94% fewer fires: Battery.Sort provides preventive protection for sorting facilities
- Nathanael Laier
- Aug 11
- 2 min read
Updated: Aug 12
A major safety risk has been drastically reduced at the Korn Recycling sorting plant in Albstadt: fires caused by improperly disposed lithium-ion batteries. This improvement is made possible by the AI-powered Battery.Sort solution from Würzburg-based company WeSort.AI. The innovative machine was integrated into the commercial waste sorting facility earlier this year. Since then, it has used X-ray sensors and artificial intelligence to detect hazardous objects, particularly lithium batteries and battery-containing devices, and automatically remove them. The installation was carried out by Europress. By continuously optimizing its AI, WeSort.AI ensures that detection rates keep improving over time.
The impressive result: 94% fewer fires.
Between June 15 and July 31, 2025, only one battery-related fire was recorded – compared to 17 incidents during the same period the previous year.
"These 94% are more than just a number, they represent a real milestone for safety in the waste management sector," says the WeSort.AI team. "Our system shows that smart sorting technology can reliably identify and remove batteries before they become a threat."
Hazardous materials removed (Photo: Korn Recycling GmbH)
During this period, Battery.Sort detected and removed an average of 12.41 kilograms of potentially hazardous materials per hour from a waste stream of approximately 20 tons of commercial waste. These included not only individual lithium-ion battery cells, but also vapes, battery packs, and block batteries. It is precisely these hidden batteries that frequently trigger fires during sorting and processing.
KORN Recycling as a true pioneer
The fact that Battery.Sort made its way into live operations is thanks to the pioneering spirit of KORN Recycling. As the first industry partner, the company from Albstadt played a decisive role in the development of the technology – and made its plant available for the installation of the initial system.
“We recognized the potential of Battery.Sort early on – not only as a technical innovation, but also as an important contribution to safety in the industry,” says Alexander Korn, Managing Director of KORN Recycling. “It was clear to us: if we want to prevent employees and facilities from being endangered by battery fires, we have to lead the way with courage.”
By implementing the Battery.Sort solution, Korn Recycling is prioritizing preventive safety through AI, avoiding downtimes and protecting both employees and equipment. A true role model for sorting and processing facilities around the world.
About WeSort.AI
Based in Würzburg, Germany, WeSort.AI develops AI-based systems for intelligent detection and sorting of various materials in the waste management industry. The company’s mission is to make recycling processes safer, more efficient, and more sustainable.
Press contact
WeSort.AI GmbH
Lisa Neumaier
