The Managing Director of RTT Steinert GmbH, Bert Handschick, presented a modern sorting system for use in the joint research focus "Recycling of NFRP products and materials" as part of LaNDER³ on 10.01.19 as part of the "Business meets science" event. Construction of the test stand began on January 23 and it has now been available for use since April.

Near-infrared spectroscopy and hyperspectral imaging form the basis for differentiating between different plastics based on their spectra. The system enables the researchers to realize both closed-loop operation and batch-wise process control. Representative sampling and the variation of process parameters will allow the researchers, together with the company, to find answers to the questions "Can natural fiber-reinforced plastics be detected in the waste stream?", "Is it possible to detect different fibers?" or "What influence do surface coatings have on the sorting result?".

The iTN research institute, headed by Prof. Dr.-Ing. Jürgen Schoenherr, which deals with process development in the field of mechanical processing, among other things, has been working with RTT Steinert GmbH for many years as part of student projects and research projects. The institute is delighted that a new milestone has now been set for the joint future of the recycling industry in Zittau as part of the LaNDER³ research project.