Plastic Sorting Machine Market Size, Share, Growth, and Industry Analysis By Type (Chute-Type Sorting Machine, Belt-Type Sorting Machine), By Application (Plastic Flakes and Particles, Pretreatment Plastics), Regional Insights and Forecast From 2025 To 2035

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PLASTIC SORTING MACHINE MARKET OVERVIEW

The global plastic sorting machine market, valued at USD 0.26 billion in 2025, is projected to grow steadily to USD 0.29 billion in 2026 and is expected to reach USD 0.70 billion by 2035, maintaining a CAGR of 10.2% over the forecast period from 2025 to 2035.

A plastic sorting machine is a device that helps in the parting of numerous types of plastics from mixed materials. Increase in demand for PVC due to its sustainability among other benefits- the environmental benefit being one of them which has led towards augmented practice of these devices to leading to an upsurge in revenue over time. As businesses focus on automating to boost productivity and quality the market is projected to progress at the speediest rate over the forecast period. Governments are recycling the garbage produced by various businesses in nations in an effort to reduce pollution and save the environment. Recycling alters used plastic goods into recycle.

This recycled can be processed in place of virgin material to create new plastic products which themselves can be recycled over after usage. Recycling saves energy and used plastics are often cheaper than virgin material. Though, recycling used plastics is only a profitable venture if the material has formerly been divided into homogeneous elements by colour and type in order to live up to high quality standards.  Categorisation to a high degree of purity means polymers can be re-used and preserve their value. Recycling has a part to play in cutting carbon emissions. Plastic flakes are small pieces of plastics detached after the recycling process. It has an efficient capability to separate different types of plastics in order for them to be recycled into new products and also has high energy efficiency due to its utilization of air pressure instead of mechanical power. Participating are fixing their efforts on encouraging R&D. Technological development are supporting the regional market growth. Companies coming up with progressive technological solutions for firming their positions.

KEY FINDINGS

COVID-19 IMPACT

Pandemic hampered the market due to unexpected disruption in the sector

The global COVID-19 pandemic has been unprecedented and staggering, with plastic sorting machine market experiencing lower-than-anticipated demand across all regions compared to pre-pandemic levels. The sudden rise in CAGR is attributable to the market growth and demand returning to pre-pandemic levels once the pandemic is over.

COVID 19 pandemic has extremely affected the whole world. It caused many unexpected disruption and affected the industry. COVID 19 had negative impact on the market due to economic slowdown, unpredictability in financial sector and high unstable market. The pandemic resulted in decreased demand due to a disrupted supply chain, drop in sales of products, delivery schedules. Travel bans imposed affected business collaboration and partnership. Demand had recently reduced due to travel bans and lockdown during the COVID-19 pandemic. The continuous loss in the business due to the lockdown measures is projected to directly influence the growth of the investments in the market.

LATEST TRENDS

Use of innovative products to boost the market growth

Technological improvement and development will further enhance the presentation of the product, allowing it to obtain a varied range of requests in the market. Technological advancement will improve performance and propel the market growth. Technological advancement with high demand are increasingly setting a force to increase the productivity. Some players focus on product improvement to meet consumer requirements and likings. Constant innovation in manufacturing of products is anticipated to stimulate product demand.

• According to the European Environment Agency (EEA), over 29.5 million tonnes of plastic waste were collected in the European Union in 2023, and more than 42% of this waste was directed toward recycling facilities equipped with advanced sorting machines. The rise in automated near-infrared (NIR) sorting systems reflects a growing trend toward precision separation and reduced contamination in post-consumer waste.

• The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) reported that the integration of AI-powered sorting systems in material recovery facilities increased sorting efficiency by 18% in 2023 compared to traditional manual sorting. This technological improvement is pushing the demand for high-speed plastic sorting machines across municipal recycling plants.

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PLASTIC SORTING MACHINE MARKET SEGMENTATION

By Type

According to type, the market can be segmented into chute-type sorting machine, belt-type Sorting Machine.

chute-type sorting machine capture the maximum market shares through forecast period.

By Application

According to application, the market can be segmented into plastic flakes and particles, pre-treatment plastics.

Plastic sorting machine market players cover segment as plastic flakes and particles will dominate the market share during forecast period.

