Korn Recycling actively protects itself from fires caused by LI batteries
- Nathanael Laier
- 10. März
- 3 Min. Lesezeit
Aktualisiert: 1. Apr.
The implementation of the Battery.Sort system has set new standards for safety in Albstadt.
KORN Recycling, a leading medium-sized recycling company based in Albstadt, Germany, has recently implemented an advanced technology from WeSort.AI to further increase safety and sustainability in the sorting of commercial waste. The investment in the Battery.Sort system arose from the company's deep commitment to safe production processes and active efforts to minimize fire risks that can arise from incorrectly disposed lithium-ion batteries. For KORN Recycling, protecting people, the environment and resources is a priority, and this innovative solution takes fire prevention to a whole new level.
Battery.Sort uses state-of-the-art X-ray transmission technology and specially developed deep learning algorithms to precisely identify and sort out impurities hidden in layers of waste down to a depth of 50 cm.
"Our plant has already experienced several fires in the past, mostly caused by incorrectly disposed lithium-ion batteries. With Battery.Sort from WeSort.AI, we can now identify potential sources of danger at an early stage and sort them out before they cause a fire."
Alexander Korn, Managing Director of KORN Recycling
The system not only offers increased protection against fires, but also enables the recovery of valuable materials such as lithium, precious metals and rare earths from the discarded batteries and electrical appliances.
"Our deep learning algorithms already achieve a high level of recognition accuracy and are continuously improving. Our AI and data sets are also constantly evolving."
explains Nathanael Laier, Managing Director of WeSort.AI.
Results:
Preventive fire protection
The detected batteries and other impurities are blown out of the waste layer by special air pressure nozzles and fed onto a conveyor belt, which transports them into fireproof containers and from there back into the WEEE system. (WEEE stands for “waste of electrical and electronic equipment”).
Reduced Insurance premiums
The fact that insurance premiums for sorting systems have increased eightfold since 2004 also highlights the need to modernize older sorting systems. WeSort.AI's innovative technology offers a real, preventative solution to fire prevention and also addresses a number of other financial and operational challenges. Another significant advantage is the considerable reduction in insurance premiums, with WeSort.AI working together with insurance companies such as Hübner Versicherung.
Less damage to property
The introduction of the system in sorting plants reduces minor fire damage, which costs an average of 200,000 euros per year and plant. It also protects against the potential total loss of entire sorting plants, which can result in damages of up to 30 million euros.
Reduction of downtimes
In addition, system downtimes can be greatly reduced and personnel can be deployed more efficiently for re-sorting and operation.
Compliance with purchase obligations
In addition, there are fewer costs for purchase obligations, which result in waste volumes having to be sold to competitors in the event of longer outages. The constantly increasing provisions that have to be formed for plant fires can also be reduced. This results in an ROI for the Battery.Sort of just a few months.
By implementing the Battery.Sort system, KORN Recycling has secured itself a pioneering role in the field of safe and environmentally friendly recycling. Together with WeSort.AI, which was recently awarded the German Founder's Award, the company is setting new standards in waste management and demonstrating how the use of state-of-the-art technology enables a safe and efficient recycling process.
