The Plastics Recycling Show Europe (PRSE) will showcase how artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming plastics recycling at its upcoming exhibition and conference, set to take place at RAI Amsterdam, the Netherlands, on 1-2 April 2025.
The event will feature an AI Innovation Hub, demonstrating advancements in recycling technology, including a swarm robot sorting display and an interactive AI-based recycling data game.
AI innovation hub to highlight key developments
Curated by the editorial team at Sustainable Plastics, the AI Innovation Hub will present the latest applications of AI in plastics recycling. The exhibition will use information boards and video displays to illustrate AI’s role in feedstock and design, collection, processing, and material sourcing.
Companies contributing to the hub include Greyparrot, Tomra, Pellenc ST, WeSort.AI, Sesotec, and Circular.co. With over 500 exhibitors attending the show, many will be demonstrating AI-powered solutions that aim to improve recycling efficiency and reduce environmental impact.
AI has the potential to optimise material selection, enhance product design, and improve collection routes. In recycling facilities, it can refine sorting accuracy, reducing the need for manual labour.
By analysing operational data, AI can help to cut costs, improve recyclate quality, and monitor energy consumption. It also facilitates connections between recyclers and processors through digital platforms that match supply and demand using AI-driven pricing models.
Swarm sorting demonstration to showcase autonomous robots
A key feature of the event will be the Swarm Sorting Demonstration, a collaboration between TU Eindhoven, the National Test Centre Circular Plastics (Netherlands), and Antfarm.
This demonstration, taking place within a 5×5 metre area, will feature four autonomous sorting robots identifying and categorising coloured plastic recycling targets. A video display will provide insights into how swarm sorting technology is expected to develop within mechanical recycling facilities.
Sébastien Willems, co-founder and CEO of Antfarm, stated: “The Swarm Alliance is thrilled to present the Swarm Sorting demonstration, where the championship-winning TU/e football swarm is evolving into a sorting swarm.
Together with our other demonstrations, we are giving PRS Europe visitors a glimpse into the future of autonomous waste sorting.”
Interactive recycling data game to support ai training
PRSE will also see the launch of the Recycling Data Game (RDG), which is designed to support AI training in material identification, segmentation, and categorisation.
Developed as part of the EU-funded Reclaim project, the game will be accessible to visitors via tablets and aims to simulate the plastics sorting process.
Professor Antonios Liapis, associate professor at the University of Malta, explained: “The Recycling Data Game (RDG) is a digital game developed within the EU-funded Reclaim project to engage citizens in our R&D efforts, promote recycling awareness, and support AI development for enhanced material recovery operations.”
PRSE attendees will have the opportunity to explore these AI-driven recycling innovations and gain insights into the future of plastics circularity.
