New sorting plant in Croatia sets standards for recycling lightweight packaging

The aim of the new plant is to recover recyclable materials from packaging waste more efficiently than ever before and return them to the cycle. Only through precise separation plastics, films and packaging materials can be sorted by type, processed and sustainably reused.

High-tech for the circular economy

After initial pre-sorting by excavators and bag openers, intelligent screening technologies take over the separation process. They recognise materials by colour, shape and properties – and ensure that valuable raw materials such as PE containers, films and packaging are separated in a targeted manner. By dividing the material flows into flat (2D) and cubic (3D) categories, the different recyclable materials can be sorted even more precisely.

A key feature of the plant is the use of state-of-the-art sensor technology: different plastics are identified and separated using high-precision near-infrared sorting machines (NIR). In combination with high-resolution cameras, the NIR sensors recognise materials not only by their colour and shape, but also by their specific material properties.

This intelligent detection technology ensures that even visually similar plastics can be reliably distinguished, thereby increasing the purity of the fractions obtained and significantly enhancing the added value of the recycling process.

Particularly high-quality fractions are additionally sorted manually to ensure maximum purity.

Holistic approach

Even what cannot be recycled is put to good use: the remaining sorting residues are processed into medium-calorific substitute fuel and thus contribute to energy generation. “With this plant, we are setting a new standard for the recycling of lightweight packaging in Croatia. It combines efficiency, resource conservation and sustainability,” explains a spokesperson for Hamburger Recycling.

Expertise with added value

Entsorgungstechnik BAVARIA GmbH contributed its many years of experience in planning and installation. In addition to classic sorting systems for paper, packaging, commercial waste and electronic scrap, the company also develops customised special solutions – for example, for the processing of PET strapping bands or the recycling of coffee capsules.

The new sorting plant in Sveta Helena will lay the foundation for a significantly higher recycling rate – a win for the economy, the environment and society.