What can still be improved in terms of technology? How will recycling develop?
The recycling technology – like all technologies - will improve continuously. There are many routes to pursue, focusing on purity, recovery rate, simplifying the process, monitoring material movement, improving identification of the plastic materials, and so on. Modern technologies and new technical developments will help us to improve the sorting process and achieve better results with simpler solutions.
Finding a way to identify the infeed material would help to improve the process. With exact information on what is contained in the infeed material and in which amount, the plant can be adjusted more effectively. Currently we work with material composition data provided by the customers, but it varies depending on the season and the provenance (village or city).
The current trend is towards replacing manual sorting with automation. In these fully automated sorting plants, manpower is dedicated to controlling the process, and maintenance and service work. They can process large amounts of materials, but require a significant investment and are more complex to operate and manage.
In medium-sized sorting plants, semi-automated operation is possible. This means that a quality control cabin at the end of the process ensures the quality of the end product. With optical sorters, drum screens, ballistic separators, screens and other technology we can prepare the material in the best way. The proper distribution of the material into the optical sorter can achieve good quality sorting and identification of the plastic material.
The big question is always about the type of infeed material, its composition and the aim of the sorting process. With this knowledge, it is easier to plan the sorting process.
So the recycling technology can be improved all the time.
How does Stadler compare to other companies in the recycling industry?
Stadler Anlagenbau is one of the leading companies in the recycling industry. We have many years of experience and know-how. Our name has become synonymous with quality, reliability and customer satisfaction. Sorting plants or units from Stadler are installed around the world. Every year we manufacture some 1500 conveyor belts and 60 ballistic separators, and we install around 10 new, large turnkey sorting plants for all types of waste not counting the many modernisations and expansions of existing plants.
Stadler invests around 5% of its turnover in R&D every year. We constantly develop new technologies and processes in order to remain at the top of the recycling chain and lead the market. We focus not only on the development of the plants, looking for the best ways to treat the materials, but also on ensuring that our clients are fully satisfied with the results – this is very important for us, and we work closely with them and remain in close contact over time.
We have built a very good reputation for always delivering on our promises, and we offer an excellent price-performance ratio.
Stadler also has an outstanding assembly team, which is incredibly fast and reliable. This is the biggest difference with our competitors.
And finally, in this sector we don´t act alone; we work with many high-quality partners, which produce the best machines to integrate in our sorting plants. All this enables Stadler to offer the highest purity rates of the output fractions and to build pioneering sorting plants, always bringing new processes to the market.
You are the Sales Manager for the Czech Republic and Poland, what is your opinion about the Central European markets?
These are very important markets. Significant investments will be needed in the coming years in order to meet the requirements of the EU and its climate targets.
As an internationally active company with a wealth of experience, Stadler is pleased to be able to contribute to these efforts.
And what is the specificity of the Polish market?
While Poland will need to invest to meet EU requirements as I mentioned, great efforts have already been made and various sorting plants have been built, especially in the area of municipal solid waste.
Stadler does not have its own subsidiary in Poland, so I serve this market.
