Automated line for sorting 3D plastic waste - PET bottles
This automatic separating line is used to treat waste material kept in “yellow bins”, i.e. PET bottles, aluminum and iron cans. It is designed for a capacity of 1,200 kg/hour.
At first, the ferromagnetic cans are sorted by means of an overband magnet suspended above a belt conveyor. Aluminum cans are separated from PET bottles by an eddy current separator ECS-C RAM (the uniform layer of the material entering the eddy current separator is ensured by a vibrating feeder).
The final sorting of aluminum cans is performed using metal detectors. METRON 03 SL plate metal detector is equipped with an auto rejection diversion flap that automatically rejects the detected metal contaminants.
In the end the PET bottles are sorted by color by a NIR / VIS spectrophotometer.
The individual types of the sorted materials are pressed.
- The separation line capacity: 1.2 tons/hour
- Guaranteed separation efficiency: 95 %.
Output
The treated waste is sorted into the following material fractions:
- 3D PET bottles - PET bottles are sorted by color
- Aluminum cans
- Iron cans
The sorting line consists of the following equipment:
- Conveying systems
- DND-AC overband magnet (with automatic cleaning)
- Vibrating feeder
- Non-ferrous metal separator - ECS-C 1500 RAM eddy current separator with a concentric rare earth rotor – for conveyor belts of 1,500 mm width
- Plate metal detector METRON 03 SL 400 - including automated reject flap
- METRON 05 D tunnel metal detector
- NIR / VIS spectrophotometer
- Press
- Steel construction
- PLC controlled system
This line sorts waste from yellow bins — PET bottles, aluminium and steel cans — at a capacity of 1,200 kg/h and is designed for facilities with lower material volumes. Compared to a line with a capacity of 1,500 kg/h, it additionally includes a two-stage quality control of the aluminium fraction using metal detectors; for higher capacities or for input mixes containing organics, paper, and light fraction, we recommend other lines from our range.
The line is designed for a capacity of 1,200 kg of material per hour. The guaranteed separation efficiency is 95%.
Ferromagnetic steel cans are first captured by the DND-AC magnetic plate with automatic cleaning, positioned above the conveyor belt. A vibrating conveyor then evenly distributes the material just before entry into the eddy current separator — even layer distribution is essential for correct aluminium separation.
Aluminium cans are separated from PET bottles by the ECS–C 1500 RAM eddy current separator with a centrically mounted rotor for a belt width of 1,500 mm. The ECS separator operates on the principle of eddy currents, which eject non-magnetic metals from the plastic stream.
The METRON 03 SL 400 plate metal detector with an automatic rejection flap and the METRON 05 D tunnel metal detector form a two-stage quality control of the aluminium fraction after ECS separation. They capture all residual metal contaminants and ensure maximum purity of the output aluminium fraction.
In the final stage, PET bottles are sorted using a NIR/VIS spectrophotometer, which identifies the material composition and colour of each bottle and directs it to the appropriate fraction. The output consists of 3D PET bottles sorted by colour, ready for direct sale as a secondary raw material; individual output fractions are baled.
We design and manufacture every sorting line to order, based on the specific type of material, its granulometry, and the required capacity. We also supply lines for sorting municipal waste, plastic waste, glass, and other materials — we always tailor the equipment configuration to the specific application.
The delivery covers the entire process — from site survey, design, and custom manufacturing through assembly, commissioning, and operator training to authorised service for the entire lifetime of the equipment. We provide a warranty of up to 10 years on magnetic components; before ordering, we offer free testing of your material with a guaranteed turnaround of three days.