Optical Sorters

Mistral_coupe_LD-1 (2)

Optical Sorter Machine

Get a Quote
Optical Sorters

What is an Optical Sorter for Plastic Recycling?

An optical sorter machine is an advanced sensor-based system that automatically identifies and separates different types of plastics based on color, polymer composition, and transparency.


In modern plastic recycling plants, optical sorters ensure high-purity recovery of PET, PE, and PP by removing contaminants, labels, metals, and mixed polymers that compromise material quality.


Through its partnership with Pellenc ST, Arcler integrates advanced optical sorting machines including Mistral+ Connect and Mistral Compact+ into plastic washing and recycling lines, helping industries produce high-quality recyclate for packaging, textiles, and circular economy applications.

Sub Products

Waste Sorting & Plastic Recycling
Waste Sorting & Plastic Recycling
flakes-sorter
Flakes Sorters
SRF (8)

Working Principle of Optical Sorters

Optical sorting machines for plastics use multi-sensor detection and air-jet ejection to achieve precise material separation.
Feeding: Mixed plastic waste (bottles, films, flakes) moves on a conveyor belt.
Detection: Advanced NIR, VIS, and color sensors scan each particle in real-time.
Identification: Algorithms detect material type (PET, HDPE, LDPE, PP, PS) and contaminants.
Ejection: Targeted air jets eject unwanted materials with millisecond precision.

Innovations like FLOW Detection, TopSpeed, and Turbosorter ensure that even black or transparent plastics are accurately detected and separated, improving the purity and yield of recycled polymers.

Applications of Optical Sorters in Plastic Recycling

Optical sorting technology plays a central role in every stage of plastic recovery from collection to reprocessing.
Municipal Solid Waste
PET Bottle Sorting: Separating clear, light blue, and colored bottles for flake production.
legacy-waste
PE/PP Packaging Sorting: Distinguishing HDPE and PP containers from mixed waste streams.
Industrial Waste
Film Sorting: Removing contaminants from LDPE and flexible packaging.
Bulky Waste
Flake Sorting: Purifying washed flakes before extrusion and pelletizing.
Papermill Waste
Recycling Line Integration: Optical sorters installed before and after washing for maximum efficiency.

With precise detection and flexible configurations, Arcler’s integrated optical sorting systems ensure clean polymer streams for high-value recycling.

Technical Specifications

Feature Mistral+ Connect Mistral Compact+
Widths 800–2800 mm 800–2800 mm
Materials PET, PE, PP, PS, films, flakes PET, PE, PP, films
Detection FLOW Detection, NIR/VIS, Color, Profile FLOW Detection, NIR/VIS, Color
Throughput +50% capacity with TopSpeed +50% capacity with TopSpeed
Options Dual Eject, Turbosorter, Multi-channel AI Dual Eject, Modular assembly
Connectivity Smart&Share, OPCUA, Remote access Smart&Share, Remote access
Maintenance Retractable platforms, easy access Pivoting reflectors, modular valves
Cooling System Vortex air cooling Vortex air cooling
SRF (8)

Key Features & Advantages

High Sorting Accuracy: Detects and separates plastics by color, polymer type, and transparency.
Multi-Material Capability: Ideal for PET, HDPE, PP, PS, and LDPE films.
High Throughput: +50% sorting capacity with TopSpeed design.
Advanced Detection: FLOW and Profile Detection improve recognition of black or inert plastics.
Energy Efficient: Optimized air consumption and Vortex cooling system.
Smart Connectivity: Smart&Share enables real-time data monitoring and remote support.
Low Maintenance: Durable components and easy access reduce downtime.
Future-Proof Design: Compatible with upgrades AI, watermarking, and IoT-ready.
Recycling Plant

Ready to Upgrade Your Plastic Sorting Line with Optical Technology?

Arcler integrates world-class optical sorters from Pellenc ST into plastic recycling plants, delivering unmatched precision, performance, and purity for PET, PE, and PP recovery.
Request a Quote

Frequently Asked Questions

Optical Sorters for Plastic Recycling

What is an optical sorter machine in plastic recycling?
It’s an automated system that uses NIR and color sensors to separate plastics by polymer type, color, and contamination.
Which types of plastics can optical sorters process?
How does an optical sorting machine improve plastic recycling efficiency?
What makes FLOW Detection technology important?
Can optical sorters be retrofitted in existing recycling plants?