The size of the optical sorter market was anticipated at USD1.5bn in the year 2017 and is predicted to touch USD3bn in 2024, rising with a CAGR of 9% between 2018 – 2024, as per research done by Global Market Insights, Inc.

The data also explains how rising improvements in the field of detection technologies will drive the industrial demand in a time when automated sorting solutions are experiencing a high adoption in several sectors.

These optical sorters allow the companies to detect the quality of the products with maximum accuracy and reliability. They help in separating different grades of materials from the waste stream using several sensing methods. The sensing technologies that are widely used in the optical sorter market include inductive metal detectors, high-resolution color cameras, and X-ray fluorescence. These technologies detect the molecular structure and identify the defects present in the products thereby rejecting it from the slot.

NIR sorting machines are witnessing a high growth in the optical sorter industry, owing to their rising adoption in the pharmaceutical industry as well as in waste recycling.

Belt sorting systems are also experiencing a high adoption in this market owing to the increased efficiency of the machines in performing the separation process. These systems consist of a conveyor belt that guides the defective materials to the detection zones. Applications of these systems for the sorting of fruits, vegetables, and nuts are expected to considerably propel their demand in the optical sorter industry.