Page 61 - Plastics News May 2024

TECHNOLOGY NEWS

Metaspectral will test the accuracy of uses hyperspectral imaging and AI to by 2030. The investment supports
its models in identifying various films. unmix those signals … determining the development and installation of
different materials in a stack and ex- technology for automating separa-
AMGUN / ISTOCK / GETTY IMAGES tracting more information from a weak tion of homopolymer high-density
PLUS VIA GETTY IMAGES signal.” polyethylene (HDPE) containers from
copolymer-HDPA containers. The goal
Historically, the challenges inherent Technology has industry, govern-
in sorting plastic-film waste have re- is greater than 90% sorting accuracy.
sulted in landfill and incineration of ment support. Homopolymer HDPE is used to make
the materials rather than recycling. Or, A leading Canadian recycler, Merlin milk jugs. In contrast, copolymer
waste films have been baled together, Plastics, already uses Metaspectral’s HDPA containers are typically used for
causing contamination that reduces technology for sorting consumer detergents and automotive oil.
the recycled materials’ market value. recyclables. In Merlin’s system, ro- Metaspectral’s ability to separate co-
botic equipment automatically picks
Films are “often particularly challeng- polymer HDPE from homopolymer
ing” to recycle for two key reasons, selected items off the conveyor belt. HDPE again addresses contamination
Doumet explains. First, many films are Metaspectral’s hyperspectral cameras and the subsequent problem of re-
transparent, so the film and whatever are installed above Merlin’s conveyors. duced value for the recycled plastics
is beneath the film both reflect back Additionally, in 2023 Metaspectral re- — a common occurrence with con-
into the sensor. Second, films are thin, ceived CAD$419,226/$305,090 from ventional human and computer-vision
so “the reflection of the light from the the CleanBC Plastics Action Fund. sorting systems that cannot differenti-
material is very weak, which impedes CleanBC is a British Columbia gov- ate between copolymer and homopoly-
the material identification.” ernment initiative that aims to lower mer HDPE.
He adds, “Metaspectral's approach climate-changing emissions by 40% Source – Plastic Today

Get Ready to Be Blown Away With New Extrusion Technology

ith a staggering lineup of of exhibitors, it comes as no shock Our editors have compiled the newest
more than 2,000 participat- that the NPE show floor serves as the technology in extrusion being show-
ing exhibitors, NPE: The ultimate destination for discovering cased on the show floor:
Plastics Show stands as the cutting-edge plastic processing tech- • Guill Tool has new, simplified de-
premier plastics trade exhibition in the nology. signs for its cam lock feature and
Americas. Given the sheer magnitude

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