Plastic Sorting Machine Market Size, Share, Growth, and Industry Analysis, By Type (Chute-Type Sorting Machine & Belt-Type Sorting Machine), By Application (Plastic Flakes and Particles & Pretreatment Plastics) and Regional Forecast to 2035

PLASTIC SORTING MACHINE MARKET REPORT OVERVIEW

The global Plastic Sorting Machine Market size estimated at USD 238.49 million in 2026 and is projected to reach USD 319.16 million by 2035, growing at a CAGR of 10.2% from 2026 to 2035.

The global market for plastic sorting machines is growing at a very fast pace since many industrial and municipal entities are in the process of looking for sustainable methods of dealing with plastics. Such machines are used to efficiently segregate or filter different categories of plastics, thus improving the efficiency of recycling procedures as well as decreasing the concerns with environmental pollution. Modern development and increased information on the consequences of pollution are the reasons for the development of complex sorting solutions. There is no better time for this market to grow than now, especially considering the current and emerging regulatory requirements as well as customers’ demands for products to be sourced sustainably. As innovation is unprecedented, the plastic sorting machine market emerges to challenge an important part of the circular economy and waste minimize.

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COVID-19 IMPACT: MARKET GROWTH DURING PANDEMIC DUE TO INCREASED WASTE MANAGEMENT

The global COVID-19 pandemic has been unprecedented and staggering, with the market experiencing higher-than-anticipated demand across all regions compared to pre-pandemic levels. The sudden market growth reflected by the rise in CAGR is attributable to market’s growth and demand returning to pre-pandemic levels.

The market of the plastic sorting machines witnessed an upsurge during the period of COVID-19 because of the increased concern of waste management and recycling. The increase in the use of plastics as personal protective equipment, bags, or other packaging materials created a demand for better technologies for sorting these items. Also, the pandemic stimulated concerns for increasing recycling rates by investing resources in automation and smart sorting systems. This shift benefited the long-term market expansion and the occurrence of technological innovations.

LATEST TRENDS

"AI and machine learning drive market growth and efficiency"

One of the leading trends driving the development of the plastic sorting machine market is the use of artificial intelligence and machine learning. These innovations make sorting processes more precise and faster, as the task of identifying the most relevant types of polymers and sorting them out is implemented by the machine in an autonomous way. Automated systems increase sort size differentiation, lower contamination rates, and max out efficiency, yet are signs of more comprehensive technological advancements in waste management. It has become one of the prevailing trends rapidly affecting the market and expanding the demand for state-of-the-art sorting technologies.

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PLASTIC SORTING MACHINE MARKET SEGMENTATION

By Type

Based on type the market can be categorized into Chute-Type Sorting Machine & Belt-Type Sorting Machine.

• Chute-Type Sorting Machine: Chute-type sorting uses gravity means while sorting the material that is made of plastic, it is sorted by size/weight on a sloping chute. These machines are known to be basic in design as well as affordable in terms of the manner in which they deal with large volumes of waste. Most commonly, they are used in prescreening stages to eliminate the undesirable materials in large volumes.

• Belt-Type Sorting Machine: Conveyor belt sorters use belts to transport the plastic through a number of sorting processes, like air blowing or photoelectric cells. These are highly precise and very flexible, exercising excellent performance in segregation tasks applied to various types of plastics. These systems are employed in the best recycling centers to help minimize the quality of material separation.

By Application

Based on application the market can be categorized into Plastic Flakes and Particles & Pretreatment Plastics

• Plastic flakes and particles: Plastic flakes and particle sorting equipment has been developed and is used to categorize the small, dispersed plastics and the large objects. These machines employ technologies like air classifiers and vibratory screens so that sorting of materials can be effected accurately. They are critical in converting post-consumer and post-industrial plastic waste into reusable feedstock stock.

• Pretreatment Plastics: Pre-treatment plastics sorting equipment mainly concentrates on the screening and segregation of plastics for recycling. Such machines usually wash the plastics and sort them based on type and quality with a view to optimizing subsequent stages of recycling. They have an important function of preparing incoming plastics for the most effective recycling.

