Choose your country:
Leadec global
Go to Homepage
EN

Sorted, Not Mixed

Waste separation is one of the biggest challenges in recycling plants. Due to the variety and mixture of different materials, it is often difficult to sort and process the waste efficiently. Automation solutions from Leadec help.

The calculation is simple: the cleaner and more sorted the waste, the easier it is to process and recycle it. This saves energy and, above all, conserves resources. But many people separate their waste incorrectly. And once the waste lies chaotically on the conveyor belt of a recycling plant, it’s too late. That’s when machines have to step in: sorting systems that prepare the waste so that it can be incinerated, for example. Thermal waste treatment offers the possibility of effectively reducing the volume of waste and recovering energy at the same time. Most of the waste generated – from households, for example – is incinerated at temperatures of up to 1,200 °C. The heat generated during incineration produces steam. This in turn drives downstream generators via turbines to produce electricity.
 

Not all waste is created equal

Plastics must not be incinerated. They can be recycled and thus returned to the circular economy. In order to separate this recyclable material from the residual waste in advance, automatic sorting systems are used that specifically sort out plastics. Leadec, together with a German plant manufacturer, is currently designing and implementing the control system for the retrofit of such a sorting system in a large recycling plant.
 

The particular challenge is that the conversion is carried out during ongoing operations, i.e., only short downtimes are possible at the weekend to expand the complex automation system. In addition, since 2021, the waste disposal sector has been covered by the German IT Security Act 2.0, which, among other things, regulates cybersecurity requirements for critical infrastructure. “We have therefore adjusted the plant’s control system so that it now complies with the regulations for critical infrastructure of the German Federal Office for Information Security (BSI),” explains Frank Seifert, Head of Business Development for the Automation & Engineering unit at Leadec. “After all, the plastic waste separation system is essential for waste disposal for several million people in a major German city.”

Laser on, sort out, and into the fire

In order to sort out all recyclables, the waste is first distributed in an even layer on the conveyor belts to enable accurate detection and analysis. Special lasers positioned above the waste create an intense beam of light directed at the surface of the waste. The laser light interacts with the plastic to produce a characteristic spectrum of reflected or scattered light.
 

In real time, the system analyzes this information, compares it with predefined patterns and classifies the scanned materials. If an actuator on the conveyor belt then receives the information that plastic is on the belt, it opens sluices and the part lands in a separate collection container or on another conveyor belt. “In such plants, several thousand tons of waste are processed every day,” Frank Seifert knows, “a malfunction of the plant and, in the worst case, a shutdown would be fatal.” The highest demands are therefore placed on the automation technology to take into account the complexity of the entire treatment process and to perfectly coordinate the work steps.

“Green Factory Solutions” to conserve resources

As part of its “Green Factory Solutions,” Leadec offers, among other things, the automation of such recycling plants. Frank Seifert: “Our contribution lies in the technical know-how, the understanding of process engineering and thus the possibility of converting waste into new feedstock through recycling. This means that no new raw materials have to be mined and only precisely that waste is incinerated which could not be recycled elsewhere. This saves energy and reduces negative impacts on the environment.”


You may also be interested in the following articles:

All
  • Interview
    11/07/2024

    “A Shoebox Worth a Six-Digit Amount”

    Companies within the semiconductor industry place particularly high demands on logistics. In this interview, Gert Brandl, who works in account management for the semiconductor sector at Leadec and is the project manager in charge, explains why the company developed its own track and trace software for a customer and what makes it so special.

  • Interview
    10/22/2024

    “EU Green Deal Readiness – We are ahead of time.”

    In this interview, Markus Bölke, Global Head of Green Factory Solutions, Sustainability & HSE at Leadec gives an insight into how the company has anchored the EU Green Deal in its strategy and how Leadec supports its customers with special services to make their own production more climate-neutral.

  • Two Leadec employees checking the battery on a housing.
    Article
    10/10/2024

    Battery Dismantling For a More Circular Economy

    High-voltage batteries have been repaired at the competence center for batteries in Hoyerswerda since 2022. This is much more cost-effective than a new battery and more sustainable. This expertise can also be used for other services. In focus: battery dismantling.

  • Interview
    10/02/2024

    “Cleanrooms Are Just Beautiful”

    Protective clothing, a sterile environment, and air locks: cleanrooms are a very special working environment. In this interview, Steve Koch, who works at Leadec’s Dresden site, talks about what it’s like to work under extremely strict conditions and what he appreciates about it. 

  • Interview
    09/18/2024

    “Together, we can make a difference!”

    In the interview with Bernard Sextus, Director Operations of Leadec India, you can learn more about how every little contribution to climate protection counts, how data can be used to improve awareness and what Leadec colleagues in India actively do. 

  • Article
    09/03/2024

    Touchpoints of a Green Factory

    With “Green Factory Solutions” (GFS), Leadec offers its customers a green service portfolio along the entire factory life cycle. How does it actually work? Let us step into the shoes of a plant manager, accompany him during a working day, and see the many touchpoints after initiating a GFS project with Leadec.

  • Interview
    08/13/2024

    Five Years of Leadec.os – Driver For Digital Transformation

    Leadec.os has been standardizing and digitizing Leadec’s service processes across systems for 5 years. Michael Schenk, Global Head of Business Applications, looks back and talks about milestones and the impact of the platform on the whole company. 

