UniSort - a STEINERT UniSort GmbH brand

Within the STEINERT Group, Zittau-based STEINERT UniSort is responsible for developing and producing the UniSort products.

NIR-based sensor sorting systems have been produced under the name UniSort at the site in Zittau since the 1990s. Originally a spin-off to the construction of special machinery, today the UniSorts are the core business of STEINERT UniSort. 

Through the commitment of STEINERT GmbH in 2009, the UniSort products were integrated into STEINERT’s global sales and service network.

The UniSort name is synonymous with innovative products. The model change in 2012 to the UniSort PR saw the establishment of our new standard, a camera-based NIR system. This system, developed by STEINERT UniSort, marks a clear technological leap forwards in terms of the visual and also the spectral resolution of the NIR signals produced.

Using this innovative technology, we have also managed to tackle applications that were previously impossible to solve with NIR. UniSort Black was unveiled in 2014. This machine was able to reliably detect black objects by means of NIR and also to actively separate them from a flow of material – and to do so with only the aid of an NIR signal, i.e. no additional camera or laser technology.

The UniSort Film followed in 2015: this is an entire machine developed to sort lightweight 2D material, which is prone to flying.

As a consequence of UniSort Black, 2016 saw the introduction of UniSort BlackEye. This further development enabled different types of black plastics to also be separated.

STEINERT UniSort today:
Taking account of the major growth experienced over the last few years and in preparation for future work, capacities in Zittau have been increased significantly. A young team and connections to the construction of special machinery are also helping us to think outside the box for the future and to continue developing innovative products for our customers under the UniSort name.

Originally a spin-off to the construction of special machinery, today the UniSorts are the core business of the company. The model change in 2012 to the UniSort PR saw the establishment of a new standard, a camera-based NIR system. This system marked a clear technological leap forwards in terms of the visual and also the spectral resolution of the NIR signals produced. Using this innovative technology, many Material Recovery Facilities have also managed to tackle more challenging applications that were previously impossible to solve with NIR. Since as early as the UniSort PR EVO 5.0 generation, the company has also been relying on artificial intelligence, specifically the huge amounts of data that have been processed using AI-based object recognition. This means that customers are able to even better meet the requirements of the circular economy and the current legislative initiatives at EU level, for example the Packaging Directive.

Thanks to the UniSort Black sorting system launched in 2014, the market was able for the first time to reliably detect black objects using NIR and also to actively separate them from a flow of material – and to do so with only the aid of an NIR signal, i.e. no additional camera or laser technology.

The UniSort Film sorting system was developed in 2015 for recycling and processing plants and was specially designed for sorting lightweight 2D material which is prone to flying, such as film.

As a consequence of UniSort Black, 2016 saw the introduction of UniSort BlackEye. This further development then enabled different black plastics to also be separated according to the type of plastic.

STEINERT UniSort GmbH is now a wholly-owned subsidiary of STEINERT GmbH, meaning UniSort products can benefit from a globally established sales and service network.