Innov-X Systems, Steinert Partner to Advance “Meatball” Extraction Technology

Innov-X Systems and Steinert have entered into an OEM agreement to market a new high speed, x-ray fluorescence-based (XRF) sorting system that will identify and remove copper containing material, such as “meatballs,” from ferrous scrap.

In a press release, Innov-X notes that “Our XRF expertise, combined with Steinert’s extensive experience in metal sorting, material handling and diversion (sorting), allows us to bring this much needed technology to market in a time-frame that we could not achieve on our own.”

The new sorting system will feature Innov-X’s X-Stream technology – a high speed X-ray fluorescence sensor unit capable of elemental analysis in milli-second time scales, engineered into an industrial grade full system that is part of other Steinert sorting systems. According to the two companies, the partnership will result in an industrial grade system that sorts metals on the basis of chemical composition to identify and extract specific contaminants.

Besides offering a solution for copper “meatballs,” Steinert will produce and offer a system marketed to a multitude of non-ferrous metal recycling applications.

Under the agreement, Steinert will manufacture the equipment, as well as provide sales and marketing support for the new metal sorter.

“This is exciting news for the metal recycling industry,” says Don Sackett, CEO of Innov-X Systems. “Our XRF expertise, combined with Steinert’s extensive experience in metal sorting, material handling and diversion (sorting), allows us to bring this much needed technology to market in a time-frame that we could not achieve on our own.”

Franz Heiringhoff, CEO of Steinert Group, says, “We are excited with the opportunity to work with Innov-X. This cooperation represents an effective solution to the problem of copper in ferrous scrap and will be the answer to current and new market demands, not only in metal scrap recycling, but also in areas like plastic and wood recycling in the near future. The new sorting system will truly take metal sorting to the next level and will show big advantages to a huge range of customers. Our sales organizations worldwide are excited to start offering the new system.”