At the forefront of recycling innovation, Svensk Plaståtervinning's Site Zero facility in Motala, Sweden, has undergone a significant expansion, incorporating over 60 Tomra Autosort units. The facility, originally established in 2019, celebrated its reopening in late 2022 after a collaborative expansion effort involving Tomra and Sutco RecyclingTechnik GmbH from Germany. The reconfigured plant, expected to process up to 42 metric tons of material per hour, marks a pivotal step in advancing Sweden's recycling capabilities.

Mattias Philipsson, CEO of Svensk Plaståtervinning, emphasizes the investment in facility extension with the goal of closing the loop on plastics and achieving zero waste in Sweden. While 33 percent of plastic packaging in Sweden is currently recycled, there is still considerable potential to recover recyclable materials. Philipsson envisions transforming this potential into a valuable opportunity for both the country and the environment.

Since 2019, the facility has successfully produced four different types of recycled plastics. With the latest technology, Svensk Plaståtervinning aims to accomplish even more. The collaboration with Tomra and Sutco has been instrumental in achieving this goal, with Tomra providing cutting-edge sorting technology to maximize material recovery.

Oliver Lambertz, Vice President at Tomra, expresses excitement about being part of this impactful project from the beginning. Sutco took the lead in building the plant, while Tomra supplied state-of-the-art sorting technology. The result is Site Zero, a testament to the collective effort of three partners working towards the common goal of closing the loop on plastic packaging.

Site Zero is equipped with over 60 Tomra Autosort machines, forming a 5-kilometer-long sorting line with high-throughput technology. The facility generates 12 marketable polymer fractions, including various polyolefins, PET, PS, EPS, PVC, and more. Tomra highlights purity levels of up to 98 percent, with outbound fractions sent to recyclers in the European Union. There are also plans to add reprocessing capacities near Site Zero.

The grand reopening in mid-November drew over 300 guests, showcasing the commitment to advancing recycling in Sweden. Philipsson envisions making Sweden a leader in recycling, emphasizing the quality, flexibility, and reliable service provided by Tomra and Sutco. Together, they aim to make Site Zero a blueprint for sorting facilities across Europe. The collaborative effort represents a significant stride towards sustainable waste management and circular economy practices.