Neckarsulm / Haimburg (Austria), February 4, 2025. With the construction of the sorting plant in Sollenau, one of the most modern sorting plants in Europe is being built. PreZero Austria is setting new standards, particularly when it comes to fire protection. The new plant will be equipped with the BatterySort system from tech company WeSort.AI. The innovative sorting technology uses artificial intelligence to identify incorrectly disposed lithium batteries and electrical appliances containing batteries. This is because people are increasingly disposing of rechargeable batteries and batteries in the yellow garbage can, which in the worst case can also cause fires.
WeSort.AI's cutting-edge, fire-prevention technology uses X-ray transmission technology together with in-depth AI algorithms to precisely identify and sort lithium batteries and electrical appliances containing batteries. Positioned at the beginning of the input stream, the BatterySort ensures that dangerous batteries are effectively sorted out before they can cause damage. To do this, the material flow is passed through and scanned using special sensor technology. Detected batteries are blown out with very powerful air pressure nozzles and transported into fireproof containers outside the sorting plant using a discharge conveyor. The separated batteries can then be returned to the recycling cycle.
The main reason for the increased risk of fire in waste sorting facilities is the incorrect disposal of rechargeable and non-rechargeable batteries, which can ignite spontaneously. As recently as autumn 2024, the Federal Association of the German Waste Management Industry reported a potential loss amount of 250 million euros per quarter for the industry in Germany, which is exclusively attributable to fires. PreZero is also investing in an innovative AI sorting system in cooperation with WeSort.AI to increase safety for employees and local residents. This investment also contributes to PreZero's zero-accident strategy - a concept that prioritizes the safety and well-being of employees.
"The increasing disposal of rechargeable batteries and batteries in the yellow garbage can - whether from e-bikes, e-cigarettes or other devices - presents us with urgent challenges. We need to respond to this, as lithium batteries not only contain valuable raw materials, but also pose a significant fire risk if they are disposed of improperly. It is time to make waste management safer and more sustainable with innovative solutions," explains Dr. Manfred Rieglhofer, Managing Director of PreZero Austria. "With BatterySort, we can efficiently identify and remove potential sources of danger before they become a real threat."
"Our vision is to achieve the most closed resource cycle possible. To achieve this, we develop object-oriented solutions based on artificial intelligence that make it possible to sort waste materials better and more efficiently," emphasizes Nathanael Laier, CEO at WeSort.AI. "We are proud to have PreZero as a cooperation partner with our BatterySort system.
As a pioneer in protecting against fires caused by incorrectly disposed lithium batteries, we are now working together to ensure plant safety and innovative, safe and environmentally friendly recycling." By working with WeSort.AI, PreZero is reaffirming its own pioneering role in efficient and sustainable waste management.
In addition to equipping the facility in Sollenau, PreZero plans to modernize other older and difficult-to-insure locations with the system. The innovative technology of WeSort.AI offers a real, preventative solution for fire prevention and also addresses a variety of other financial and operational challenges.
More information about PreZero can be found at our press portal.
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Further information about WeSort.AI can be found on our website.
