As Europe faces growing pressure to reduce emissions and dependency on raw materials, intelligent sorting systems are reshaping waste management. Powered by AI, robotics, and advanced sensors, these systems identify, sort, and trace materials with unmatched precision.

In Asturias and Casale, robotic sorters are achieving up to 97 percent accuracy, recovering plastics and construction materials once considered too complex to separate. Designed around modular, human-centric principles, they combine machine efficiency with real-time human oversight in line with Industry 5.0 thinking.

Leading the shift is the I-SENSE Group at ICCS of the National Technical University of Athens. Through projects and spin-offs like Cognisensus, their research is bridging the gap between innovation and application. Integrated with Digital Product Passports, these systems enable full material traceability and support the shift from waste to resource.

The next step is scale. According to Dr. Angelos Amditis, this requires expanding demonstrators, embedding traceability tools, aligning procurement with circular priorities, and fostering knowledge exchange across sectors. With the right support, Europe can lead a new era of circular and digital industrial production.

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