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Draft:Steinert

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STEINERT GmbH
Company typeGmbH
IndustryMachinery manufacturing
Founded1889
HeadquartersCologne, Germany
Key people
Peter Funke (CEO)
Marc Pfannhauser (CFO)
Revenue105,8 Mio. EUR[1] (2021)
Number of employees
Increase 343[1] (2021)
Websitewww.steinert.de

The Steinert group of companies was established in 1889 and is headquartered in Cologne. Its core business is the manufacture of magnet and sensor sorting solutions. The company developed several fundamental technologies that are now widely used in the recycling process, including the overbelt magnet and the eddy current separator with eccentric pole drum.

History

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In 1889, Ferdinand Steinert founded the company 'Ferdinand Steinert Elektromagnetische Aufbereitungsanlagen' in Cologne with the objective of recovering iron from foundry and metallurgical waste. In 1931, Julius Christian Buchholz acquired the company, which remains under family ownership to the present day, and incorporated it into the holding company Metalloxyd GmbH.

Schematic diagram of an overband magnetic separator in series with an eddy current separator
Schematic diagram of an overband magnetic separator in series with an eddy current separator

In 1966, Steinert developed the first overband magnetic separator[2], which is employed in recycling processes for the recovery of ferrous metals. Subsequently, in 1987, the company developed the eccentric eddy current separator[3], which is used in the recovery of non-ferromagnetic metals.

In 2003, Steinert US Ltd. was established in St. Petersburg, Florida. This was followed in 2004 by the acquisition of the Australian company Sturton-Gill, which was subsequently integrated into the group as Steinert Australia Pty Ltd.

Following the majority takeover of RTT Systemtechnik GmbH in 2009, the product portfolio was expanded to include near-infrared sorting systems. The subsidiary has been trading as Steinert UniSort GmbH since 2019.[4]

In 2024, Steinert expanded its product portfolio by purchasing the MSort product family. This acquisition enabled the company to gain expertise in glass sorting and the sorting of fine materials.

Organisational structure

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Steinert has established a presence in multiple countries, with facilities in Germany (Cologne, Zittau and Wedel), the USA (Cincinnati), Australia (Melbourne) and Brazil (Belo Horizonte).[5] The subsidiaries are engaged in the development of specific product lines and the adaptation of sorting technologies to align with regional requirements.

Products

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The company offers a range of magnetic and sensor sorting solutions that are utilised in waste and metal processing. The products include:

  • Magnetic separation machines
    • Magnetic belt rollers
    • High gradient magnetic separators
    • Magnetic drums
    • Overbelt magnets
    • Lifting magnets
    • Eddy current separators
    • Wet magnetic separators
  • Sensor sorting systems
    • X-ray sorting systems
    • LIBS sorting systems
    • Induction sorting systems
    • Colour sorting systems
    • Near-infrared sorting systems

Significance and contribution to the circular economy

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Sorting machine manufacturers occupy a pivotal position within the recycling industry, exerting a considerable influence on the advancement of the circular economy.[6] Through the deployment of magnetic and sensor sorting technologies, Steinert facilitates the streamlined recovery of recyclable materials from intricate waste streams and scrap and their subsequent return to the production cycle.

A further area of focus is the development of new standards and technologies with the objective of improving the recyclability of materials. In collaboration with Cirplus, Steinert contributed to the development of the DIN SPEC 91446 and DIN SPEC 91481 standards.[7] These standards delineate the requirements for digital documentation of plastic waste and its traceability, thereby facilitating more precise sorting and recycling. Additionally, the company participates in collaborative initiatives with external organisations such as GS1 as part of the R-Cycle initiative to advance marker technologies that enable optimised identification and sorting of plastics and textiles.[8]

Moreover, Steinert maintains active engagement with industry associations, including the Institute of Scrap Recycling Industries (ISRI), the Mechanical Engineering Industry Association (VDMA), the German Association for Secondary Raw Materials and Waste Management (bvse) and the Bureau of International Recycling (BIR). Through these memberships, Steinert contributes to the advancement of recycling standards and facilitates the dissemination of technological innovations to the global recycling industry.

