Recycling

Challenge

In the recycling process, waste arrives in sealed bags on a conveyor. Traditionally, operators had to manually locate, cut, and open these bags so their contents could be sorted and processed. This was time-consuming, labor-intensive, and inconsistent, creating bottlenecks in the recycling flow and limiting the overall efficiency of the plant.

Solution

To overcome these challenges, we delivered a vision-based automation system to Nordic Recycling. The system uses advanced cameras and AI to detect bags on the conveyor in real time. Based on the shape, position, and orientation of each bag, the system calculates the optimal way to pick and cut it. This information is then sent directly to the connected industrial robot, which executes the cutting and opening with precision and consistency.

By automating the detection and cutting process, Nordic Recycling is now able to handle high volumes of bags more efficiently, reduce dependency on manual labor, and ensure a steady material flow into the recycling process. The result is higher throughput, improved safety, and a more reliable operation.

Results

• Consistent processing rate maintained regardless of bag shape, orientation, or fill level — variability that caused manual bottlenecks is eliminated
• Reduced manual labor on the bag opening stage, freeing workers for higher-value sorting tasks
• Increased overall plant throughput through uninterrupted material flow into the sorting process