SORTED unveils key prototypes of world's first fully integrated, AI-driven textile sorting system
Milestone demonstrates that SORTED vision is technically feasible
The future of textile processing and sorting will look fundamentally different.
The SORTED consortium reached a major milestone last week in the development of the world's first fully integrated, AI-driven textile processing and sorting system.
With the completion of three crucial prototypes, Sympany, Demcon, and Code for Good demonstrate how the entire process can be successfully automated.
The prototypes and the overarching vision can be seen in this video:
Unique approach SORTED
"Many other innovations solve specific parts within textile sorting.
What makes SORTED unique is that we automate the entire processing and sorting process into one integrated, industrial solution, which facilitates both reuse and recycling, bringing a circular textile chain one step closer", says Charles Graft of Sympany.
"The successful development of these prototypes demonstrates that our vision is technically feasible and that the future of textile sorting can be fundamentally different."
Three key prototypes completed
Of the seven process phases that together make up the SORTED installation, three key prototypes have now been realized:
Singulator – separates individual textile items from the incoming textile flow.
Bag Opener – uses robotics to automatically open plastic bags without damaging delicate fabrics.
Textile Analyser – analyzes each garment at high speed using advanced cameras, sensors, and artificial intelligence.
"These components represent some of the most technologically challenging elements of the future installation and provide proof that integrated automation of textile sorting is feasible," says Lars de Groot of Demcon Industrial Systems.
"This milestone demonstrates that the technologies work together in practice and brings us one step closer to industrial application."
Artificial intelligence as the brain of the system
At the heart of the SORTED approach lies artificial intelligence.
Using cameras, sensors, and advanced algorithms, the Textile Analyser assesses hundreds of characteristics for each textile article.
The system identifies aspects such as fiber composition, textile quality, brand characteristics, and reuse potential. Based on this analysis, AI determines the optimal route for each item: direct reuse, preparation for recycling, or another suitable destination.
"SORTED combines skilled workers, robotics, AI, and industrial engineering into one integrated process," says Mark Leenheer of Sympany.
"This milestone demonstrates that the technologies work on an industrial scale. Together, we are creating the future of textile sorting."
Up to 80% more efficient sorting
The installation is being designed for industrial use, for sorting centers handling 2 to 25 million kilograms of textiles. Sorting efficiency is expected to improve by up to 80 percent compared to current working methods.
SORTED aims to maximize the value of every collected textile item by creating a system that simultaneously sorts for both reuse and recycling.
The next phase of the project will focus on the further development and integration of the remaining modules into a single, complete industrial sorting line and operational testing at Sympany's sorting facility in Assen.
