Recyclables sorting plant in Sollenau is the first recycling plant to receive innovative AI fire protection system
13.02.2025The construction of the sorting plant in Sollenau will be one of the most modern sorting plants in Europe. PreZero Austria is setting new standards, particularly when it comes to fire protection. The new plant will be equipped with the BatterySort system from tech company WeSort.AI. The innovative sorting technology recognises incorrectly disposed lithium batteries and electrical appliances containing batteries with the help of artificial intelligence. This is because people are increasingly disposing of rechargeable batteries and batteries in the yellow bin, which in the worst case can also start fires.
© WeSort.AI
WeSort.AI's cutting-edge, fire-prevention technology utilises X-ray transmission technology together with in-depth AI algorithms to accurately identify and sort lithium batteries and battery-containing electrical appliances. Positioned at the beginning of the input stream, the BatterySort ensures that dangerous batteries are effectively sorted out before they can cause damage. To do this, the material flow is channelled through and scanned using special sensor technology. Recognised batteries are blown out with very powerful air pressure nozzles and transported into fireproof containers outside the sorting plant using a discharge conveyor. The separated batteries can then be returned to the recycling cycle.
The main reason for the increased risk of fire in waste sorting facilities is the incorrect disposal of rechargeable and non-rechargeable batteries, which can ignite spontaneously. As recently as autumn 2024, the Federal Association of the German Waste Management Industry reported a potential loss amount of 250 million € per quarter for the industry in Germany, which is exclusively attributable to fires. PreZero is also investing in an innovative AI sorting system in cooperation with WeSort.AI to increase safety for employees and neighbours. This investment also contributes to PreZero's zero-accident strategy - a concept that prioritises the safety and well-being of employees.
F.l.: Temirkhan Omarov (WeSort.AI), Nicolas Lefort (WeSort.AI), Marya Brandt (PreZero), Hubert Plangger (Stadler), Tristan Merk (PreZero)
© WeSort.AI
"The increasing disposal of rechargeable batteries and batteries in the yellow bin - whether from e-bikes, e-cigarettes or other devices - presents us with urgent challenges. We need to respond to this, as lithium batteries not only contain valuable raw materials, but also pose a significant fire risk if they are disposed of improperly. It is time to make waste management safer and more sustainable with innovative solutions," explains Dr Manfred Rieglhofer, Managing Director of PreZero Austria. "With BatterySort, we can efficiently identify and remove potential sources of danger before they become a real threat."
"Our vision is to close the resource cycle as much as possible. To achieve this, we are developing object-oriented solutions based on artificial intelligence that make it possible to sort waste materials better and more efficiently," emphasises Nathanael Laier, CEO at WeSort.AI. “We are proud that we were able to win PreZero as a cooperation partner with our BatterySort system. As a pioneer in protecting against fires caused by incorrectly disposed lithium batteries, we are now working together to ensure plant safety and innovative, safe and environmentale friendly recycling.” By working with WeSort.AI, PreZero is reaffirming its own pioneering role in efficient and sustainable waste management.
In addition to equipping the plant in Sollenau, PreZero plans to modernise other older and difficult-to-insure locations with the system. The innovative technology from WeSort.AI offers a genuine, preventative solution for fire prevention and also addresses a number of other financial and operational challenges.
