A breakthrough in the recycling industry has emerged with the unveiling of Wastex, a pioneering company focused on transforming the way garments are sorted in textile recycling centers worldwide. This game-changing innovation was showcased today at ITMA 2023 in Milan, captivating industry professionals and environmental enthusiasts alike.
Wastex, a joint venture between Barcelona-based companies Coleo and Picvisa, combines their expertise in textile manufacturing, recycled fibers, and cutting-edge sorting machines. With a clear mission to accelerate the recycling of textiles, Wastex addresses a crucial bottleneck in the industry by providing both physical and digital infrastructure for accurate and automated garment sorting.
The launch of Wastex comes at a pivotal moment, as the Euratex-led ReHubs project underscores the urgent need for dedicated recycling centers across Europe. With their sights set on establishing between 150-250 recycling centers in the coming years, each with substantial annual capacities ranging from 50,000 to 100,000 tons, Wastex is poised to meet this challenge head-on.
At the heart of Wastex’s groundbreaking technology is the state-of-the-art Ecosort Textil system. This revolutionary system utilizes a powerful combination of NIR (near-infrared) and RGB cameras, along with advanced artificial intelligence, to achieve unparalleled efficiency in textile sorting. With up to 24 distinct outputs, the Ecosort Textil system ensures precise categorization of textiles, enabling the production of high-quality recycled yarn feedstock for the textile manufacturing industry.
Wastex offers a range of automated sorting solutions tailored to different stages of the textile recycling process. From removing contaminants to separating reusable textiles, categorizing materials by composition and color, and preparing materials for recycling, Wastex’s comprehensive solutions streamline the entire recycling value chain.
Crucial to Wastex’s strategy is the Coleo Network, a collaborative platform that empowers partners to access guaranteed sales of recycled materials. The network also provides invaluable support in creating inbound waste material flows and establishing a strategic position within their respective regions. Partners within the Coleo Network gain access to the latest advancements in sorting, recycling, and traceability technologies, along with invaluable insights into best practices.
Wastex’s debut at ITMA 2023 has sent shockwaves through the textile recycling industry. The introduction of their cutting-edge technology promises to propel the sector forward, enabling a significant leap in the recycling capacity of textile waste. By revolutionizing garment sorting and fostering collaboration through the Coleo Network, Wastex paves the way for a sustainable future in which textiles are repurposed, recycled, and upcycled with unprecedented precision and efficiency.
As the world grapples with the urgency of combating climate change and reducing waste, Wastex stands at the forefront of a green revolution, empowering industries to transform textile waste into valuable resources. With their innovative solutions, Wastex is set to redefine the landscape of textile recycling and inspire a wave of change across the globe.