Canon Inc
Started accepting orders for high-precision sorting equipment that can measure even black plastic pieces that are difficult to distinguish between types.Entered into the recycling equipment field and contributed to building a circular economy.
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Canon has launched a new plastic sorting device that uses tracking Raman spectroscopy technology to simultaneously sort black plastic pieces, which are difficult to distinguish, and plastic pieces of other colors with high precision when identifying the type of plastic at recycling sites. will launch on. We will begin accepting orders for the general public on June 6, 2024 for the TR series, which includes the TR-S1510.
[Image 1: https://prtimes.jp/i/13980/1001/resize/d13980-1001-3aa7bc2d095d9bc4211e-0.jpg&s3=13980-1001-ad23312d8a48271dda2e202a42da5198-1499×784.jpg] Plastic sorting device “TR-S1510”
[Image 2: https://prtimes.jp/i/13980/1001/resize/d13980-1001-edb8730bf74cd1c0f356-1.jpg&s3=13980-1001-d9aaa8d9ceeb7b96def711de113ec54d-944×629.jpg] Measurement by following moving black plastic
[Image 3: https://prtimes.jp/i/13980/1001/resize/d13980-1001-483c22e8855e0745ef47-2.jpg&s3=13980-1001-da96108c19691d08ab8d292ece3bf98a-1080×719.jpg] Inside the device
Approximately 20% (*1) of the plastic that is discarded in our daily lives is recycled as material for new products (material recycling), but the rest is burned as fuel or unused. Masu. When recycling, the purity of the plastic is required, so it is necessary to accurately identify the type, such as ABS (*2) or polypropylene (PP). However, black plastic used in household appliances and automobile interiors does not transmit or reflect visible light, making it difficult to distinguish between types using near-infrared spectroscopy (*3), the current method for identifying plastics. In order to accelerate recycling, there is a need for highly accurate sorting of plastic types and improved productivity in the sorting process. The new product uses proprietary tracking Raman spectroscopy technology to achieve high-precision and high-speed simultaneous sorting of plastic pieces, including black ones, contributing to improved productivity at recycling sites. Canon is entering the recycling equipment field with this product, contributing to the creation of a circular economy by maximizing material recycling.
■ Unique tracking-type Raman spectroscopy technology realizes high-precision and high-speed sorting of plastic pieces, including black ones.
Canon’s proprietary tracking Raman spectroscopy technology is used to identify plastics. Generally, when identifying plastics using Raman spectroscopy, laser light is irradiated onto each piece of plastic to obtain molecular information about the substance, making it possible to measure pieces of black plastic. However, since black color scatters less light and takes time to measure, there were issues with the use of Raman spectroscopy at recycling sites where high-speed, large-volume processing is required. This time, we developed a tracking Raman spectroscopy technology that scans laser irradiation (*4) by combining Raman spectroscopy and Canon’s measurement and control equipment, which ensures a measurement time that matches the color of the plastic piece, making it fast and highly efficient. Achieves accurate discrimination. Black plastic pieces, which were difficult to sort using conventional near-infrared spectroscopy methods, can be sorted simultaneously with other plastic pieces, contributing to improved productivity at recycling sites and maximizing material recycling.
■ Supports customization according to processing volume
The new product can sort up to 1t/hour while maintaining a conveyance speed of 1.5m/sec. By changing the combination of modules and belt conveyors that track and measure plastic pieces, we can customize the equipment to suit the customer’s processing volume and installation space.
*1. Refer to “Status of Production, Disposal, Recycling, and Processing and Disposal of Plastic Products in 2022”