PICVISA launches metals vertical and presents latest sorting innovations at IFAT 2026

PICVISA launches metals vertical and presents latest sorting innovations at IFAT 2026
At IFAT 2026, PICVISA presents its most significant development cycle to date: advances in plastic, glass and textile sorting, the launch of a full metals vertical, and a 360° immersive experience of three real client plants.

PICVISA, the Barcelona-based specialist in AI-powered optical sorting for the recycling industry, will exhibit at IFAT 2026 in Munich from 12 to 16 May at Hall B6, Booth 301.

Black plastics: a sorting problem with a new answer 

Conventional NIR systems cannot identify black plastics: carbon black pigments absorb infrared light, eliminating the spectral signal required for polymer classification. PICVISA has developed a sorting approach combining mid-wave infrared (MWIR) hyperspectral imaging with AI and sensor fusion, enabling classification of PE, PP, PS, PC and a range of engineering plastics regardless of surface pigmentation. Combined with X-ray fluorescence, the system also detects brominated flame retardants — a key compliance requirement for WEEE processors.

ECOGLASS: less energy, higher purity

A new pulsed lighting technology reduces energy consumption in the ECOGLASS optical system by up to 40%, while delivering higher light intensity and improved AI-based detection of ceramics, stones, porcelain and dark glass fractions.

Textile sorting at industrial scale 

PICVISA and Girbau have delivered a fully automated post-consumer textile sorting line for a client in Northern Europe — one of the first in Europe to integrate automated feeding with advanced optical sorting in a single continuous process. PICVISA’s ECOSORT technology now has ten installations across Europe.

Metals vertical: three technology lines, one partner 

IFAT 2026 marks the formal launch of PICVISA’s metals vertical. The offering is built around three complementary lines: optical sorting for cable granulates and non-ferrous metals through Eldan Sorting (SPS and MPS systems developed exclusively for Eldan Recycling); magnetic separation for ferrous extraction, eddy-current non-ferrous recovery and stainless steel separation through Regulator Cetrisa, following its acquisition by PICVISA; and real-time alloy identification via Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS) through Austin AI, of which PICVISA is the official distributor in its target markets.

PICVISA LIVE PLANTS — Sort & See, visitors can step inside three real PICVISA client installations using 360° immersive technology: Revimon (glass, ECOGLASS), Ca Na Putxa (plastic, ECOPACK) and Sposito reware  (textile, ECOSORT).

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PICVISA is an innovative technology-based company that offers solutions based on robotics, artificial intelligence and machine vision to the national and international markets. We design, develop and produce selection and classification equipment for valuable materials. Our equipment can select...

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