Vanden Recycling has partnered with the University of Oxford to explore a breakthrough in plastic sorting using terahertz spectroscopic imaging. This technology, supported by UK Research and Innovation, offers the ability to detect all colors of plastic—including black—and even identify embedded contamination and degradation. Unlike traditional sorting methods like NIR or FTIR, terahertz imaging provides real-time, three-dimensional material analysis that could significantly improve the purity of recycled plastic feedstock.

I think it’s incredibly encouraging to see innovation like this pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in recycling. The goal is to bring this lab-based advancement into industrial recycling facilities, enabling more plastic to remain in the supply chain rather than ending up in landfills or incinerators. With the UK aiming for a 70 percent plastic packaging recycling rate by 2025, this collaboration could help close the gap between current capabilities and national targets, while supporting the broader shift toward circular, closed-loop recycling systems.