For recyclers processing large volumes of cullet, sorting speed and capacity are critical, but equally important is low rejection, minimizing the good glass rejected along with the impurities. A high-speed, high-capacity glass color sorter with low rejection sorts cullet by color at maximum yield: it processes large volumes quickly, separates the colors precisely and minimizes the loss of good glass, maximizing the quantity of recovered cullet.
A glass color sorter with low rejection is the choice of high-volume cullet recyclers who want both speed and yield. The advanced optical technology sorts cullet by color at high speed, with minimal rejection of good glass, which maximizes the value recovered from each ton of cullet processed. See the full range of recycling equipment and the solutions for glass recycling.
Key Advantages for a Glass Cullet Color Sorter
• High speed and capacity, a glass color sorter processes large volumes of cullet quickly.
• Low rejection, minimizes the good glass rejected, maximizing the quantity of recovered cullet.
• Precise color sorting, cameras and sensors detect the color with high precision.
• Maximum yield, the combination of speed + low rejection maximizes the value recovered.
• Removal of impurities, detects and separates ceramics, stones and optically detectable impurities.
• Cullet recycling processing, optimized for glass cullet recycling.
• Optical and pneumatic system, coordinated for precise sorting at high speed.
• Scalable, capacity is sized to large cullet volumes.
Technical Specifications, Glass Color Sorter
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Feedstock | Glass cullet for color sorting |
| Key features | High speed, high capacity, low rejection |
| Principle | Optical sorting with cameras and sensors |
| Colors separated | Clear, green, brown (and other shades) |
| Detection | High-resolution optical cameras, color sensors |
| Ejection | Precise pneumatic system, minimal rejection of good glass |
| Impurities removed | Ceramics, stones, porcelain, detectable impurities |
| Control | Automatic optical and pneumatic system |
| Components | CE marked where applicable |
Applications for Optical Color Sorting of Cullet
A glass color sorter serves high-volume cullet recyclers, industrial glass processing centers and plants that produce sorted cullet for glassworks at scale. At large volumes, the combination of high speed and low rejection is the decisive economic factor: speed allows the volumes to be processed, and low rejection maximizes the quantity of cullet recovered from each ton.
Optical color sorting of cullet is a key component of quality recycling, encouraged at European level; a glass color sorter delivered in Europe is designed in line with the requirements of Directive 2008/98/EC on waste. For complete glass recycling solutions, see also the complete industry solutions.
The importance of low rejection in a glass color sorter is economic: with each ejection, there is a risk that good glass is rejected along with the impurities or unwanted colors. A system with low rejection, through precise ejection, minimizes this loss of good glass. At large volumes, even a small reduction in the rejection of good glass represents a significant quantity of additional recovered cullet.
The high speed and capacity of a glass color sorter allow the processing of industrial volumes: high-resolution cameras and fast image processing allow a large flow of cullet to be sorted in real time. For recyclers with large cullet volumes, this fast processing capacity is essential to keep pace with the material flow, without sorting becoming a bottleneck.
The color sorting precision of a glass color sorter ensures quality segmented cullet: the cameras detect color shades with precision, separating the cullet into pure color fractions (clear, green, brown). This precision produces quality sorted cullet, sellable at higher prices to glassworks that produce glass of specific colors and demand rigorously segmented cullet.
The removal of impurities, in addition to color sorting, is an integrated function of a glass color sorter: the optical technology detects and separates the ceramics, stones and porcelain that differ optically from glass. These impurities are particularly problematic in cullet (defects on remelting), and their optical removal, simultaneous with color sorting, produces clean and segmented cullet of higher quality.
Performance Features
| Feature | Benefit |
|---|---|
| High speed | Processing of industrial cullet volumes |
| High capacity | Keeps pace with the material flow |
| Low rejection | Minimizes the loss of good glass |
| Color precision | Quality segmented cullet |
| Impurity removal | Clean cullet, free of ceramics/stones |
How It Works
1. The cullet is fed onto the high-speed conveyor belt.
2. The optical cameras rapidly scan each fragment, determining the color.
3. The system detects the color and the impurities with precision.
4. The precise pneumatic nozzles eject with low rejection of good glass.
5. The cullet is separated into color fractions; the impurities are removed.
6. The quality sorted cullet is collected at maximum yield.
The optical and pneumatic system coordinates the high-speed sorting with low rejection. A properly calibrated glass color sorter produces quality color-sorted cullet, at high speed and at maximum yield, minimizing the loss of good glass from each ton processed.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does low rejection mean and why does it matter?
Low rejection means minimizing the good glass rejected along with the impurities or unwanted colors. With each ejection, there is a risk of rejecting good glass. A glass color sorter with low rejection, through precise ejection, maximizes the quantity of cullet recovered from each ton processed.
What sorting capacity does it have?
A glass color sorter is designed for high speed and capacity, suitable for industrial cullet volumes. The exact capacity is configured according to the belt width and the number of optical channels. The capacity is set according to the volume of cullet processed and the sorting requirements.
Does it also separate impurities, not just colors?
Yes. Besides color sorting, a glass color sorter also detects and separates the ceramics, stones and porcelain that differ optically from glass. These impurities are problematic in cullet (defects on remelting), and their optical removal, simultaneous with color sorting, produces clean and segmented cullet.
Is the delivered equipment new?
Yes. We deliver new, unused equipment, built to order, not reconditioned units. The build uses components from established suppliers, CE marked where applicable, and every sorter undergoes a full inspection before shipment. You receive the technical documentation and operating manuals in your language.
What makes URSTAG a premium brand?
European design, top-tier components and experience. Every machine is designed by our engineering teams in Europe and built from components by industry leaders such as Siemens, Schneider Electric, ABB, WEG, SEW-Eurodrive, NORD Drivesystems and Bonfiglioli. The result is reliable, energy-efficient and durable equipment, backed by over 15 years of experience and by delivery, installation, training and service included.
How long do installation and commissioning take?
Transport, commissioning and operator training are included and carried out by a local team, in your language. Before shipment, the sorter undergoes a full inspection and calibration, so your unit becomes operational quickly, with no hidden installation costs.
Is it suitable for high-volume cullet recycling?
Yes. A glass color sorter is optimized precisely for high-volume cullet recycling: the high speed and capacity allow industrial volumes to be processed, and the low rejection maximizes the yield. For high-volume cullet recyclers, this combination is ideal for efficiency and maximum recovery.
Why URSTAG?
URSTAG is a premium brand of recycling equipment, with over 15 years of experience. You don't just get a machine, you get a solution engineered by specialists, built from top-tier components and backed by a team that supports you from design through commissioning.
• European engineering, every machine and every complete line is designed by our engineering teams in Europe, with a focus on reliability, safety and energy efficiency.
• Premium components, we build on motors and automation from industry leaders: Siemens, Schneider Electric, ABB, WEG, SEW-Eurodrive, NORD Drivesystems and Bonfiglioli.
• Over 15 years of experience, we know how materials and machines behave in real-world operation, and we configure each solution for your flow and volume.
• New equipment, configured for you, we supply new units, made to order for your application, with complete technical documentation.
• Delivery, installation and training included, we handle transport, commissioning and operator training, with support throughout the equipment's life.
As a premium brand, URSTAG relies on European engineering, top-tier components and experience. You choose a partner that supports your production long term, with equipment built to run reliably in demanding industrial environments.
