Optical sorting. Stable material cycles.

As STF Group, we combine all relevant expertise in-house: plant engineering, material understanding, process control and optical sorting. The sorting solutions from UCY Technologies combine advanced camera technology with AI processing for stable qualities in the material flow.

Discuss a project UCY Technologies
In-house Know-how for recycling systems, sorting processes and material quality
AI Image processing and intelligent classification for variable input streams
Modular Integration into new lines and retrofit scenarios for existing systems

UCY Technologies

Compact sorting platforms for precise separation.

Optical sorting equipment complements STF mechanical engineering wherever material flows must be cleanly separated, qualities secured and downstream recycling processes stabilized.

360-degree studio rendering of the UCY A-series Bottle Sorter

UCY A-series

Belt sorter for PET bottles and bulk materials.

The 360-degree rendering shows the A-series as a compact sorting component with conveying technology, inspection area and system connections. In projects, the platform is configured to the material flow, throughput and target fraction.

360° view Interactive product view Integration into recycling lines

Belt sorter

UCY A-series

The modular sorting platform for bulk materials, PET bottles and demanding waste streams with high throughput requirements.
  • High-Resolution VIS
  • FE/NE metal detection
  • Hyperspectral SWIR
  • Realtime AI processing

Flake Sorter

UCY F-series

For fine plastic fractions and flakes where material, additive and quality differences must be detected precisely.
  • Material detection
  • Additive detection
  • Sub-Millisecond Ejector Arrays
  • AI-assisted classification

Quality Inspection

UCY Q-series

Quality control and process protection with live reporting, alarm output and optical inspection directly in the line.
  • Live Reporting
  • Alarm Output
  • VIS sensor technology
  • SWIR System

Operating model

Sorting as a Service

In addition to conventional projects, UCY sorting technology can be implemented as a full-service lease with remote monitoring, service and predictable operating costs.

Technology basis

What UCY sorters provide in the process.

The product families combine optical detection, sensor technology, software and ejector mechanics into a system that STF integrates into the complete plant.

Detection

Modern camera technology

High-resolution optical systems detect material, color, shape and contaminants directly in the dynamic material flow.

Processing

AI-assisted decisions

Intelligent algorithms process sensor data in real time and precisely separate demanding, variable input qualities.

Integration

System expertise from a single source

STF does not view sorting in isolation, but as part of the complete recycling system: from input and conveying technology through to output quality.

Output

Stable recycling quality

Sorting improves fraction purity, process reliability and the basis for high-quality downstream processing in the plastics cycle.

Technology

Camera technology, sensor systems and AI processing operate as one system.

The UCY A-series Sorting Platform is software-defined and modular. For STF, this means sorting performance can be closely matched to material, plant layout and target quality without treating sorting as a foreign element in the process.

Optical detection Material, color, shape and visible contaminants are captured by camera systems.
AI processing Trained models evaluate the material flow and support precise separation decisions.
Mechanical implementation Pneumatics and conveying technology reliably guide detected fractions into the next process stage.
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Employees operate an optical sorting system for plastic bottles
UCY A-series Sorting Platform for demanding recycling streams

Applications

From mixed waste streams to PET bottle sorting.

The sorting technology is particularly effective where variable input qualities, high throughputs and clear target fractions coincide.

Plastic bottles on conveying equipment in an optical sorting system
PET Bottle Sorting High purity is the basis for high-quality recycling pathways and stable downstream processes.
Mixed waste stream on a conveyor belt in a sorting system
Waste Sorting Robust sorting for heterogeneous input materials and demanding plant environments.
Aerial view of a recycling site with material and process areas
System integration At STF, sorting technology is planned in the context of the entire recycling line.

STF process understanding

Optical sorting is a process step, not a standalone machine.

Good sorting results require more than a machine: material knowledge, mechanical design, software, commissioning and service must work together.

  1. 01

    Analyze material flow

    Input fractions, contaminants, particle sizes, throughput and target qualities are evaluated together.

  2. 02

    Design the sorting solution

    Camera technology, software, pneumatics, conveying technology and the installation situation are planned to match the process.

  3. 03

    Integrate into the system

    Optical sorting is incorporated as a functional process step in new or existing recycling lines.

  4. 04

    Secure quality

    Parameterization, training and service support consistently stable results during ongoing system operation.

In-house expertise

Only STF combines the know-how for the entire recycling process from a single source.

Optical sorting complements the existing plant engineering expertise of STF Group. This creates solutions where process target, sorting logic and mechanical implementation are planned together from the outset.

Plant engineering

From layout to integration

Sorters, conveying technology, platforms, interfaces and process sequence are planned as a connected system.

Technology

Camera, software and mechanics

Modern optical detection and AI processing are matched to the real plant environment.

Material

Quality for the cycle

The objective is a stable fraction that reliably supports downstream washing, processing or extrusion processes.

Start a sorting project

Are you planning a new line or looking to improve existing sorting?

Talk to STF about input material, target quality, plant layout and the appropriate next step.

Contact us View mechanical engineering