Reclaim project launches portable, automated recycling plant

The Reclaim project, led by a consortium of European entities and funded by the European Union’s Horizon 2020 program, says it has developed a low-cost, portable, artificial intelligence- (AI-) powered robotic recycling plant that initially will be deployed in the Greek Islands.

Project participants say the equipment soon will be operating at full capacity and has been developed to address the issue of waste management in remote areas or where material generation temporarily increases, making it difficult to justify large-scale infrastructure development.

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According to the consortium, the Reclaim solution uses multiple robots with different types of pickers to collect and handle various types of material according to its composition. Additionally, AI-powered computer vision can identify material, allowing the robots to maximize sorting effectiveness. Integrated within a portable container, the equipment could significantly enhance local-scale material recovery activities.

The consortium says the portable plants can be deployed anywhere, facilitating material recovery close to the source and increasing recycling opportunities to promote a circular economy for plastics.

Aimplas, the Plastics Technology Centre, based in Spain, has participated in the plant’s launch by ensuring the equipment’s operational requirements were clearly defined, evaluating available technological options in the market to select the most suitable components and leading the monitoring of key performance indicators (KPIs), proposing solutions and adjustments to ensure the established objectives are met.

“Remote islands, hard-to-reach rural areas or regions with limited infrastructure are just some of the scenarios where this equipment can make a significant difference,” says Javier Grau, a researcher in mechanical recycling at Aimplas and a project participant. “Additionally, the equipment also serves as an ideal solution for large-scale events such as festivals, concerts or sports competitions, where massive waste generation in one place requires immediate treatment. It can also complement existing recycling plants in tourist areas that face significant population fluctuations during peak seasons.”

Photo courtesy of Aimplas

Reclaim project participants say the equipment stands out for its compact design, which is integrated into an easily transportable container and allows rapid deployment “almost anywhere.”

“As recycling needs evolve, this portable equipment promises to unlock new possibilities,” Grau says. “For example, it could facilitate marine waste management in port areas, improving material sorting and separation while reducing environmental impact. Another relevant application is its potential to assist existing sorting plants in processing bioplastics, whose presence is increasing. These materials pose a challenge to current recycling streams, but their recovery could have a significant impact in the future.”

The project consortium, funded by the EU’s Horizon 2020 program, consists of three research and technology organizations, two universities, a regional authority, a producer responsibility organization, a robotics company, an innovation management company and an international association.