TrinamiX GmbH, a wholly owned subsidiary of BASF, has developed a new application for its mobile Near-Infrared (NIR) Spectroscopy Solutions related to plastic sorting and recycling. Using trinamiX technology, the diverse compositions of different plastics can now be precisely determined and thus distinguished via the simple use of a portable handheld device that combines trinamiX data analysis with a mobile app. As such, recycling and recyclability are improved, paying off for both the environment and businesses alike.

NIR spectroscopy is a proven technology and used in laboratories around the world – the innovation is the portable format of the spectrometer and the sophisticated data analysis that can now be processed in the field via wireless cloud uploading. Slightly larger than a mobile phone, the spectrometer has nearly universal use cases. “We have packed an established test and analysis method into a handy portable format,” explained Adrian Vogel, Manager Sales and Business Development Spectroscopy Solutions at trinamiX. “Both the product miniaturization and its wireless connection to the cloud make it possible to use NIR spectroscopy anywhere and at any time for precise material identification.”

With the help of trinamiX NIR Spectroscopy Solutions, all common plastics can now be easily identified within seconds. The spectrum ranges from classic polyolefins such as PE, PP and PVC (polyethylene, polypropylene and polyvinyl chloride), to PET (polyethylene terephthalate), which is best known as a material for beverage bottles.