Sortera Innovates Aluminum Recycling Through Advanced Sorting Technology
Recycling aluminum presents a significant opportunity for sustainability, yet only about one-third of the aluminum used in the United States is currently recycled. The primary challenge lies in accurately sorting mixed aluminum scrap, a problem that has persistently hindered the recycling sector.
Michael Siemer, CEO of Sortera, believes his company has pioneered a solution. Sortera has developed an innovative sorting system with over 95% accuracy for separating different grades of aluminum, a breakthrough that could tap into a vast, underutilized recycling resource.
Utilizing cutting-edge technology, including AI, lasers, X-ray fluorescence, and high-speed cameras, Sortera’s system categorizes aluminum chips—about the size of a large potato chip—in mere milliseconds. Siemer explains, “Ten milliseconds is a long time.” Once identified, nozzles release quick bursts of air to redirect the chips into their designated bins. This method is far superior to conventional recycling processes that require melting aluminum before its alloy type can be determined. Misclassified alloys can drastically reduce the value of the scrap, making accurate sorting crucial. “People have been wanting to go after unsorted aluminum, and nobody’s been able to unlock it,” Siemer asserts.
This precision not only enhances Sortera’s operational efficiency but has also positioned the company to achieve profitability. As Siemer points out, “The margin is exponential above 90%,” indicating that sorting accuracy directly correlates with financial gain.
A new Sortera facility is under construction near Nashville, set to begin operations in April or May. This plant will replicate the company’s successful Indiana facility, which Siemer says operates continuously, processing millions of pounds of aluminum monthly.
The scrap aluminum processed by Sortera primarily originates from shredded automobiles. The unique fracturing characteristics of various aluminum grades during shredding serve as visual indicators for the AI system to classify the metal effectively. Siemer explains, “The chemical differences manifest themselves in the shredding,” enabling the technology to achieve remarkably precise classifications. “In about a 10-millisecond time window, you can confidently identify 356 [grade aluminum].”
As Sortera scales up operations, much of its recycled aluminum is anticipated to re-enter automotive assembly lines, where manufacturers are increasingly incorporating aluminum to minimize vehicle weight and boost fuel efficiency. “Every auto OEM on the planet has been to Indiana at least twice,” Siemer notes.
While Sortera is exploring ways to process other metals like copper and titanium, the immediate focus remains on aluminum. Siemer emphasizes the potential: “We could instantly sort the 18 billion tons of aluminum made annually in the U.S. Every piece of that, every pound, would be sold at a profit in the U.S.”
