March 26, 2025 – trinamiX, a leading provider of mobile spectroscopic solutions and a subsidiary of BASF, is set to make a splash at the 2025 European Plastics Recycling Show (PRSE) in Amsterdam, Netherlands. At the event, trinamiX will showcase its versatile technology for identifying various types of plastics and textiles, marking a significant step forward in enhancing the recycling process. These solutions are instrumental in designing easily sortable plastic packaging, ensuring quality control of incoming and outgoing materials, promoting cleaner sorting methods, and ultimately boosting recycling efficiency.
According to the Color Masterbatch Industry Network, trinamiX offers a user-friendly solution that swiftly identifies plastics and textiles at the press of a button. The system is equipped with a powerful portable near-infrared (NIR) spectrometer, an application leveraging complex cloud data analysis, and a customer portal for managing results, downloading reports, and exporting data. This solution precisely identifies over 30 different types of plastics, including common consumer plastics like HDPE, LDPE, PP, PET, PS, and PVC, as well as engineering plastics such as PA, ABS, PC, and PLA. It also quantifies mixtures of polyethylene (PE) and polypropylene (PP). In the realm of textile identification, it can detect various fiber materials, including acrylic, cotton, elastane, polyamide (subclasses PA6 and PA66), polyester, polypropylene, silk, viscose, and wool, as well as analyze textiles composed of multiple materials.
To cater to the specific needs of recyclers, trinamiX provides flexible and diverse solutions in various configurations. Users can opt for a compact handheld device for quick checks or a semi-automated setup that seamlessly integrates into sorting tables, enabling automatic triggered scanning for enhanced efficiency.
In terms of hardware product portfolio, trinamiX will unveil its latest mobile NIR spectroscopy solution at the exhibition – the handheld NIR spectrometer trinamiX PAL Two. Designed with ergonomics in mind, this product can be operated with one hand and features a built-in display for direct measurement results, enhancing usability and accessibility for users.
Increasingly stringent regulations, such as the EU’s Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation, impose new requirements on packaging design, the use of recyclable materials in plastic packaging, and the specification of reusable systems. Accurate identification and sorting of materials are crucial for efficient plastic recycling. As the sorting process relies on NIR technology, all materials must be “NIR detectable,” with packaging design significantly influencing this parameter. Features like color, labels, and additives can impact the identification capability of packaging. With trinamiX, brands can assess the impact of these features on NIR detectability early in the design phase. By considering recyclability when designing packaging, manufacturers can not only comply with regulatory requirements but also contribute to sustainability efforts.
Plastics and textiles that are difficult to distinguish, such as multimaterial films, mixtures of PE and PP, as well as compostable plastics and polyamides like PA6 and PA66, pose significant challenges in recycling due to their mixed compositions. While compostable plastics are environmentally friendly, they can complicate the sorting process, especially when they resemble traditional plastics. The sophisticated models of trinamiX’s mobile NIR spectroscopy solution are trained to recognize all these materials, aiding in achieving a closed loop and enhancing recyclability.
Quality management is vital for producing high-quality products in plastic manufacturing and recycling facilities. One of the keys to efficient plastic recycling is sorting mixed plastic waste into pure waste streams, as impurities can affect the quality and integrity of recycled products. From inspecting incoming materials to approving sorted plastic or textile packaging, trinamiX simplifies quality control. The solution also supports non-conformance management and efficient complaint handling, reducing the risk of costly errors and delays. trinamiX not only enables companies to conduct spot checks but also comprehensively records, visualizes, and analyzes incoming and outgoing material flows, creating full transparency for plastic manufacturers and recyclers.