The company\u2019s XSS Evo 5 technology uses X-Rays to separate different grades of aluminium scrap by density. The difference in how various alloys absorb and reflect the X-Rays allows them to be distinguished from each other, which can then lead to sorting and separation. The XSS Evo 5 allows automatic X-ray calibration and monitoring, which ensures high detection and sorting quality across various input grades.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Mixed aluminium scrap pieces are placed on a vibrating conveyor belt, which passes under the X-Rays and is then sorted into different densities using short bursts of compressed air once identified. The technology also uses two different energy levels to compensate for the thickness of the materials being sorted. This becomes especially important when aluminium pieces have inclusions of other heavy metals attached to them. The high-resolution valve pitch (6.25mm) allows for better separation of finer materials or particles, thus improving the cost-effectiveness of the technology. XSS Evo 5 also features an automatically cleaned scan area, thus reducing manual cleaning work.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
STEINERT\u2019S Plasmax sorting system uses laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) to identify and separate aluminium alloys. In aluminium recycling, this method is considered one of the best options to sort material as it boasts a purity level of around 95 per cent. This technology uses a multi-stage feeder to ensure the conveyor belt is always covered with aluminium scrap.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The mixed aluminium scrap is hit with a laser, and the plasma produced is analysed using artificial intelligence. Then, as the material flows through the conveyor belt, it is dynamically separated into one of three discharge piles at the end using targeted compressed air pressure. This technology can accurately identify various aluminium alloys like 3xxx, 4xxx, 5xxx and 6xxx series. It also uses artificial intelligence and 3D detection to verify and separate objects. Plasmax has an average sorting capacity of about 11 tonnes per hour.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
TOMRA\u2019s Autosort Pulse and GainNext technology<\/mark><\/a><\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nAutosort Pulse by TOMRA is a sorting technology that uses Dynamic LIBS with four different lasers constantly scanning the material on the conveyor belt, with the option for either multiple or single point focus. The technology uses a wide array of sensors to detect various aluminium alloys from mixed scrap, allowing for sorting of painted, coated or dusty scrap as well.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
TOMRA indicates that it can sort 5xxx and 6xxx series alloys with an accuracy of 95 to 97 per cent using Autosort Pulse. Moreover, it does not require the preparation of the mixed aluminium scrap for sorting. Evidently, the resulting material can be packaged into single series alloys packages, which can be directly remelted, preventing downgrading of the package and high return on investment in the machinery. Autosort Pulse has an hourly throughput of 15 tonnes per hour on a 1.2m belt.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
TOMRA\u2019s GainNext technology takes sorting one step further by allowing the user to separate aluminium from multi-stream packages (like aluminium, copper, wood and plastic). It uses artificial intelligence and deep learning models to visually sort and separate materials on a conveyor belt. In some cases, it has been used to separate used beverage cans from multi-stream scrap or other grades of aluminium, like foil and aerosol. It can accurately separate various aluminium alloy grades by removing lower-quality cast grades from a high-value wrought aluminium mixed package. This results in singular alloy packages that have very low silicon content. GainNext offers a high-throughput sorting technology, which can eject up to 2000 objects per minute, depending on the application.<\/p>\n\n\n
\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.alcircle.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Europe-recycling-technology-1-June-22-1024x559.jpg\")
<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\nHycast by Norsk Hydro<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nHydro\u2019s research and development subsidiary Hycast is well known for its technological advancements in aluminium casting. Perhaps the most remarkable is the company\u2019s Low Pressure Casting (LPC) billet technology. Hycast uses a fully automated casting process, with molten aluminium being poured into moulds that are optimised for alloy type. The technology allows for higher homogenisation temperatures, which lead to excellent surface quality and better extrudability for the billets produced using LPC. Hycast uses gas cushioning to achieve high-quality billets. This entails the use of dual graphite rings for optimal gas and oil distribution in the casting process. It lowers operational costs while also reducing the need for manual intervention.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Another novel technology sold by Hycast is the Drain Free Filter for inline melt treatment of molten aluminium from the smelting to casting stage. The technology allows for mechanical removal of inclusions and impurities from the molten metal without any material being retained in the drain filter. It uses ceramic foam filter plates with either a single or double chamber to filter the molten aluminium at higher rates than other ceramic foam filters by ensuring that the filter box is completely drained during the process. The system is fully automated and uses pressure to prime the filter plates during operation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Hydraulic Single Shaft Grinder by For Rec Recycling (Italy)<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nWhile sorting is a very important step to ensure material is not downcycled and exported or landfilled, grinding material into finer particles is also very important to ensure it can be identified properly and sorted. For Rec\u2019s Hydraulic Single Shaft Grinder XH allows for the grinding and processing of light metals, including aluminium scrap. The XH Series uses single rotor grinders to ensure high productivity across various metal classes. The grinder is operated hydraulically and at a low RPM to ensure material is crushed properly and with maximum efficiency. It also allows for programmable automatic reversal of blades and can be configured for thickness and number of teeth in the grinding apparatus. The hydraulic grinder comes in two variants X2000H with 32 plates and X3000H with 46 plates.