FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions About Plastic Sorting
Practical information about our industrial toll sorting service: incoming material, colour and polymer separation, samples and delivery requirements.
What type of material does SORTPLAST process?
SORTPLAST works with plastics that have already been shredded and are clean and dry, including materials whose origin and condition mean they do not require washing beforehand.
Our service is for recyclers and businesses that need to separate shredded plastics and plastic flakes by colour, polymer type or a combination of both.
What particle size can you work with?
As a guide, we work with particles approximately 2 mm to 20 mm in size.
The appropriate size range depends on the material and the separation required, so each case must be assessed in advance.
Which polymers can be separated?
We can assess mixtures containing HDPE, PP, ABS and PS. PC, PET and PVC may also be considered, depending on the composition of the mixture and technical feasibility.
Each material must be assessed beforehand to establish whether separation is technically feasible.
Can ABS and PS be separated?
Yes, we can assess ABS and PS separation where the characteristics of the material allow identification using the technology available.
We do not currently offer separation of different polymer types where both materials are black.
Can you separate black plastics by polymer type?
SORTPLAST does not currently offer separation between different black polymers.
For example, we cannot currently separate black ABS from black PS.
Technology for identifying certain black polymers is evolving. SORTPLAST is following its development with a view to adopting it when an industrial solution is technically and economically suitable.
Can black material be separated from other colours?
Yes. The limitation above concerns polymer identification, rather than colour sorting.
Shredded material containing black alongside white, natural or other colours can be assessed for separation of black as a distinct colour fraction.
Which colours can be separated?
Optical sorting can be assessed for colour fractions such as:
- Natural
- White
- Multilayer, including the characteristic grey/white material from certain milk bottles
- Yellow
- Blue
- Green
- Red
- Black
Other visually distinguishable colours, such as brown, grey, turquoise or specific shades, can also be considered.
The number of fractions and the process configuration depend on the actual colour distribution, the material’s characteristics and the separation objectives agreed with the customer.
What is the difference between colour sorting and polymer sorting?
Colour sorting separates particles according to their appearance, colour and shade.
Polymer sorting aims to identify and separate different plastic types within a mixture, such as HDPE, PP, ABS and PS, and, subject to technical feasibility, PC, PET or PVC.
The two processes can be considered separately or in combination.
Does the material need to be washed before delivery?
Material must be washed before delivery if its origin or condition makes washing necessary for it to be processed correctly.
Some materials may not require washing if their source and condition mean they are already sufficiently clean for sorting.
Unwashed material that requires washing will not be fed into the sorting line.
If a big bag of insufficiently clean material is not detected beforehand and enters the process, the customer bears the costs of cleaning and drying the installation as necessary to restore it to a suitable operating condition.
Does SORTPLAST wash or shred the material?
No. SORTPLAST specialises in the advanced sorting of shredded plastics.
We do not currently have a washing line and cannot wash material at our premises.
Material must arrive already shredded, clean and dry. It must also have been washed beforehand where its condition requires this.
Is a trial needed before processing the material?
Normally, yes. Before working with a new material, we request a representative sample to assess its composition and carry out the necessary trials.
As a guide, we normally need approximately 3–4 kg of sample material.
What is toll sorting of plastics?
Toll sorting is a service in which the customer retains ownership of the material.
The customer sends shredded plastics to SORTPLAST for the agreed sorting process. All fractions produced remain the customer’s property.
Does SORTPLAST buy shredded plastics?
SORTPLAST does not currently purchase material.
Our activity is focused on providing toll sorting services for plastics.
Can SORTPLAST work with businesses outside Barcelona?
Yes. We can work with any business that can send us its material for sorting.
The customer is responsible for arranging and paying for transport to our premises and for the return journey.
How can I find out whether my material can be sorted?
Start by telling us about the material, its approximate composition, particle size and the separation you need.
We will normally then request a representative sample of approximately 3–4 kg for technical assessment before considering the industrial process.
Sorting services
Do you have plastic flakes that need to be sorted?
Tell us what material you have and what you need to separate.