Waste Sorting Equipment Market Size & Growth Report to 2030

Key Findings:

• The market size was valued at over US$ 1 Bn in 2023 and growing at a significant CAGR of ~ 12% by 2030
• By equipment type, the conveyor systems segment held the largest revenue share of the global market in the benchmark year 2023
• Geographically, the Europe is estimated to hold a significant revenue share of the global market in 2023

The global waste sorting equipment market size was valued at over USD 1 billion in 2023 and anticipated to grow at a significant CAGR of around 12% during the forecast period from 2024 to 2030. The market is primarily driven by a combination of regulatory pressures, technological advancements, and increasing environmental awareness. Stringent regulations regarding waste management and recycling, coupled with growing concerns about environmental sustainability, are compelling governments and industries to invest in efficient waste sorting solutions. Advancements in sorting technologies, such as optical sorting and sensor-based systems, are enhancing the efficiency and accuracy of waste sorting processes, further driving market growth. Additionally, economic incentives for recycling, expansion of waste-to-energy facilities, and the rise of public-private partnerships in waste management initiatives are stimulating market demand. Moreover, urbanization, infrastructure development, and corporate sustainability goals are fueling the need for waste sorting equipment to manage escalating waste volumes and achieve resource conservation objectives, thereby propelling the market forward.

Market Snapshot:

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Market Trends:

Adoption of Advanced Technologies: The market is witnessing a significant shift towards advanced sorting technologies such as optical sorting, sensor-based sorting, artificial intelligence (AI), and machine learning (ML) algorithms. These technologies enable more precise and efficient sorting of various types of waste materials, improving overall recycling rates and reducing contamination.

Integration of Robotics and Automation: Robotics and automation are increasingly being integrated into waste sorting equipment to enhance productivity, reduce labor costs, and improve sorting accuracy. Automated systems can efficiently handle repetitive tasks and operate 24/7, contributing to higher throughput and operational efficiency.

Emphasis on Material Recovery and Circular Economy: There is a growing emphasis on material recovery and the transition towards a circular economy model. Waste sorting equipment is being designed to maximize the recovery of valuable materials from waste streams, thereby reducing reliance on virgin resources and promoting sustainability.

Modular and Scalable Solutions: Manufacturers are developing modular and scalable waste sorting equipment solutions to cater to the diverse needs of different industries and applications. These solutions offer flexibility in configuration, allowing users to adapt to changing waste compositions and processing requirements easily.

Increased Focus on Data Analytics and Insights: Data analytics and insights are becoming integral to waste sorting equipment, enabling operators to monitor performance, optimize processes, and make informed decisions. Integration of IoT (Internet of Things) sensors and cloud-based platforms facilitates real-time monitoring and predictive maintenance, improving overall equipment efficiency.

Market Opportunities:

The waste sorting equipment market presents several promising opportunities driven by increasing regulatory pressures, technological advancements, and growing environmental consciousness. One key opportunity lies in the expansion of recycling infrastructure, particularly in emerging economies where rapid urbanization and industrialization are leading to higher waste generation rates. Additionally, there is a growing demand for advanced sorting technologies and automation solutions to improve sorting accuracy, increase throughput, and reduce operational costs. The rising focus on material recovery and the circular economy presents opportunities for waste sorting equipment manufacturers to develop innovative solutions that maximize resource efficiency and promote sustainability.

Market Challenges:

Despite the opportunities, the waste sorting equipment market faces several challenges that could hinder its growth trajectory. One major challenge is the high initial investment required for implementing advanced sorting technologies and automation solutions, which may deter smaller players or organizations with limited financial resources from adopting these technologies. Additionally, the complexity of waste streams, including variability in composition and contamination levels, poses challenges for achieving efficient and accurate sorting. Moreover, inadequate waste management infrastructure and regulatory frameworks in certain regions can impede market growth by limiting the demand for waste sorting equipment and recycling services.

Market Insights:

The global waste sorting equipment market is bifurcated into equipment, type of waste, end-user, and geography. On the basis of equipment, the market is further segmented into conveyor systems, screening equipment, magnetic separators, balers, and others. The conveyor systems emerge as the dominant segment owing to their pivotal role in streamlining the movement and sorting of waste materials throughout recycling facilities. Serving as the backbone of waste management operations, conveyor systems facilitate the continuous and efficient transportation of various waste streams, including municipal solid waste (MSW), recyclables, and industrial waste, between different processing stages. Their versatility and adaptability allow for customization to accommodate diverse material types and processing requirements, while their integration with other sorting equipment ensures seamless workflow and optimal resource recovery. Additionally, advancements in conveyor technology, such as automation and predictive maintenance features, further enhance efficiency and reliability, making conveyor systems indispensable for maximizing throughput and operational excellence in waste sorting facilities.