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Eddy current separators by Cogelme Italy<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nSorting different aluminium alloys is integral to the advancement of aluminium recycling. However, the unsung hero of the industry is the eddy current separator (ECS). Cogelme, a recycling equipment provider from Italy, supplies ECS machines that separate UBCs from other multi-stream scrap. The system boasts a near 100 per cent non-ferrous metal recovery rate and is widely considered the most efficient way of separating aluminium cans from other metals. The technology uses electromagnetic currents to throw or repel non-magnetic metals, like aluminium cans, from other ferrous scrap, thus physically separating or removing the cans from the mixed scrap. A conveyor belt runs various materials like glass, plastic, steel, aluminium and paper, from which only the aluminium scrap is ejected out into a receptacle bin. Since household waste in Europe is largely mixed, it becomes important to use such technology to separate cans from other materials.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
How important are these technologies to the recycling industry?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nWhile Europe generates and collects a lot of scrap, a lot of the mixed aluminium scrap like Zorba is usually exported to Asia since it was not previously sorted domestically. However, as sorting technology improves and starts to become the new norm, more material is being upcycled into single series alloys like 3xxx and 6xxx series. This allows for scrap to be used in a more efficient manner and requires less use of primary aluminium to balance chemistry while producing high-quality secondary ingots. The industry analysis indicates if 1.2 million tonnes of aluminium scrap exports can be saved<\/mark><\/a> by processing them within the domestic market, then the dependence on imported primary aluminium can be reduced by nearly 24 per cent. According to the European Aluminium\u2019s report, Europe has already invested about EUR 700 million to strengthen the recycling activities, a significant part of which has been utilised in the development of latest technologies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\nHycast by Norsk Hydro<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nHydro\u2019s research and development subsidiary Hycast is well known for its technological advancements in aluminium casting. Perhaps the most remarkable is the company\u2019s Low Pressure Casting (LPC) billet technology. Hycast uses a fully automated casting process, with molten aluminium being poured into moulds that are optimised for alloy type. The technology allows for higher homogenisation temperatures, which lead to excellent surface quality and better extrudability for the billets produced using LPC. Hycast uses gas cushioning to achieve high-quality billets. This entails the use of dual graphite rings for optimal gas and oil distribution in the casting process. It lowers operational costs while also reducing the need for manual intervention.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Another novel technology sold by Hycast is the Drain Free Filter for inline melt treatment of molten aluminium from the smelting to casting stage. The technology allows for mechanical removal of inclusions and impurities from the molten metal without any material being retained in the drain filter. It uses ceramic foam filter plates with either a single or double chamber to filter the molten aluminium at higher rates than other ceramic foam filters by ensuring that the filter box is completely drained during the process. The system is fully automated and uses pressure to prime the filter plates during operation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Hydraulic Single Shaft Grinder by For Rec Recycling (Italy)<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nWhile sorting is a very important step to ensure material is not downcycled and exported or landfilled, grinding material into finer particles is also very important to ensure it can be identified properly and sorted. For Rec\u2019s Hydraulic Single Shaft Grinder XH allows for the grinding and processing of light metals, including aluminium scrap. The XH Series uses single rotor grinders to ensure high productivity across various metal classes. The grinder is operated hydraulically and at a low RPM to ensure material is crushed properly and with maximum efficiency. It also allows for programmable automatic reversal of blades and can be configured for thickness and number of teeth in the grinding apparatus. The hydraulic grinder comes in two variants X2000H with 32 plates and X3000H with 46 plates.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Eddy current separators by Cogelme Italy<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nSorting different aluminium alloys is integral to the advancement of aluminium recycling. However, the unsung hero of the industry is the eddy current separator (ECS). Cogelme, a recycling equipment provider from Italy, supplies ECS machines that separate UBCs from other multi-stream scrap. The system boasts a near 100 per cent non-ferrous metal recovery rate and is widely considered the most efficient way of separating aluminium cans from other metals. The technology uses electromagnetic currents to throw or repel non-magnetic metals, like aluminium cans, from other ferrous scrap, thus physically separating or removing the cans from the mixed scrap. A conveyor belt runs various materials like glass, plastic, steel, aluminium and paper, from which only the aluminium scrap is ejected out into a receptacle bin. Since household waste in Europe is largely mixed, it becomes important to use such technology to separate cans from other materials.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
