Optical Sorter Market - Global Industry Size, Share, Trends, Opportunity, and Forecast, Segmented By Platform (Hybrid Platform, Lane Platform, Freefall Platform, and Belt Platform), By Type (Hyperspectral Cameras, Near-Infrared Sorting Systems, Combined Sorters, Lasers, and Cameras), By Application (Recycling Industry, Mining Industry, and Food Processing Industry), By Region, By Competition, 2021-2031F

Forecast Period	2027-2031
Market Size (2025)	USD 2.95 Billion
CAGR (2026-2031)	10.91%
Fastest Growing Segment	Food Processing Industry
Largest Market	North America
Market Size (2031)	USD 5.49 Billion

Market Overview

The Global Optical Sorter Market will grow from USD 2.95 Billion in 2025 to USD 5.49 Billion by 2031 at a 10.91% CAGR. Optical sorters are automated inspection systems that employ cameras, lasers, and sensors to segregate items based on specific characteristics such as color, shape, or material composition. The market growth is largely sustained by the increasing necessity for automated quality assurance in food production and the rising efficiency requirements within the waste management sector. This operational reliance on advanced machinery is evidenced by substantial trade activity in the industries that utilize these sorters. According to VDMA, in 2024, the global trade volume for food processing and packaging machinery reached approximately 54.5 billion euros. This figure underscores the robust industrial demand for equipment that ensures product purity and compliance with safety standards across international markets.

Nevertheless, a significant challenge hindering broader market expansion is the substantial capital expenditure associated with implementing these technologies. High installation and long-term maintenance costs often deter small and medium enterprises from adopting such automated solutions, thereby limiting market penetration in regions with strict budget constraints.

Key Market Drivers

The expansion of waste recycling and circular economy initiatives is a primary force propelling the Global Optical Sorter Market. Governments worldwide are enforcing stricter environmental mandates, compelling facilities to adopt high-precision automated technologies for separating complex material streams and achieving higher purity rates in recovered materials. This regulatory pressure is translating directly into increased capital investment for sorting machinery within the waste management sector, as operators seek to maximize yield and comply with sustainability targets. According to TOMRA Systems ASA, February 2025, in the '4th quarter 2024' report, revenues in the Recycling division increased by 37% to 103 million euros compared to the same quarter in the previous year. This significant revenue surge underscores the critical role optical sorters play in meeting statutory recycling targets and managing the growing volume of global waste.

Stringent global food safety and quality regulations serve as the second major driver, necessitating the adoption of automated inspection systems to eliminate contaminants and ensure brand protection. As processed food production intensifies, manufacturers are increasingly relying on optical sorting to detect minute foreign objects that manual labor cannot consistently identify, ensuring compliance with international hygiene standards. This operational reliance on advanced processing equipment is evident in the significant financial turnovers reported by key industry players. According to the Bühler Group, March 2024, in the 'Annual Report 2023', the Grains & Food segment generated a turnover of 2,204 million Swiss Francs, highlighting the substantial investment in food processing technologies. Furthermore, the broader machinery market reflects this upward trajectory; according to PMMI, November 2024, in the '2024 State of the Industry' report, U.S. packaging machinery shipments grew by 5.8% to reach 10.9 billion dollars in 2023.

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Key Market Challenges

The primary obstacle impeding the expansion of the Global Optical Sorter Market is the substantial financial burden associated with the acquisition and upkeep of these automated systems. High initial capital expenditures for installation, coupled with significant ongoing maintenance costs, create a formidable barrier to entry, particularly for small and medium-sized enterprises. These financial demands often outweigh the perceived immediate benefits of automation, causing companies with limited liquidity to postpone modernization or continue relying on less efficient manual sorting methods.

This reluctance to invest is quantifiable in the recent performance of the industries that rely heavily on this equipment. The impact of restricted capital spending is evident in the contraction of the machinery sector that integrates these sorters. According to VDMA, in 2024, production in the food processing and packaging machinery sector declined by nearly 2 percent to 16.1 billion euros due to weak investment activity. Such a downturn demonstrates how budget constraints and cost sensitivity are directly curtailing the adoption rate of advanced inspection technologies, thereby slowing the overall momentum of the market.

Key Market Trends

The Expansion of Optical Sorting Applications into Mining is emerging as a critical trend, driven by the global decline in high-grade ore reserves and the imperative for water-efficient processing methods. Mining operators are increasingly deploying advanced X-ray Transmission (XRT) and sensor-based sorting technologies for pre-concentration, which allows for the early rejection of barren waste rock before energy-intensive comminution stages. This strategic adoption helps facilities lower operational costs and reduce their environmental footprint. The growing commercial momentum for these industrial applications is evident in recent financial performance; according to TOMRA Systems ASA, February 2025, in the '4th quarter 2024' report, the order intake for the Recycling division, which encompasses the company’s mining sorting portfolio, increased by 15% to reach 76 million euros.

Simultaneously, a Shift Towards Service-Based Business Models and Digital Twin Technology is redefining vendor-client relationships within the market. Manufacturers are moving beyond simple machinery sales to offer comprehensive lifecycle management packages, leveraging IoT-enabled remote monitoring to predict component failures and optimize system performance in real-time. This "servitization" strategy addresses the industry's need for sustained uptime and mitigates the impact of technical skill shortages. The financial impact of this evolution is substantial; according to the Bühler Group, March 2025, in the 'Annual Report 2024', the company’s Customer Service business, which integrates these digital solutions and retrofits, achieved a turnover growth of 9.4% to account for 35.4% of the group's total revenue.