Conveyor Systems: Conveyor systems are fundamental components of waste sorting facilities, facilitating the movement of waste materials throughout the sorting process. They are used to transport various types of waste, including municipal solid waste (MSW), recyclables, and industrial waste, efficiently and continuously. Conveyor systems help streamline operations, improve throughput, and enable automated sorting by transporting materials to different sorting stations or equipment.

Screening Equipment: Screening equipment, such as trommel screens and vibrating screens, is utilized to segregate waste materials based on size or particle characteristics. This equipment separates larger items from smaller ones and removes fines or contaminants, thereby optimizing the efficiency of downstream sorting processes. Screening equipment is essential for pre-sorting waste streams, enhancing sorting accuracy, and maximizing resource recovery.

Magnetic Separators: Magnetic separators are employed to extract ferrous metals from waste streams through magnetic attraction. These separators utilize powerful magnets to capture and remove magnetic materials, such as iron and steel, from mixed waste materials. Magnetic separators are commonly used in recycling facilities to recover ferrous metals from recyclable materials like aluminum cans, glass bottles, and plastic containers, contributing to material recovery and resource conservation efforts.

Balers: Balers are machinery used to compress and compact waste materials into dense, manageable bales for storage, transportation, or recycling. They are particularly utilized for processing recyclable materials such as cardboard, paper, plastic, and metal. Balers help reduce waste volume, optimize storage space, and facilitate handling and transportation of recyclable materials, thereby improving operational efficiency and cost-effectiveness.

Others: This category encompasses a diverse range of waste sorting equipment, including optical sorters, eddy current separators, air classifiers, shredders, and compactors, among others. Optical sorters use optical sensors and cameras to identify and sort materials based on their optical properties, such as color, shape, and texture. Eddy current separators are designed to separate non-ferrous metals from non-metallic materials using electromagnetic induction.

The waste sorting equipment market research report presents the analysis of each segment from 2020 to 2030 considering 2023 as the base year for the research. The compounded annual growth rate (CAGR) for each respective segment is calculated for the forecast period from 2024 to 2030.

Historical & Forecast Period

• 2020-22 – Historical Year
• 2023 – Base Year
• 2024-2030 – Forecast Period

Market Segmentation:

By Equipment:

• Conveyor Systems
• Screening Equipment
• Magnetic Separators
• Balers
• Others

By Waste Type:

• Municipal Solid Waste (MSW)
• Industrial Waste
• Construction & Demolition Waste
• Electronic Waste (E-Waste)
• Others

By End-User:

• Municipalities
• Recycling Facilities
• Construction & Demolition Sites
• Industrial Facilities
• Commercial Establishments
• Others

By Region:

• North America
• Europe
• Asia Pacific
• Latin America
• Middle East & Africa

Regional Analysis:

Geographically, Europe is accounted to hold a significant revenue share of the global waste sorting equipment market in the benchmark year 2023. Europe has been at the forefront of implementing comprehensive waste management policies and fostering a circular economy approach. The European Union (EU) has set ambitious targets for recycling and waste diversion, driving significant investments in waste sorting infrastructure and technologies. Additionally, the region’s dense population and urbanization have led to substantial waste generation rates, further necessitating efficient waste sorting solutions. Consequently, European countries have witnessed widespread adoption of advanced waste sorting technologies, including optical sorting systems, magnetic separators, and conveyor systems, to achieve higher recycling rates and reduce landfilling. Moreover, strong governmental support, along with public awareness campaigns and incentives for recycling, has propelled market growth in the region.

Competitive Landscape:

Some of the leading market players operating in the global waste sorting equipment market are STEINERT GmbH, TOMRA, MSS, Inc., Green Machine, and Beston (Henan) Machinery Co., Ltd. Companies are exploring markets by expansion, new investment, the introduction of new services, and collaboration as their preferred strategies. Players are exploring new geography through expansion and acquisition to gain a competitive advantage through joint synergy.

Key Companies:

• STEINERT GmbH
• TOMRA
• MSS, Inc.
• Green Machine
• Beston (Henan) Machinery Co., Ltd.
• CP Manufacturing, Inc.
• Kingtiger (Shanghai) Environmental Technology Co., Ltd.
• REDWAVE (Parent: BT-Wolfgang Binder GmbH)
• Buhler Group
• Coparm Srl

Key Questions Answered by Waste Sorting Equipment Market Report

• Global waste sorting equipment market forecasts from 2024-2030
• Regional market forecasts from 2024-2030 covering Asia-Pacific, North America, Europe, Middle East & Africa, and Latin America
• Country-level forecasts from 2024-2030 covering 15 major countries from the regions as mentioned above
• Waste sorting equipment submarket forecasts from 2024-2030 covering the market by equipment, waste type, end-user, and geography
• Various industry models such as SWOT analysis, Value Chain Analysis about the market
• Analysis of the key factors driving and restraining the growth of the global, regional, and country-level waste sorting equipment markets from 2024-2030
• Competitive Landscape and market positioning of top 10 players operating in the market