There is a fundamental need to invest in recycling infrastructure and pioneering sorting technology in order for the UK to keep up with global developments. This drive to invest in infrastructure is driven by supplying manufacturers with quality recyclates to be used as feedstock in new products. TSA2 (Technology for Sorting Automation) technology is exactly this kind of innovative optical sorting technology, used in material recycling facilities (MRFs), that Veolia Environmental Services has patented to help obtain higher quality recyclates.
Markets will not accept anything but the highest standard of material supply
Richard Kirkman, head of technology, Veolia ES
MRFs employ a system of conveyors which carry the recyclables over sorting screens or other sorting mechanisms (e.g. inclined tables, air classifiers) which divide the components of the dry recyclates. These different recyclates pass over magnetic and eddy current separators and may incorporate advanced optical materials recognition equipment which can separate out different types of plastics from the recyclate.
Commercial sustainability
The use of technology such as TSA2 to increase the value of recyclables is important to the commercial sustainability of this type of facility. The quality and volume of recovery of different grades and colours automatically adds value and future proofs the facility. Developed by our research centre based in Paris, we are the first to use this technology in the UK. The mechanical sorting technology can achieve output quality at a reduced cost overnight and allows MRF operators to sort different factions of material using less equipment and people.
For example, TSA2 can sort up to six different plastic grades compared to the conventional two and the beauty is we can change the types of plastics we take, as materials change in our bins. If local authorities start collecting more Tetra Paks, for example, we can simply instruct the equipment to sort Tetra Pak as an additional item making the MRF process more efficient.
TSA2 optical sorting technology extracts and analyses data signals which feed back a control signal in real time depending on the waste that is passing under the sensors. Unlike conventional optical sorting which does not rely on the instantaneous feedback to control its functionality this enhancement means we can tailor our process to short and long-term changes in waste composition.
Flexible
We know that waste compositions will change as culture, lifestyles and packaging change. It is obvious that equipment needs to be flexible to adapt over time to these changes, something which today is critical for local authorities and commercial customers. That is why we will be installing TSA2 in our MRF at our new flagship integrated waste management development in the London Borough of Southwark.
We are keen to remain at the cutting edge of innovative technology. Internationally, Veolia operates in excess of 100 thermal treatment facilities, in excess of 30 mechanical and biological treatment facilities and around 40 MRFs, 10 of which are in the UK. We are currently constructing an energy recovery facility in East Sussex and four in-vessel composting developments, with anaerobic digestion in the pipeline.
In order to stay ahead of the field, MRF, ERF and IVC managers and technical experts meet every few weeks and consolidate and share the information between the operations, as well as cross fertilising this with a central team of researchers and engineers evaluating what is on the market – this ensures we install the optimum treatment equipment at all times as the various technologies develop.
Markets will not accept anything but the highest standard of material supply. State-of-the-art sorting equipment, like TSA2, matched with high-quality recyclates are the key to ensuring this.
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