Segmental Insights

The Food Processing Industry represents the fastest-growing segment in the Global Optical Sorter Market, fueled by the critical need for enhanced product safety and operational efficiency. Manufacturers are increasingly integrating optical sorting technology to comply with rigorous quality standards enforced by regulatory entities such as the Food and Drug Administration, which mandate the precise detection of foreign materials and defects to prevent contamination. This expansion is further accelerated by the sector's drive toward automation to mitigate labor challenges and minimize yield loss. Consequently, these systems are becoming essential for ensuring regulatory compliance and maintaining consumer trust.

Regional Insights

North America maintains a leading position in the Global Optical Sorter Market, driven by the extensive integration of automated systems within the food processing and recycling industries. This dominance is largely supported by stringent safety and quality standards established by regulatory entities such as the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). These strict guidelines compel manufacturers to utilize automated sorting technologies to detect foreign materials and ensure product consistency. Furthermore, the strong industrial base in the United States and Canada fosters consistent demand for efficient sorting solutions to adhere to regulatory compliance and improve operational workflows.

Recent Developments

• In September 2024, Pellenc ST launched CNS BRAIN, an artificial intelligence module dedicated to improving the accuracy of paper sorting streams. This innovation combines deep learning with near-infrared and visible spectroscopy technologies to handle complex separation tasks, such as distinguishing magazines from coated cardboard or white cardboard from office paper. The company stated that the solution enhances detection capabilities and sorting performance without requiring additional hardware or increased energy consumption. By integrating this AI technology, the manufacturer aimed to help recycling centers adapt to changing waste stream compositions and achieve higher purity rates in fibrous material recovery.
• In July 2024, Key Technology introduced the Compass optical sorter, specifically engineered for processing individually quick frozen (IQF) products such as fruits, vegetables, and seafood. The new system features an ergonomic user interface and recipe-driven programming, designed to simplify operation for personnel with varying technical skills. According to the company, the sorter utilizes in-air inspection technology to detect and remove foreign materials like plastic, glass, and metal, as well as product defects, ensuring food safety. The launch provided processors with a flexible, high-accuracy solution capable of identifying imperfections and accommodating frequent product changeovers on high-capacity production lines.
• In May 2024, Steinert presented several new sorting solutions at the IFAT trade fair in Munich, including the STEINERT PLASMAX | LIBS and the UniSort Finealyse+. The PLASMAX | LIBS system was introduced to efficiently separate aluminium scrap into three distinct product classes in a single cycle, utilizing multi-spot laser analysis for precise alloy detection. Concurrently, the company showcased the UniSort Finealyse+, designed to increase throughput and sorting quality for fine-grain bulk materials like plastic flakes and copper scrap. These launches underscored the company's focus on advancing circular economy capabilities through high-precision sensor technology and improved material recovery rates.
• In April 2024, TOMRA Recycling launched GAINnext, a deep learning-based sorting technology designed to enhance the purity of recycled food-grade plastics. This new solution utilizes artificial intelligence to classify objects based on sensor data, enabling the separation of difficult-to-distinguish materials such as food-grade PET, PP, and HDPE from non-food contaminants. The company highlighted that this technology resolves long-standing industry challenges in differentiating visually similar packaging types. By integrating this deep learning add-on into its existing sorting systems, the manufacturer aimed to automate complex sorting tasks and support the production of high-quality recyclates required for bottle-to-bottle processes.

Key Market Players

• TOMRA Systems ASA
• Bühler Holding AG
• Satake Corporation
• Key Technology, Inc.
• Charoen Pokphand Group Co., Ltd.
• Nantong Haisheng Optical Co., Ltd.
• Eagle Vizion Inc.
• China International Marine Containers Group Co., Ltd.
• Sesotec GmbH
• MSS Inc.

By Platform	By Type	By Application	By Region
Hybrid Platform Lane Platform Freefall Platform and Belt Platform	Hyperspectral Cameras Near-Infrared Sorting Systems Combined Sorters Lasers and Cameras	Recycling Industry Mining Industry and Food Processing Industry	North America Europe Asia Pacific South America Middle East & Africa

Report Scope:

In this report, the Global Optical Sorter Market has been segmented into the following categories, in addition to the industry trends which have also been detailed below:

• Optical Sorter Market, By Platform:

• Hybrid Platform
• Lane Platform
• Freefall Platform
• and Belt Platform

• Optical Sorter Market, By Type:

• Hyperspectral Cameras
• Near-Infrared Sorting Systems
• Combined Sorters
• Lasers
• and Cameras

• Optical Sorter Market, By Application:

• Recycling Industry
• Mining Industry
• and Food Processing Industry

• Optical Sorter Market, By Region:

• North America
• United States
• Canada
• Mexico
• Europe
• France
• United Kingdom
• Italy
• Germany
• Spain
• Asia Pacific
• China
• India
• Japan
• Australia
• South Korea
• South America
• Brazil
• Argentina
• Colombia
• Middle East & Africa
• South Africa
• Saudi Arabia
• UAE