PrecisionPlastics: Redefining Recycling with Technology
This project is a response to the needs of the industrial sector dedicated to plastic recycling. Specifically, it aims to develop means and tools that allow not only for the optimization of the recycling process but also for an increase in the quality of the final product. Additionally, the project includes the development of traceability technologies for recycled plastic, thereby enabling the tracking and validation of its origin.
To achieve the project’s ambitious goals, the PrecisionPlastics initiative brings together a comprehensive consortium, composed of two business partners and three academic and scientific partners. PIEP is the scientific leader of the project, responsible for ensuring the innovative nature of the proposed developments.
Fernando Pessoa University will be responsible for developing intelligent systems for the identification and sorting of low-density plastics. The University of Minho will develop simulation systems for the extrusion process; these systems will allow for the anticipation of potential process defects and the timely application of corrective measures.
Additionally, the project includes one of the major players in mechanical recycling, SIRPLASTE. Their participation will allow for the validation of the developed solutions at an industrial scale while simultaneously contributing valuable inputs to the design of the various proposed solutions. In turn, the leading entity of the project, Egitron, in addition to actively participating in the developments, will be responsible for creating innovative hardware for the control of the recycling process. This hardware will be integrated with a process control IT system, which will be capable of aggregating all collected data and taking preventive action during the process.
Project information
Presentations
"Hierarchical Classification of Polymer Pellets using Short-Wave Infrared Hyperspectral Imaging for Recycling Applications", AOP 2026 - 7th International Conference on Application of Optics and Photonics, Instituto Superior de Engenharia de Lisboa, 7 a 10 de julho de 2026 (poster)
Semana da Engenharia e Arquitetura, Universidade Fernando Pessoa, 15th April 2026 (slides)
Semana Ciência Viva, Universidade Fernando Pessoa, 27th november 2025 (slides)
