SpectraCode, Inc.
1291 Cumberland Avenue, Suite B, West Lafayette, IN 47906-1385
'ittpy'/www.spectracade.com
DESCRIPTION OF THE TECHNOLOGY
With support from the Environmental Protection Agency's
(EPA) Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Pro-
gram, SpectraCode, Inc., developed the RP-1 Polymer Iden-
tification System, a laser-based device that enables recy-
clers to easily identify and sort a wide range of plastics.
The current technology for identifying dismantled plastic
materials is slow and dependent on operator accuracy.
SpectraCode's RP-1 is a new spectroscopic device that is
capable of identifying the chemical composition of plas-
tic parts at rates that could ultimately exceed 100 pieces
per second (500 tons per day).
The RP-1 system is an industry-ready device for the manual,
point-and-shoot identification of plastic components, feed-
stocks, and plastic scrap. The RP-1 device consists of a hand-
held probe, which looks like a hair dryer, connected to a
mobile console. The probe illuminates a solid object with
a laser and collects the light scattered from the sample,
much like a bar-code scanner. The device uses the prin-
ciple of Raman spectroscopy to read the information en-
coded in the molecular structure of the plastic itself and
thereby identify its chemical composition.
When a part is illuminated with the laser output of the
probe, it causes the sample's molecules to vibrate. The
vibrations in turn cause the light to scatter in a pattern
that is specific for each type of plastic. The scattered light
is recorded and analyzed by a computer, which displays
the result on a color monitor located on the console. The
entire identification cycle requires less than 1 second. By
eliminating the need to locate and read resin identifica-
tion codes, a single RP-1 system could increase a worker's
rate of manual sorting by more than a factor of four. The
instrument is simple to use because it has no moving parts
and does not require precleaning, processing, or precise
positioning of the plastic waste material. The RP-1 uses
SuperFocal imaging of the scattered light from the plastic
waste to provide an unsurpassed depth of field (5 mm)
that eliminates the need for precise sample alignment.
SIGNIFICANCE OF THE TECHNOLOGY
A number of industries are making advances to bring plas-
tic products with high recycle content to market. To suc-
ceed, these initiatives need a reliable stream of recov-
ered plastic feedstock. Polymers of different composition
are incompatible when melted together. Therefore, cost-
effective methods to sort plastics by individual polymer
are needed. Because the RP-1 reduces the cost of plastics
recycling and improves the purity of recovered product
streams, it will help facilitate the recycling of billions of
pounds of plastics that are being landfilled or inciner-
4- SpectraCode has successfully developed and commercialized the RP-1, a laser-based device that is
capable of identifying the chemical composition of plastic parts at rates that could exceed 100 pieces
per second (500 tons per day).
4- The RP-1 device will help facilitate the recycling of billions of pounds of plastics that are being landfilled or
incinerated every year.
4- The RP-1 system has added value to plastic recycling processes by reducing manpower costs and im-
proving the purity of recovered product streams.
4- SpectraCode's RP-1 currently is used for automotive component recycling and is slated for introduction as a
new-parts process-control diagnostic by a major manufacturer of injection-molded plastic components.
4- In 1998, R&D Magazine selected SpectraCode's device as one of the year's 100 most technologically
significant products.
-------
SpectraCode's RP-1 system is being used to identify the plastic backing on an automobile
headlight. This technology can identify plastics so they can be sorted for recycling, including
plastics that currently are impossible or difficult to sort.
ated every year due to the lack of accurate separation
that is needed to avoid cross contamination during col-
lection. This technology supports EPA's goal to reduce
the quantity of waste requiring disposal.
Applications for which the RP-1 was designed include
the screening of production and packaging waste and
the identification and sorting of commercial and post-
consumer plastic waste in community recycling cen-
ters and transfer stations. The RP-1 device can be used
to sort a wide range of plastics. For example, it can be
used to sort plastic components in cars, synthetic fi-
ber resins in carpets, and a number of plastics used in
the building and construction industry. It also can be
used to sort plastic films such as those found in dry
cleaning bags, shrink wrap, and packaging material.
With simple user modification, SpectraCode's device
can be used for manual process control as a probe for
feedstock identity and purity.
COMMERCIALIZATION SUCCESS
SpectraCode installed RP-1 systems at two large-scale
recycle facilities and in the Detroit Vehicle Recycling
Development Center, a joint research facility of Gen-
eral Motors, Ford, and Chrysler. Ford Motor Company's
automotive component operations, now known as
Visteon, has supported development of the RP-1 and is
using the product in its recycling efforts. About 75 per-
cent of the typical Ford vehicle is recyclable at the end
of its working life, and the company believes that the
RP-1 device will help increase that percentage in the
future. SpectraCode is marketing the RP-1 to other au-
tomobile manufacturers and large-scale recyclers as well
as plastic molders and resin formulators that can use the
diagnostic capabilities of the RP-1 for process control.
AWARDS AND COMPANY HISTORY
p> _cj In recognition of SpectraCode's technological
'[/ achievement, the RP-1 device was named one
«' of the 100 most technologically significant prod-
fc ucts and processes of 1998 by R&D Magazine.
The RP-1 device was recognized as one of the
Top 25 Technologies of 1998 by Industry Week.
The technology also earned SpectraCode the prestigious
Tibbetts Award and Henry Ford Technology Award in 1999.
SpectraCode, a research and manufacturing company
with close ties to Purdue University, was founded in 1994.
In its first year of incorporation, SpectraCode was
awarded a Phase I SBIR award from EPA to support de-
velopment of the RP-1. In 1995, EPA awarded the com-
pany a Phase II grant to continue developing and test-
ing the technology.
EPA's Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Program was created to assist small businesses in
transforming innovative ideas Into commercial products. The SBIR Program has two phases—Phase I is
the feasibility study to determine the validity of the proposed concept and Phase II is the development of
the technology or product proven feasible in Phase I. EPA also offers Phase II Options to accelerate the
commercialization of SBIR technologies and to complete EPA's Environmental Technology Verification
(ETV) Program. For more information about EPA's SBIR Program and the National Center for Environmental
Research, visit http://www.epa.gov/ncer/sbir.
------- |