Valorsul, a leading waste management company in Portugal, is set to take a significant step towards modernising its operations with the implementation of an artificial intelligence system developed by Greyparrot, a company specialising in automated waste analysis solutions and one of the winners of the first edition of Open Innovation Valorsul 2024. The new technology will enable real-time monitoring of the composition of materials entering the sorting station, driving continuous improvement in results and increased operational efficiency.
The aim is to enhance the capacity for recycling packaging, reducing the volume of waste sent for energy recovery. To this end, Valorsul is testing automated solutions based on Artificial Intelligence (AI) that will overcome current limitations and increase the accuracy and speed of processes.
The Greyparrot Waste Intelligence system combines highly robust cameras installed above the conveyor belts with proprietary software capable of identifying and quantifying 111 material classes at high speed. At Valorsul, the equipment will be installed at strategic points – material intake, the PET product line and the rejects line – providing unprecedented operational visibility.
“Continuous access to high-resolution data will enable us to identify performance issues immediately, reduce downtime, recover more valuable materials and improve the quality of our product fractions,” says Diana Tomázio, Director of Innovation at Valorsul. “This technology will help us make informed decisions, adapt to operational variations and, ultimately, better serve our communities.”
By improving sorting efficiency and the purity of fractions in real time, this investment contributes directly to meeting national and European circular economy targets, including the 55% urban waste recycling target.
Key expected benefits of the project:
• Optimisation of results and profitability – Identification of the optimal input material load to maximise yield and economic return.
• Reduction in downtime – Immediate detection of anomalies and rapid intervention, reducing interruptions and operational costs.
• Better utilisation of installed capacity – Using the facility’s utilisation rate as a measurable indicator to increase overall efficiency.
• Monitoring and improving yield – Using yield as an indicator to enhance material recovery and increase revenue.
• Increased PET recovery – Measuring capture rates and losses to improve recovery strategies and support operational decisions.
The AI-based solution will also enable rapid adaptation to regulatory changes, equipment upgrades and seasonal variations in waste composition, ensuring greater resilience and operational responsiveness.
By adopting these systems, Valorsul is positioning itself at the forefront of technological innovation in the waste sector in Portugal, combining efficiency, transparency and sustainability, and reinforcing its commitment to making the work of its professionals smarter, safer and more effective.