DRIVING FACTORS

"Stricter environmental regulations boost market growth for advanced sorting machinery"

Lately, there has been an increasing stringency of environmental regulations and policies, which has created a market for enhanced plastic sorting machinery. Governments are coming up with policies that call for enhanced waste management coupled with improved levels of recycling, hence catalyzing industries to adopt enhanced sorting systems in a bid to meet the formulated standards on emission of pollutants to the environment.

"Growing awareness drives market growth for advanced plastic recycling technologies"

Higher awareness of the populations about the effects of plastics when they find their way into the environment is forcing governments and companies to look for better methods of recycling plastics. With consumers and businesses now becoming more conscious about their environmental impacts and acting in support of a sustainable economy, there is thus high demand for innovative and advanced sorting techniques that will help in the improvement of the recycling process, thereby creating a circular economy and resulting  plastic sorting machine market growth.

RESTRAINING FACTOR

"High capital costs limit market growth for advanced sorting machines"

The strategic driving force that limits the plastic sorting machine market is the large capital that is needed to purchase superior sorting apparatus. However, due to the attraction of big capital investments for the purchasing and installation of such systems, its popularity is still restricted across numerous small enterprises and municipalities. It is a drawback due to which market growth might be limited, and it might be difficult to improve sorting solutions.

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PLASTIC SORTING MACHINE MARKET REGIONAL INSIGHTS

The market is primarily segregated into Europe, Latin America, Asia Pacific, North America, and Middle East & Africa.

"North America's focus on sustainability drives significant market growth"

North America holds the largest  plastic sorting machine market share owing to its focus on modern waste management systems and policies on the environment. The most important factors include the region’s sophisticated and developed infrastructure, high investment in recycling stations and technologies, and new technologies of sorting. Further, greater awareness of sustainability across the public and the government strongly contributes to the large demand for intelligent sorting. This situation consolidates North America at the top of the world market share lead generator.

KEY INDUSTRY PLAYERS

"Key players' R&D investments drive market growth and technological advancements"

Prominent players in the plastic sorting machine market are the key determinants for market growth owing to increasing research and development activities. The investments that they make into their technology and research programs result in the development of new and more effective sorting systems. These partnerships, along with mergers and acquisitions, also increase their market size and scope and, in turn, effectively contribute towards the further advancement of the overall industry, accompanied by the increased application of sophisticated sorting technologies.

List of Market Players Profiled

• Tomra (Norway)
• Pellenc ST (France)
• Bühler (Switzerland)
• Steinert (Germany)
• Satake (Australia)

April 2024: IA recent industrial development in the plastic sorting machine market is from *Tomra Sorting Recycling, a division of Tomra Systems ASA. Tomra launched its new **AUTOSORT® LUMO* machine. This machine incorporates advanced laser technology combined with deep learning and artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance the sorting of plastic waste by detecting various material types with high precision, including black plastics and other difficult-to-detect polymers. This innovation aims to improve sorting accuracy and efficiency, addressing the growing demand for high-quality recycled plastics.

REPORT COVERAGE

This report is based on historical analysis and forecast calculation that aims to help readers get a comprehensive understanding of the global Plastic Sorting Machine Marketfrom multiple angles, which also provides sufficient support to readers’ strategy and decision-making. Also, this study comprises a comprehensive analysis of SWOT and provides insights for future developments within the market. It examines varied factors that contribute to the growth of the market by discovering the dynamic categories and potential areas of innovation whose applications may influence its trajectory in the upcoming years. This analysis encompasses both recent trends and historical turning points into consideration, providing a holistic understanding of the market’s competitors and identifying capable areas for growth.

This research report examines the segmentation of the market by using both quantitative and qualitative methods to provide a thorough analysis that also evaluates the influence of strategic and financial perspectives on the market. Additionally, the report's regional assessments consider the dominant supply and demand forces that impact market growth. The competitive landscape is detailed meticulously, including shares of significant market competitors. The report incorporates unconventional research techniques, methodologies and key strategies tailored for the anticipated frame of time. Overall, it offers valuable and comprehensive insights into the market dynamics professionally and understandably.