Transforming Textile Recycling with China’s First Fully Automated Sorting Line

Databeyond Initiates a New Era in Textile Waste Management

In a landmark development for the textile recycling sector, Databeyond Technology has successfully launched China's first fully automated textile waste sorting line at the Zhangjiagang Shanhesheng Environmental Technology facility. This innovative line harnesses the power of artificial intelligence and hyperspectral imaging technology, setting new standards for efficiency and precision in the sorting of disposed garments.

Revolutionizing Textile Waste Sorting

The newly operational sorting line boasts an impressive processing capacity of approximately two tons per hour. It is engineered to expertly separate a diverse range of materials, achieving high purity percentages (over 90%) in polyester, cotton, nylon, and blends such as polyester-spandex and nylon-spandex. This advancement allows the system to identify various attributes of garments, including material composition, color, and style, while determining blend ratios to cater to specific requirements from brand owners.

Historically, sorting around 15 tons of post-consumer textiles within an eight-hour shift necessitated the efforts of more than 30 workers. However, this groundbreaking system achieves the same output with just four employees, significantly reducing labor demands and operational costs.

Ms. Feng, the General Manager of Shanhesheng Environmental Technology, expressed excitement about the collaboration with Databeyond, stating, "We have taken the first step toward the transformation of textile waste recycling. Our vision is to expand sorting capabilities to include ripped garments and factory offcuts, which will allow us to automate the sorting process even further and provide high-value recycled materials to brand owners."

Meeting Market Demand Efficiently

Following the successful commissioning of the sorting line, Shanhesheng has already secured a substantial order of 200 tons of high-purity post-consumer textiles from a leading global apparel brand. Previously, fulfilling such a large order would have involved extensive manual sorting and a considerable workforce. Now, with the advanced sorting line in operation, the same order can be completed with remarkable efficiency using minimal staff support.

"The launch of this project not only serves as a scalable model for sustainable textile waste sorting but also marks a significant milestone for promoting a circular economy within China’s textile industry,” noted Ms. Feng. The project is on course to facilitate a shift from manual sorting processes to more intelligent, industrialized operations, thereby bolstering the global textile industry’s evolutionary journey towards circular growth.

Future Phases of Innovation

The launch of this intelligent textile waste sorting line represents just the first phase of Shanhesheng’s transformative initiative in textile recycling. Plans for the upcoming second phase include enhancing the sorting process for shredded garments and leftover materials from factories, ultimately achieving a fully automated sorting system that can handle the entire supply chain from whole garments to process feedstock. The aim is to provide a consistent source of raw materials tailored for both chemical and biological recycling methods, which will accelerate the industry's transition towards a closed-loop recycling model.

About Databeyond

Founded in 2018, Databeyond Technology has rapidly emerged as a leader in advanced sorting technologies, particularly in the recycling domain. As China's foremost supplier of AI-based optical sorters, the company has amassed a wealth of experience in waste management solutions. Currently, its sorting technologies are in operation across several countries, including China, Japan, South Korea, and Brazil, receiving widespread acclaim from users. Databeyond remains committed to promoting the adoption of cutting-edge sorting technologies worldwide, leveraging its expertise to foster a transformative and intelligent recycling landscape.

For more details, please visit www.databeyond.com.