RTT System – a brief introduction...
Material analysis and material flow analysis have been one of the core competencies of RTT System GmbH since its foundation in 2010. All products are characterised by a very high degree of in-house production and development.
The first steps in quality analysis were taken in 2013, when development work began on the first version of the flake analyser.
The success of this product was decisive for the restructuring and reorientation of RTT System's activities in 2022.
What is behind the idea and motto ‘Analytics with all senses’?
Following the company motto, RTT develops and implements quality control solutions in many different areas. While laboratory machines – flakeanalysers and filmanalysers – are largely focused on plastics recycling, processanalysers are also used in metal recycling and the food industry.
Our idea is to provide our customers with precise information about material composition, ensuring constant quality control. This is achieved using advanced RTT detection system, composed of:
-near-infrared (NIR) spectrometric sensor,
-colour camera,
-3D sensor for shape detection.
Captured data from all sensors are transferred as raw data to an evaluation unit, where they are analysed using an AI system. Data on material composition, object class, grain size and material quantity have been integrated into an In(ON)-Line process analyser.
Is such precise data required in the plastics sector, and what is its role in an evolving market?
Quality control of materials and continuous real-time monitoring have become crucial in the rapidly evolving recycling sector. Market changes, particularly those related to recycling levels, market diversification and deposit systems, have a significant impact on the quality and composition of materials entering the recycling facilities. This can be reflected in the output material after mechanical sorting. The insight generated by this precise data is primarily designed to verify the composition of the input and to ensure the purity and recovery levels of the output materials.
How?
By using this knowledge to optimise sorting processes, adjusting them to achieve the desired recovery, purity rate and guarantee stability in the further circular economy operation.
AI-PET
What is the current trend in plastic recycling from the perspective of material analysis?
We see it in terms of chemical recycling, its impact on the industry and the flow of raw materials. Our machines are participating in this process already, providing a valuable insight into the composition of input materials. At the moment, chemical recycling has a small percentage of the market share, but the initiatives so far have been pilot projects, and large-scale activities are just beginning. This will have a significant impact on the industry.
We are pleased to be contributing actively to this process and to see subsequent requests for our products from companies involved in this sector of the industry.
Rafał Barabola
What investments and key milestones does 2025 bring for RTT?
Ongoing year is full of further innovations in the development of our products, as well as at our company location. The detection system, which has been successfully operating in the analysis of PET, PP, PE, PVC, PS, ABS, RDF fractions, and chemical recycling, has gained wide appreciation.
Now, the RTT sensor fusion as a detection system is being supplied to our partners' sorting machines – company BRT Hartner.
One significant milestone for our company is that we are now prepared to trial not only analysis machines, but also sorting machines. The test centre in Zittau located at the border triangle is fully equipped to handle even the most challenging material types.
For what are you appreciated by your existing customers?
One of RTT System's outstanding attributes on the market is its high degree of flexibility and tailoring to the needs of our customers, and consequently to the needs of the market. High variability has become a constant trend in recent years, and this is precisely what motivates us to act and adapt our solutions in an appropriate way. We focus on creating added value for our partners. Being open to collaboration in the most demanding conditions and with the most challenging materials.
Rafał Barabola, product and key project management with an innovative character. His adventure with recycling began as an engineer with responsibility for commissioning of automatic sorters. As a project manager, he implements key and strategic solutions in the field of sorting, as well as those related to plastic analysis, quality control and the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in the area of raw material identification. Enthusiast and passionate about NIR sensor technology for material detection.
