AI-powered recycling system tested in France

Photo: Tomra

The high-precision color sorting system is helping the company achieve stainless steel purity of more than 98%, reduce manual sorting, and expand recovery to materials such as copper, brass, and electronic boards.

Trimetal, founded in 2019, specializes in processing complex waste streams including incineration residues, mattress springs, and pulper ropes. 

Launched this year, the FINDER COLOR system uses an RGB camera and AI to detect, separate, and sort metal particles based on color, size, and shape, even when materials overlap or match the conveyor belt.

At Trimetal’s plant, it complements an earlier TOMRA FINDER unit and works alongside shredding, screening, and magnetic separation equipment. An integrated electromagnetic sensor further improves separation of cables and stainless steel.

Thomas Santucci, Co-Founder and CEO of Trimetal, said: “With FINDER COLOR, we are reaching over 98% purity for stainless steel. We sort faster, process higher volumes, and save time every day.

“Our role goes beyond simple collection: we recover, refine and reintegrate critical metals into European supply chains – with stable, traceable performance.”