Expanded support for the Americas
With the new center, Tomra is strengthening customer support at its Americas headquarters. The site is designed to support recyclers through equipment testing, application development, operator and maintenance training, and service-related activities across the machinery lifecycle. The additional warehouse space is also intended to improve parts availability and reduce response times for customers in the region.
Sorting technologies for waste and plastics
The 425 sq m facility is equipped to test both waste and plastic materials using Tomra’s latest sensor-based sorting systems. Its test circuit includes the latest generation of Autosort with the company’s GAINnext deep learning technology.
Autosort is designed for a range of applications including municipal solid waste, paper, plastics and packaging. Through a flexible sensor configuration, the system can be adapted to different material streams and market requirements. GAINnext adds AI-based visual classification for objects that are difficult to identify with conventional sorting methods, supporting higher recovery rates and improved output purity.
For plastic flake applications, the center also includes Autosort Flake and Innosort Flake. Innosort Flake combines near-infrared spectroscopy with dual-sided, high-resolution camera imaging to detect both polymer types and colors in mixed, contaminated flake streams. Autosort Flake combines an NIR spectrometer, full-color camera and metal sensor for the production of high-purity plastic fractions.
The test circuit also incorporates the Waste Analyzer from PolyPerception. The system uses deep learning and color cameras to monitor material flow at different points in the process. It captures data on throughput, material composition and yield loss, providing operators with real-time process visibility and performance information.
Greater testing flexibility
According to Tomra, the new Test & Training Center will give customers in the region more testing capacity, shorter lead times and greater flexibility in scheduling trials. The company also links the center to its wider global research and development activities in optical sorting and AI-based applications.
Broader training offer
The facility also expands Tomra’s training capabilities in North America. In addition to customer-focused maintenance and performance training, the center will be used for training Tomra service technicians.
Tomra has announced two one-day customer courses. Operational Maintenance Training covers basic machine operation and safety, performance data backup, system restoration, preventive maintenance and fault-code diagnostics. The Maximizing Performance Training course focuses on advanced machine settings, performance evaluation, process stabilization and machine condition diagnostics.
Part of a global network
The Charlotte site becomes one of seven Tomra Test & Training Centers worldwide. The company says the new location is intended to align with the standards of its existing sites in Europe and Asia, giving recyclers in the Americas local access to the same testing, training and technical support structure available in other regions.
