Sorting batteries safely and efficiently
At Sortbat in Tienen, we sort used household batteries collected by Bebat in Belgium, as well as from partners abroad. In this state-of-the-art battery sorting facility, over 500,000 batteries pass along the conveyor belt every single day.
Why is sorting batteries so important?
Not all batteries are the same. Different battery types contain different materials that require tailored recycling methods. That’s why sorting them correctly is essential. At Sortbat, we’re proud to lead the way with a 99.5% accuracy rate in sorting: a European record!
- Miloud Lekfif, Chief Operations OfficerCans, light bulbs, even nappies. Some things just don’t belong in battery bins. Luckily, our team removes them all with care.
Sorting batteries step by step
No matter where you deposit your batteries in Belgium — whether it’s a supermarket, a DIY store or a recycling centre — they all travel to Tienen, Belgium, in ASP’s: drums of around 60 kg. This is where the sorting process of the different types of batteries begins.
Every battery that arrives at Sortbat enters the sorting process through a wide conveyor belt. Large batteries, for example from e-bikes, power tools or lighting, are carefully removed by our staff.
These are immediately sorted based on their chemical composition: electronic devices with built-in batteries or rechargeable lithium, alkaline, lead, NiMH and NiCd packs.
Plastic bags or other non-battery waste is also filtered out at this stage. The remaining flow moves through a sieve system to separate smaller items like AA/AAA batteries and vermiculite.
The sieve separates batteries in several fractions based on their respective sizes.
In the first step, the smallest parts are separated. These are the button cells and small debris, together with vermiculite. This fraction will not go through the next steps of the sorting process and is disposed of and recycled appropriately.
The second step separates individual batteries from battery packs. The sieve features an optimised layout for this separation. Individual batteries are transported to the feeding device, while battery packs go directly to the characterisation unit.
The individual batteries and the battery packs are transported to the singulator, via their respective feeding channels, where they are put in single lines and pass through to the characterisation unit for sorting.
The final and most advanced step is our AI-based sorting. As battery-powered devices continue to multiply, so does the complexity of sorting these batteries. That’s why Sortbat developed Xbat.ai in collaboration with VITO, a Belgian research leader in sustainability.
Using a combination of artificial intelligence (AI) and X-ray scanning, Xbat.ai accurately identifies all household battery types, even if they are corroded. From button cells to battery packs, this automated system classifies batteries by chemistry: lithium, alkaline, zinc-carbon and more.
Once identified, each battery is automatically placed into the correct container, ready for safe, compliant and traceable recycling. This technology enhances safety, reduces costs and sets a new industry standard for battery sorting.
Need support with battery sorting?
We’re happy to support international partners with expert sorting services. Contact us to discuss the possibilities.
