to recycle plastics. This is precisely what creates security for us in terms of supply, even in situations where this may be threatened – sometimes situations that we cannot even imagine or foresee today. Innovative sorting technologies are therefore essential for identifying known and as yet unknown risks at an early stage, significantly increasing the recycling rate of plastics, and promoting the circular economy. Only through continuous research and development can we overcome the challenges facing the industry."

Speakers include Prof. Dr. Maik Feldmann from Fraunhofer IMWS, who will introduce participants to the “Waste4Future” project. This collaboration between several Fraunhofer Institutes aims, among other things, to use agile evaluation methods and sensor technology to recycle waste streams in a more targeted manner, reduce thermal recycling, and recover valuable resources with attractive property profiles for the highest possible quality use on an industrial scale.

One focus of the event will be the discussion of new sorting technologies for black plastics, which often pose a particular challenge. Innovative technologies can help to identify and separate these materials more efficiently.

Another important topic of the seminar is the importance of pre-treatment for advanced recycling technologies. Here, it will be explained how targeted pre-treatment can increase the quality of recycled materials and thus improve their marketing opportunities.

In the subsequent panel discussion, participants will have the opportunity to exchange ideas directly with the experts and ask questions. Topics such as the challenges of plastic sorting, the role of innovation in the recycling process, and the future development of the circular economy will be discussed.