Polytential

Polytential is a startup that has developed AI algorithms which enable advanced sorting capabilities for plastic waste. Sorting post-consumer plastic waste with Polytential’s technology creates secondary raw materials with a quality similar to virgin plastic, without requiring chemical recycling.

Polytential’s Inline Detection Module (IDM) can be implemented in any sensor sorter for plastic flakes, and combines NIR sensors with proprietary AI algorithms. Whereas conventional sensor sorters only sort plastic flakes by colour or polymer type, the IDM makes it possible to sort plastic flakes by material properties or application. For example, the IDM can determine what the viscosity of a plastic flake is (Melt-Flow Index) or whether a piece of plastic stems from a food or a non-food application.

The resulting recycled plastic is more homogeneous and has a higher quality, which therefore allows FMCGs to increase the PCR Plastic content of their packaging. Polytential is actively working on the formation of collaborations with large FMCG and Packaging companies.

The IDM is under development and has TRL 5. The IDM will be sold to machine builders who specialize in the production of sorting systems, where Polytential operates as an OEM. The IDM uses the same physical components (sensors, illumination, computers) as existing alternatives and thus its cost price is comparable. The unrivalled sorting abilities come from the proprietary algorithms, which do not influence the product’s marginal production costs. The commercial launch of the IDM is expected in 2021 Q4.

Polytential’s, Virtual Chemist, a QC device which perform compositional analysis on plastic flakes with a 98.7% accuracy, is already commercially available and uses the same technology as the IDM does.

Polytential has raised €1M in the form of grants, loans and subsidies. The founders still hold 100% of the company’s equity.

A non-proprietary publication on the feasibility of the technology: https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/11/22/6284