Technological innovations and research

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In collaboration with a number of academic institutions, including RWTH Aachen University[9], Freiberg University of Mining and Technology[10], Münster University of Applied Sciences[11] and the Fraunhofer Society[12], solutions are being developed to adapt existing sorting technologies to meet the complex requirements of modern recycling processes. This will subsequently lead to an increase in both the efficiency and precision of the sorting process.

Eccentric magnetic pole system for eddy current separators

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Schematic diagram of an eddy current separator with eccentric pole drum
Schematic diagram of an eddy current separator with eccentric pole drum

One of Steinert's contributions to the field of eddy current separators that is worthy of note is the eccentric magnetic pole system. The operational principle is based on the generation of a variable magnetic field, which magnetises current-conducting particles and facilitates their separation through mutual repulsion. The eccentric configuration of the magnetic pole system amplifies the force exerted on the material, thereby facilitating more accurate separation. The adaptability of the pole system permits the ejection parabola to be modified, thus enabling the separation performance to be optimised. This technology has become the industry standard in the recycling sector and is utilised globally in metal recovery and waste management.

Hyperspectral technology for the detection of black plastics

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A further area of research concerns the utilisation of optical sorting techniques based on hyperspectral imaging (HSI) technology. The detection of black plastics using conventional near-infrared (NIR) sorting systems is impeded by the fact that the commonly used carbon black substance reduces light reflection. However, the hyperspectral sensors developed by Steinert are capable of overcoming this limitation by detecting specific material signatures that are independent of colour. Consequently, black plastics can be effectively identified and separated according to their type.

Test and Development Center

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The Test & Development Center in Cologne offers partners the opportunity to simulate specific recycling requirements and develop bespoke solutions. It serves as a conduit for theoretical concepts to be tested in realistic trials, thereby facilitating the rapid implementation of academic knowledge in practice.

Future fields of research

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The company is currently engaged in the development of AI-supported sorting algorithms and the sorting of aluminium alloys by grade. These innovations have the potential to enhance the recycling rate and reduce the reliance on primary raw materials.

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References

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  1. ^ a b Consolidated financial statements of Metalloxyd GmbH for the year 2021 in "Elektronischer Bundesanzeiger"
  2. ^ "Dokument DE000003608881A1". DPMAregister | Patente - Registerauskunft (in German). Retrieved 2024-11-21.
  3. ^ "Dokument DE000003823944C1". DPMAregister | Patente - Registerauskunft (in German). Retrieved 2024-11-21.
  4. ^ Financial statements of STEINERT UniSort GmbH for the year 2019 in "Elektronischer Bundesanzeiger"
  5. ^ "Our Locations". Retrieved 2024-11-21.
  6. ^ Neubauer, Christian; Stoifl, Barbara; Tesar, Maria; Thaler, Peter (2021). "SORTIERUNG UND RECYCLING VON KUNSTSTOFFABFÄLLEN IN ÖSTERREICH: STATUS 2019" (PDF). umweltbundesamt.at (in German). Bundesministerium Klimaschutz, Umwelt, Energie, Mobilität, Innovation und Technologie. Retrieved 2024-11-21.
  7. ^ "Cirplus Initiated Standards: DIN SPEC 91446 and 91481". Retrieved 2024-11-21.
  8. ^ "The Digital Product Passport". Retrieved 2024-11-21.
  9. ^ "Technical Facilities". Retrieved 2024-11-21.
  10. ^ "Research project develops technologies for optimised recycling of end-of-life vehicles". Retrieved 2024-11-21.
  11. ^ Kölking, Max; Flamme, Sabine; Hams, Sigrid (2020). "Characterization of Metal Scrap by Multisensor Systems" (PDF). Retrieved 2024-11-21.
  12. ^ "Altholz-Recycling" (in German). Retrieved 2024-11-21.