Europe's most modern recycling sorting plant opened

PreZero invests in the infrastructure of the European circular economy and operates new AI-powered plant in Austria.

Neckarsulm, July 30, 2025 - After more than a year of construction, PreZero has commissioned one of the most modern sorting plants for lightweight packaging (LPC) in Europe in Sollenau (Lower Austria). The Schwarz Group's environmental services provider is thus underlining its commitment to the European circular economy and an independent supply of raw materials. 
 
A strong circular economy reduces dependency on imports, secures critical raw materials and contributes to energy independence. "The prerequisite for this is optimal waste separation and effective recycling. This is the only way to reuse high-quality recyclable materials and return them to the raw materials cycle," explains Dietmar Böhm, CEO of PreZero International. "With the pioneering sorting plant in Sollenau, we are making a significant contribution to European resource sovereignty." 
 
In future, the new recycling sorting plant will use AI technology to sort lightweight packaging from yellow bags and yellow garbage cans in order to secure and subsequently recycle recyclable materials. PreZero relies on AI-based radio technology for battery sorting. The precise identification and sorting of lithium batteries and electrical appliances containing batteries significantly reduces the risk of fire in the plant and increases employee safety. In addition, sorting is also carried out using AI-based object recognition and 35 modern near-infrared (NIR) separators.
 
With a built-up area of 44,000 square meters, the system can sort up to 100,000 tons of lightweight packaging waste such as yoghurt pots and drinks cartons fully automatically every year. The new sorting plant also has excellent logistical connections: it can initially be easily reached by road and, in the future, via the rail network. The wagons with the delivered lightweight packaging are unloaded in a loading hall and the sorted recyclables are then loaded again. All processing, sorting and storage of the lightweight packaging waste takes place within the plant.

PreZero's investment is a strong signal for the expansion of the circular economy and its infrastructure in Europe, especially in view of the current economic challenges for plastic recyclates. The construction of the LVP sorting plant is also being funded by the European 
Union to the tune of ten million euros.
 
More information about PreZero can be found at our press portal.