Denmark's first robotic sorting plant for construction waste opens

Solum, a Danish recycling company, has inaugurated the first robotic facility dedicated to the sorting of construction waste in Denmark. The new plant, located in Roskilde, represents a milestone step forward in the country's green transition efforts in a sector responsible for almost 40 percent of Denmark's total waste output. 

Designed to drastically increase recycling rates, the robot, manufactured by ZenRobotics, will enable more precise and efficient sorting, reduce landfill waste, and significantly cut carbon emissions. The opening ceremony was held on October 7, 2024, and was attended by prominent figures, including Kaare Dybvad Bek, minister for immigration and integration, and Deputy Mayor of Holbæk, Camilla Hove Lund who both commended the industry's shift toward a more circular economy.

With advanced sensor technology, the robot is capable of sorting waste into specific recyclable fractions, such as wood, plastic, metal, and concrete, achieving up to 90 percent purity in separated materials. This is a vast improvement over traditional manual sorting methods, which previously achieved only around ten percent recycling efficiency. 

"This facility is a milestone not only for Solum but for Denmark's broader vision of sustainability," said Christian B. S. Christensen, Solum's CEO and founder. "Solum has always embraced innovation, and today we are ushering in a new era for construction waste management. With the capacity to process 25,000 tonnes of construction waste annually and perform 40 sorting operations per minute, the robot offers both immediate environmental benefits and long-term adaptability. The robot's learning capacity enables it to evolve with industry needs, ensuring it remains responsive to future waste management challenges and material advancements."

The event concluded with a tour and Q&A session, where media representatives and industry experts discussed the long-term impacts of robotic sorting on the construction sector. 

Rainer Rehn, regional sales manager for ZenRobotics said, "By embracing our advanced waste sorting robots, Solum is in a position to make a significant contribution to Denmark's circularity goals and reduce the country's dependence on raw materials. This inaugural event marks a pivotal step in Denmark's mission to increase its circularity, which according to the Circularity Gap Report, is only four per cent—a figure the country aims to substantially improve as it drives sustainable resource utilization."