How important are these technologies to the recycling industry?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nWhile Europe generates and collects a lot of scrap, a lot of the mixed aluminium scrap like Zorba is usually exported to Asia since it was not previously sorted domestically. However, as sorting technology improves and starts to become the new norm, more material is being upcycled into single series alloys like 3xxx and 6xxx series. This allows for scrap to be used in a more efficient manner and requires less use of primary aluminium to balance chemistry while producing high-quality secondary ingots. The industry analysis indicates if 1.2 million tonnes of aluminium scrap exports can be saved<\/mark><\/a> by processing them within the domestic market, then the dependence on imported primary aluminium can be reduced by nearly 24 per cent. According to the European Aluminium\u2019s report, Europe has already invested about EUR 700 million to strengthen the recycling activities, a significant part of which has been utilised in the development of latest technologies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
While sorting is a very important step to ensure material is not downcycled and exported or landfilled, grinding material into finer particles is also very important to ensure it can be identified properly and sorted. For Rec\u2019s Hydraulic Single Shaft Grinder XH allows for the grinding and processing of light metals, including aluminium scrap. The XH Series uses single rotor grinders to ensure high productivity across various metal classes. The grinder is operated hydraulically and at a low RPM to ensure material is crushed properly and with maximum efficiency. It also allows for programmable automatic reversal of blades and can be configured for thickness and number of teeth in the grinding apparatus. The hydraulic grinder comes in two variants X2000H with 32 plates and X3000H with 46 plates.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Eddy current separators by Cogelme Italy<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nSorting different aluminium alloys is integral to the advancement of aluminium recycling. However, the unsung hero of the industry is the eddy current separator (ECS). Cogelme, a recycling equipment provider from Italy, supplies ECS machines that separate UBCs from other multi-stream scrap. The system boasts a near 100 per cent non-ferrous metal recovery rate and is widely considered the most efficient way of separating aluminium cans from other metals. The technology uses electromagnetic currents to throw or repel non-magnetic metals, like aluminium cans, from other ferrous scrap, thus physically separating or removing the cans from the mixed scrap. A conveyor belt runs various materials like glass, plastic, steel, aluminium and paper, from which only the aluminium scrap is ejected out into a receptacle bin. Since household waste in Europe is largely mixed, it becomes important to use such technology to separate cans from other materials.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
How important are these technologies to the recycling industry?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nWhile Europe generates and collects a lot of scrap, a lot of the mixed aluminium scrap like Zorba is usually exported to Asia since it was not previously sorted domestically. However, as sorting technology improves and starts to become the new norm, more material is being upcycled into single series alloys like 3xxx and 6xxx series. This allows for scrap to be used in a more efficient manner and requires less use of primary aluminium to balance chemistry while producing high-quality secondary ingots. The industry analysis indicates if 1.2 million tonnes of aluminium scrap exports can be saved<\/mark><\/a> by processing them within the domestic market, then the dependence on imported primary aluminium can be reduced by nearly 24 per cent. According to the European Aluminium\u2019s report, Europe has already invested about EUR 700 million to strengthen the recycling activities, a significant part of which has been utilised in the development of latest technologies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
While Europe generates and collects a lot of scrap, a lot of the mixed aluminium scrap like Zorba is usually exported to Asia since it was not previously sorted domestically. However, as sorting technology improves and starts to become the new norm, more material is being upcycled into single series alloys like 3xxx and 6xxx series. This allows for scrap to be used in a more efficient manner and requires less use of primary aluminium to balance chemistry while producing high-quality secondary ingots. The industry analysis indicates if 1.2 million tonnes of aluminium scrap exports can be saved<\/mark><\/a> by processing them within the domestic market, then the dependence on imported primary aluminium can be reduced by nearly 24 per cent. According to the European Aluminium\u2019s report, Europe has already invested about EUR 700 million to strengthen the recycling activities, a significant part of which has been utilised in the development of latest technologies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n