MSS Inc. celebrates 50th anniversary

MSS Inc., a Nashville, Tennessee-based manufacturer of sensor-based sorting technology for the recycling and waste management sector, has marked its 50th anniversary. 

The company, founded in 1973 by Vanderbilt University doctoral graduates Garry Kenny and Edward Sommer, has evolved from a small product line serving specialized metal sorting applications to a well-known provider of near-infrared (NIR), color, metal and artificial intelligence- (AI-) based optical sorting technologies.  

In 1991, MSS introduced BottleSort, which it says revolutionized the sorting of postconsumer plastic containers by type and color. MSS says subsequent generations of the product, such as Binary BottleSort and the advanced NIR sorters marketed under the Cirrus tradename, have showcased the company’s commitment to increased throughput, flexibility and sensor resolution.  

In the area of sorting flexible materials, particularly paper and plastic film, MSS has developed patented air-assist systems for nearly 25 years. The latest generation, the FiberMax, offers high sensor resolution and is joined by the PlasticMax, FilmMax and eMax machines for comprehensive sorting solutions.  

To meet the demands of e-scrap and metal scrap customers, MSS introduced the L-VIS line-scan camera technology in 2010. In 2019, updated second-generation L-VIS units offered quadruple the pixel resolution, according to MSS. The MetalMiner, the third-generation induction-based sorting technology, succeeded earlier technologies like the MetalSort and Elpac. 

Patents have played a significant role in protecting MSS’ core technologies, with recent additions including the PrecisionFlow eject hood in 2019. The curved design eliminates back pressure, ensuring optimal performance, particularly in high-speed optical sorters like the 1,000-feet-per-minute FiberMax, the company says. 

To accommodate growing demand for its technology, in 2015 MSS relocated to a larger manufacturing plant, expanding from 26,000 square feet to 46,000 square feet. Further expansion plans include a move to an even larger facility within the Nashville city limits by 2025. 

Greg Thibado, vice president of MSS, attributes the company’s endurance to its employees. “For 50 years, MSS has been fortunate to have hard-working, dedicated and innovative individuals as the foundation of our success," he says. "As technology and market conditions evolve, our people remain constant, ensuring a bright and prosperous future.”  

MSS says it remains committed to developing cutting-edge sensor-based sorting technology, providing personalized customer service and delivering high-quality products. The recent introduction of AI technology, such as Vivid AI, promises significant growth opportunities for MSS and the recycling sector at large.  

Felix Hottenstein, MSS sales director, emphasizes the company’s dedication to providing automated optical sorting solutions across the recycling and waste management industry, saying, “MSS is proud to offer state-of-the-art optical sorting systems that address current market demands and empower our customers to drive their operations into the future with cost-effective, time-saving technology.” 

MSS operates under the umbrella of San Diego-based CP Group, a global leader in waste diversion solutions and material recovery facility manufacturing.