  • Article
    07/16/2024

    Sustainability Report 2023: “Driving sustainable manufacturing together”

    The new sustainability report is available – and for the first time it is based on the new requirements of the European Sustainability Reporting Standards (ESRS). At the same time, it provides a comprehensive overview of projects and activities relating to sustainability at Leadec.

  • Brochure
    07/12/2024

    Sustainability Report 2023

    As the world’s leading service specialist for the entire life cycle of a factory, Leadec prioritizes ESG principles for a sustainable future. Our target is to lead our industry by example. The sustainability report 2023 was prepared according to the requirements of the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD)/ European Sustainability Reporting Standards (ESRS). 

  • Article
    06/25/2024

    Packaging: Turning Disposable Into Reusable

    Packaging plays a central role in logistics and the supply chain. How can innovative solutions be developed to switch from disposable to reusable packaging? The Leadec team in India has developed flexible reusable containers and an entire supply chain system for this purpose. 

  • Article
    06/13/2024

    Cleanroom Cleaning: 100% Precise

    In the world of microelectronics, where tiny components form the basis of sustainable innovations, precision is everything. Cleanrooms play an indispensable role in this demanding environment. To ensure that everything remains sterile, Leadec teams take care of the cleaning.

  • Interview
    06/10/2024

    “Sustainability and Digitalization Are the Big Issues”

    Leadec has been operating in Hungary for 30 years. Managing Director Ferenc Dákai has been with the company for almost as long. In this interview, he provides an insight into the Hungarian market, talks about current challenges, and draws his own personal conclusions.  

  • Interview
    05/23/2024

    “It's Often About a Higher Level of Automation”

    E-commerce and online retail are booming. More than 160 billion parcels are sent worldwide every year. In this interview, Thomas Leitner, Vice President Global Business Development, explains the role Leadec plays in this and the opportunities this industry offers.

  • Video
    03/12/2024

    How Leadec is Shaping Digitalization

    How are Leadec.os, digitalization, new business models and Leadec's future readiness related? The video on our digital capabilities is all about that! Find out first-hand from colleagues how Leadec is transforming the factory of today and tomorrow with digitally driven service solutions. 

  • A Leadec employee driving with a forklift with a pallet of waste through factory.
    Article
    02/27/2024

    How Digital Waste Tracking is Making the Industry Greener

    Tracking waste and material flows in production facilities is crucial for improving recycling rates. This saves money and increases environmental sustainability. Leadec has gained experience in a comprehensive pilot project at an automotive manufacturer and is now implementing it in regular operation.

  • Video
    12/13/2023

    Leadec Factory Talks – Episode 7: Health & Safety

    What influence do new production methods and technologies, increasing digitalization and incentive systems have on occupational safety? Find out in episode 7 of our Factory Talks.

  • Interview
    11/08/2023

    Hundreds of Thousands of Vehicles in Focus

    Leadec employees ensure that each vehicle arrives at its destination on the factory premises after production as part of "Vehicle Processing". They are supported in this by Leadec's own software Leadec.os. In this interview, Gareth Crawford explains the application and why this development project was a very special one for him. 

  • Article
    11/03/2023

    Project: Sustainability Made Globally

    The “Global Cleanup Week” at Leadec was born out of a small project idea. The aim was to offer employees an opportunity to get actively involved in the area of sustainability. And this happened with great success.

  • Video
    10/25/2023

    Leadec Factory Talks – Episode 6: Waste Management

    Waste management is no longer just about the disposal of waste. It has evolved from just dumping and burning waste to separate collection, sorting, and recycling to the circular economy, which sees waste as a resource.  Find out more in episode 6 of our Factory Talks.

  • Article
    07/18/2023

    Digital Service Processes at REWE with Leadec.os

    This is where the heart of logistics beats faster: At the REWE distribution center in Neu-Isenburg, the retail giant can always keep track of building services maintenance thanks to Leadec.os.

  • Brochure
    07/05/2023

    Sustainability Report 2022

    Since the company’s beginnings more than 60 years ago, Leadec has been a people business. Placing sustainability at the heart of operations, and ensuring this reaches every person and every process, we again took steps and measures in 2022.

  • Video
    06/28/2023

    LARA App

    Have you ever wondered how asset mapping can be made completely digital? For example, with Leadec's self-developed app LARA. In the video, our employees demonstrate how it works. 

  • Interview
    05/10/2023

    “The Future Belongs to Integrated Facility Management"

    Integrated Facility Management (IFM) is more than a trend. It is the next evolutionary step to ensure that facility management in companies is optimized, adding real value. In this interview, Dr. Christoph Jaschinski, responsible for Global Business Development at Leadec, explains why.

  • Article
    05/02/2023

    Rabbits on the Factory Lawn

    It may sound unusual, but factory sites are increasingly being used to create biodiversity. But what does it take to turn a conventional company site into a near-natural one?


Are you interested in our services?

Please send us your request. We would be happy to hear from you.

*mandatory

By sending your request, you confirm that Leadec may collect, store and process the personal data listed above. For detailed information, please refer to our privacy policy.