China’s first fully automated textile waste sorting line has started operations at at Zhangjiagang Shanhesheng Environmental Technology, based in Zhangjiagang, Jiangsu province.

Developed and manufactured by Databeyond Technology, the line integrates AI and hyperspectral imaging technologies to deliver the automated, high-precision sorting of discarded garments. The installation marks the entry of China’s textile recycling sector into the era of AI-driven sorting.

The line has a processing capacity of approximately two tons per hour and is capable of high-precision separation across multiple material types, including high-purity polyester (over 90%), high-purity cotton (over 90%), high-purity nylon (over 90%) and polyester and nylon blends with elastane.

The system not only identifies garment material, colour and style, but can also determine blend ratios enabling it to meet the specific requirements of brand owners. Compared with traditional operations where more than 30 workers are required to sort approximately 15 tons of post-consumer textiles in a single eight-hour shift, the new line delivers the same throughput with only four workers, substantially reducing labour needs and cutting operating costs.

“Through our collaboration with Databeyond, we have taken the first step toward the transformation of textile waste recycling,” said Ms Feng, general manager of Shanhesheng Environmental Technology. “Looking ahead, we plan to introduce sorting lines for shredded garments and factory offcuts, enabling automated sorting from whole garments to shredded feedstock and providing brand owners with higher-value recycled fibers and materials.

“The launch of this project provides a scalable model of sustainable sorting for textile waste companies and signifies a milestone for China’s circular textile economy. Through ongoing innovation, we aim to accelerate the shift from manual to intelligent sorting and from fragmented to industrial operations, supporting the global textile industry’s transition towards circular growth.”

Shortly after commissioning, Shanhesheng received a 200-ton order for high-purity post-consumer textiles from a global apparel company. In the past, fulfiling such an order would have required dozens of workers and extensive manual sorting. Now, with the new line and only a handful of staff for support, the order can be completed with far greater efficiency.

As China’s largest supplier of AI-based optical sorters, DataBeyond has accumulated extensive waste sorting experience. Currently, thousands of its optical sorters are serving the global renewable resource recycling industry.

www.databeyond.com