Spross Triples Down on Investment in Safe Sorting with ZenRobotics

Swiss-based, family business, Spross Transport & Recycling AG has further invested into ZenRobotics robot technologies to recover more valuable fractions at their Spross Recyclingwerk Zurich RWZ site. This facility processes 180,000 tonnes of construction waste and bulky household waste annually. Spross provides recycled waste across Switzerland and the safe sorting approach is one that ensures they quickly and safely are able to sort waste efficiently and send to recovery facilities where the waste is reused.

Sorting more fractions at the speed of up to 6000 picks per hour

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Spross began working with ZenRobotics back in 2019 with an aim to increase the efficiency of their waste recycling. Manager of Disposal Services at Spross, Josef Binzegger has been so impressed by the ZenRobotics safe sorting robots that he, along with the team at Spross, have decided that they warrant further investment.

Spross will triple the amount of Heavy Picker robot arms at their RWZ facility in 2022 to have more fractions sorted at up to 6000 picks per hour – allowing them to earn more from valuable fractions or reduce the cost of elimination. So far, the robot’s been recovering mainly concrete and stone for concrete production, as well as wood and plastics and some metals. New materials can be added to the robots AI with ease, so that they can also be picked and sorted safely and therefore minimising any risk towards the team at Spross.

"We are working 13 meters above ground and what amazed me was that these robots work perfectly in these difficult surroundings. This environment is dusty, it is not heated, and the ground vibrates all the time." Josef Binzegger, Manager of Disposal Services at Spross.

The waste sorting robot is reliable even in challenging conditions

It is plain to see that the conditions at Spross can be challenging and have the potential to become risky and unsafe for human interaction, therefore the safe sorting of these robots is the perfect addition to the team. Juha Mieskonen, Head of Sales for ZenRobotics says that, “Our robots are custom made and are a perfect fit for this plant despite the challenging environment. Because our waste sorting robots work so well under challenging circumstances, they have increased work safety by replacing manual labour, and have created a workplace that actively promotes safe sorting. Thanks to the robot’s high-performance and reliability, the team at Spross have been able to increase their own production.”

Easy to operate and functional

The waste sorting robot can sort up to four different types of fractions and can be programmed to detect new sorts of waste simply by running the waste through it and telling the robot that this item needs to be collected. This along with the speed and precision that the robots picked with helped Binzegger with the decision of further investment.

ZenRobotics allows Spross to keep up with legal and commercial requirements and is able to adapt to waste regulation changes with ease. The waste sorting robot is also very easy to use via a touch screen.

“If you know how to use an iPhone, you also know how to use this robot with no difficulties”, Binzegger ensures.

ZenRobotics are delighted to have not only a further investment in their technology but are grateful to be furthering their existing working relationship with Spross. This significant “tripling down” on robots at Spross really personifies not only the robots and the technology that ZenRobotics provide but also the aftercare and on-running relationship that is maintained with customers. These are factors that helped massively when Spross were considering this significant investment.