BASF unveils new Application for trinamiX Near-IR Spectroscopy Solutions

trinamiX GmbH, a wholly owned subsidiary of BASF, has developed a new application for its mobile Near-Infrared (NIR) Spectroscopy Solutions related to plastic sorting and recycling. Using trinamiX technology, the diverse compositions of different plastics can now be precisely determined and thus distinguished via the simple use of a portable handheld device that combines trinamiX data analysis with a mobile app. As such, recycling and recyclability are improved, paying off for both the environment and businesses alike.

NIR spectroscopy is a proven technology and used in laboratories around the world – the innovation is the portable format of the spectrometer and the sophisticated data analysis that can now be processed in the field via wireless cloud uploading. Slightly larger than a mobile phone, the spectrometer has nearly universal use cases. With the help of trinamiX NIR Spectroscopy Solutions, all common plastics can now be easily identified within seconds. The spectrum ranges from classic polyolefins such as PE, PP and PVC (polyethylene, polypropylene and polyvinyl chloride), to PET (polyethylene terephthalate), which is best known as a material for beverage bottles. In addition, technical plastics such as ABS (acrylonitrile butadiene styrene) or PA (polyamide), whose distinction is particularly important for the recycling companies, can also be correctly identified in the field (especially in blends with other plastics). trinamiX can integrate additional materials according to customer requirements.

trinamiX NIR Spectroscopy Solutions were first publicly demonstrated in March 2020 and comprise the portable NIR spectrometer, data analysis (chemometry) in the cloud as well as an app to display the results and recommended actions. The individual spectra of the plastics are stored in the cloud and matched with the measurement data of the spectrometer in seconds. The user directly receives the name of the identified material in the app. Measurement results can not only be displayed on mobile devices, but also on the customer’s PC. This enables both rapid ad-hoc analyses as well as further evaluations and downloads.

All rights reserved except agreement written by Emballage Digest or mention of the magazine