Optical Sorter Market - Forecasts from 2024 to 2029

The optical sorter market is evaluated at US$3.507 billion for the year 2022 growing at a CAGR of 9.16% reaching the market size of US$6.475 billion by the year 2029.

A solid products sorter or optical sorter is a dedicated automated machine used for sorting. In an optical sorter, the sorting is carried out automatically by several dedicated systems. Objects are sorted by various parameters, including color, size, shape, structure, chemical make-up, agricultural seeds, coffee, confectioneries, fruits, nuts, meat, and industrial minerals or precious metals. Globally, the optical sorter market is primarily driven by the increasing automation in industries that increase productivity and the growing need in the food industry to reduce the length of delivery and processing procedures. The market is also experiencing growth due to the strict government regulations regarding food security as well as the increased labor costs associated with these regulations. The market is becoming more competitive, with companies continually launching new products; for instance, Satake USA announced the launch of the FMSR-IR optical sorter at Pack Expo Las Vegas in October 2020. Satake's FMSR-IR series combines Satake's latest RGB technology, IR imaging, and shape-sorting technologies in a single machine that removes unwanted materials like discoloration, foreign items, as well as irregular shapes from seeds and nuts. The TOMRA 3C optical sorting system was introduced by Tomara in May 2020, providing unparalleled sorting efficiency and yields.

In the global market, various factors drive demand. With Artificial Intelligence growing in almost every industrial sector as well as a variety of end-user industries, the global optical sorter market is anticipated to experience high growth.  An optical sorter has numerous advantages, including increased productivity, quality commodities, and labor cost reduction. Other advances in technologies also contribute to the smooth operation of automated sorter systems, leading to higher market growth during the forecast period.

MARKET DRIVERS:

Growing utilization of optical sorter in food industry.

Optical sorters have been able to improve product quality, optimize yield, and recognize various processing aspects because of recent advancements in detector technology and intelligent software. Although optical sorters have made tremendous strides, manufacturers still face several challenges, mainly in the way that they are difficult to operate. These challenges are being met by new software developments that provide consumers with easy-to-use machines that control rejection specifications. There is a growing need for optical sorters in the food industry as delivery and processing times need to be reduced considerably to expand production capacity.

Increased need for quality control is anticipated to significantly upsurge the market.

The optical sorters market is growing as a result of the increased demand for quality control. Optical sorting technologies become essential tools as firms from all sectors increase their focus on meeting strict requirements and providing high-quality goods. During the production process, optical sorters with sophisticated sensors and cameras offer an accurate and effective way to locate and remove subpar or damaged goods. Optical sorting is vital for guaranteeing the elimination of impurities and upholding safety regulations in sectors like food and beverage, where product quality is critical. The requirement to adhere to regulatory criteria about food safety, environmental sustainability, and overall product quality assurance amplifies the need for optical sorters.

MARKET RESTRAINTS:

High cost:

The cost of optical sorting equipment is higher because it uses advanced technologies. However, optical sorters come at a high initial cost, which can deter potential end-users with controlled budgets even though they can help increase productivity and improve product quality. Since it is expensive initially, many users cannot afford to use it under tight budgets. As an advanced technology, this automated sorter system is expensive and therefore cannot be purchased by all, which hampers the market's growth.

The North American optical sorter market is anticipated to grow significantly.

Numerous important factors that together contribute to the growing usage of optical sorting technologies across various sectors are driving the North American optical sorter market. The usage of optical sorters in the food and beverage industry has increased due to the region's strong emphasis on quality control and food safety. These technologies effectively identify and remove impurities and faulty goods. In line with sustainability objectives, environmental consciousness, and recycling programs have also encouraged the installation of optical sorters in recycling facilities. The precision and capacities of optical sorters are improved by developments in sensor technology, especially in cameras and hyperspectral imaging, which makes them more appealing to companies looking for innovative solutions.

Key Developments:

• In October 2023, The FP7000 spectral cell sorter, which uses proprietary spectral technology-based optics, sophisticated electronics, and fluidics to provide high-speed, high-parameter sorting with more than 44 colors and straightforward workflows, was launched by Sony Corporation.
• In June 2022, The SORTEX H SpectraVision, the newest optical sorter for wheat, rye, oats, grains, coffee, and pulses was launched by Swiss Bühler Group. With the use of revolutionary new MerlinAi sorting algorithms, the solution raises the bar for product traceability, performance, and usability in optical sorting.
• In June 2021, Satake announced the launch of the "NIRAMI series," their newest and biggest optical sorter in terms of both size and capacity. With its advanced specifications, Satake's "NIRAMI" high-performance optical sorter effectively sorts a wide range of items, including grains, pulses, and seeds. Since Nirami comes in a range of sizes and has extremely broad chutes and adjustable configurations, it is perfect for a wide range of applications and processing capabilities.

Segmentation:

By Product

• MIR Sorter
• NIR Sorters
• RGB Color Sorters
• Others 

By Platform

• Belt
• Freefall
• Lane
• Hybrid

By Industry Vertical

• Food & Beverage
• Mining
• Recycling
• Pharmaceutical
• Tobacco

By Geography

• North America
• USA
• Canada
• Mexico
• Others
• South America
• Brazil
• Argentina
• Others
• Europe
• Germany
• France
• United Kingdom
• Others
• Middle East and Africa
• Saudi Arabia
• Israel
• Others
• Asia Pacific
• China
• India
• South Korea
• Taiwan
• Thailand
• Indonesia
• Japan
• Others