PARC says that PE and PP, which together account for about 45% of plastic material production, are not distinguishable by eye but can be recognized and sorted by this robotic system.
Trial models of the new system are currently in demonstration tests at two stores in Osaka and Nara. Idec plans to commercialize a smaller version of the plastic sorting system and sell it for about 5 million yen (~$55,000).
The entire project is supported by the Japanese Ministry of Economy, Trade, and Industry. —[email protected]