DRIVING FACTORS

Increase in demand in various activities to boost the market growth

There is a substantial upsurge in product demand across a variety of end-use industries including the food and beverages, mining, pharmaceutical, and waste recycling sectors. Ecological benefit being one of them which has led towards augmented usage of these devices to leading to a rise in revenue over time.

Technological advancement and development to upsurge the market

Technological advancements and innovation activate unique revenue augmenting opportunity which will upsurge the plastic sorting machine market growth. Growing investment in research and development activities and growing awareness about benefits and shifting from physical sorting activities to automated technologies are expected to deliver profitable opportunities for the market. Constant development are one of the trends in the market in variety of practices.

• According to the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), around 11 million tonnes of plastic enter the oceans every year. To achieve the global goal of reducing marine plastic pollution by 80% by 2040, governments are mandating automated sorting technologies that enhance the segregation of recyclable polymers, directly boosting market growth for sorting machines.

• The Japan Ministry of the Environment stated that its nationwide “Circular Economy Strategy 2023” led to the installation of over 1,200 automated sorting units in industrial recycling zones. This public-sector support for smart waste management infrastructure is a major driver behind the expansion of plastic sorting machine demand.

RESTRAINING FACTORS

High cost of investment to hamper the market growth

High cost is hampering development of plastic sorting machine market. Investment cost required for the industry is not affordable for smaller companies. High initial cost, complex procedure and upkeep condition are involved in the restraining factors. Technical difficulties will reduce the industry revenue.

• According to the European Commission’s Waste Technology Report (2023), the installation cost of AI-enabled sorting lines can reach USD 1.5 million per facility, making it unaffordable for small and medium waste management enterprises. The high initial investment acts as a key barrier to widespread adoption.

• The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) indicated that plastic sorting machines consume up to 40% more electricity than conventional mechanical systems due to their reliance on sensors and image recognition software. This elevated operational cost limits implementation in developing countries where energy efficiency is a major concern.

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PLASTIC SORTING MACHINE MARKET REGIONAL INSIGHTS

North America to dominate the region due to increasing plastic waste management

North America is further expected to witness growth in the plastic sorting machine market share. The region is dominating the market due to rising development of plastic waste processing and management policies and a shift in focus towards recycling accomplishments. The rising administrative and environmental concerns regarding plastic waste management and ecological conversation operations. Upsurge in investments by key market players for the R&D undertakings and enlargement of their production abilities and product portfolios are projected to upsurge the growth. The expansion of regional market is being aided by technological developments.

KEY INDUSTRY PLAYERS

Key players focus on partnerships to gain competitive advantage

The key players are dynamically contributing in strategic events that are aimed at maintaining strong market position and increasing market share by merger, partnerships and others. Key players are motivated to introduce new innovative products. They are spending severely on research and development in order to arise with more new technology so that they can maintain and improve their existing market. The market changes are dynamic such as market expansion, partnership and merger.

• Tomra: According to the Norwegian Ministry of Trade, Industry, and Fisheries, Tomra’s recycling technology handled over 45 billion beverage containers in 2023 through automated return and sorting systems. The company’s innovations in optical sorting continue to strengthen its position in the global plastic recycling infrastructure.

• Pellenc ST: As reported by the French Ministry for Ecological Transition, Pellenc ST deployed more than 2,000 sorting units across 44 countries by 2023, improving recycling efficiency by 22% in mixed plastic waste streams. Their high-speed sensors and AI-based material recognition make them a leading name in advanced waste segregation.

List of Top Plastic Sorting Machine Companies

• Hefei Meyer Optoelectronic Technology Inc. (China)
• Sesotec GmbH (Germany)
• Tomra (Norway)
• Pellenc ST (U.S.)
• Hefei Taihe Optoelectronic Technology Co., Ltd. (China)

REPORT COVERAGE

The report provides scrutiny and information according to market sectors. Business overview, financial overview, product portfolio, new project launch, recent development enquiry are the factors included in the profile. The report incorporates completely examined and appraised evidence of the noticeable players and their position in the market by methods for various descriptive tools. The report covers national and regional level market size and forecast. The report gives businesses the facility to research new prospect in many areas. The report shows to be an operational tool that players can use to gain a competitive superiority over their opponents and ensure lasting achievement in the market.