Optical Sorter Market Report 2025

The optical sorter market size has grown rapidly in recent years. It will grow from $3.05 billion in 2024 to $3.45 billion in 2025 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 13%. The expansion during the historic period is due to rising demand for food safety and quality assurance, growing labor shortages in industrial processing, stricter environmental regulations, greater implementation of Industry 4.0 technologies, and increased urbanization leading to more waste production.

The optical sorter market size is expected to see rapid growth in the next few years. It will grow to $5.55 billion in 2029 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 12.6%. The projected growth during the forecast period is driven by increased utilization of multi-sensor and hyperspectral sorting, a higher frequency of product recalls caused by contamination, greater adoption of plastics sorting and recovery, growing demand in developing markets, and escalating costs associated with manual inspection and sorting. Key trends expected in this period include advancements in hyperspectral imaging technology, the rise of real-time data analytics powered by technology, the integration of multi-sensor fusion, the development of more user-friendly interfaces, and the creation of modular sorter designs.

The rising demand for automation is expected to boost the growth of the optical sorter market in the coming years. Automation involves using technology, systems, or machines to carry out tasks with little to no human involvement, with the goal of enhancing efficiency, accuracy, and productivity. This growing demand is driven by automation’s ability to lower operational costs through better efficiency, fewer errors, and optimized use of resources. Optical sorters contribute to automation by offering fast, precise, and consistent sorting processes that reduce the need for manual labor and improve overall operational performance. For example, the International Federation of Robotics, based in Germany, reported 44,303 industrial robot installations in 2023, marking a 12% increase from the previous year. Hence, the demand for automation is propelling the expansion of the optical sorter market.

Key players in the optical sorter market are concentrating on developing innovative technologies such as Merlin artificial intelligence sorting algorithms to improve sorting precision and operational efficiency. Merlin AI sorting algorithms are advanced machine learning systems designed to analyze product images in real time and make highly accurate sorting decisions, allowing optical sorters to separate materials more quickly and precisely. For instance, in June 2022, the Swiss Bühler Group introduced the SORTEX H, an advanced optical sorter that incorporates Merlin AI algorithms along with cutting-edge sensors to provide exceptional sorting accuracy, seamless connectivity, and ease of use across food, recycling, and industrial sectors. Powered by MerlinAI, the sorter delivers highly precise AI-driven defect detection with individual defect removal control. It also features improved connectivity and real-time monitoring to maximize efficiency and accuracy. The system includes a user-friendly interface, high-resolution cameras, and remote diagnostic capabilities, setting a new standard for accessible and sustainable optical sorting solutions.

In November 2023, IK Investment Partners, a private equity firm based in the UK, acquired Sesotec GmbH for an undisclosed sum. This acquisition aims to bolster Sesotec’s growth, broaden its market reach, and accelerate innovation in advanced sorting and detection technologies. Sesotec GmbH, headquartered in Germany, specializes in the design and manufacture of optical sorters.

Major players in the optical sorter market are Allgaier Werke GmbH, Anzai Manufacturing Co. Ltd., Binder+Co AG, Bühler Group, CP Manufacturing Inc., Daewon GSI Co. Ltd., General Inspection LLC, GREEFA (Greenhouse Equipment Factory), Hefei Meyer Optoelectronic Technology Inc., Cimbria A/S, Hefei Taihe Optoelectronic Technology Co. Ltd., National Recovery Technologies LLC, Orange Sorting Machines (India) Pvt. Ltd., Pellenc Selective Technologies, PETKUS Technologie GmbH, Raytec Vision S.p.A., REDWAVE Solutions US LLC., Satake Corporation, STEINERT GmbH, TOMRA Systems ASA.

North America was the largest region in the optical sorter market in 2024. Asia-Pacific is expected to be the fastest-growing region in the forecast period. The regions covered in optical sorter report are Asia-Pacific, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East and Africa. The countries covered in the optical sorter market report are Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Russia, South Korea, UK, USA, Canada, Italy, Spain.

Note that the outlook for this market is being affected by rapid changes in trade relations and tariffs globally. The report will be updated prior to delivery to reflect the latest status, including revised forecasts and quantified impact analysis. The report’s Recommendations and Conclusions sections will be updated to give strategies for entities dealing with the fast-moving international environment.

The swift increase in U.S. tariffs and the ensuing trade tensions in spring 2025 are significantly affecting the machinery sector by increasing costs for steel, hydraulic systems, and precision bearings critical components often imported from tariff-affected regions. Manufacturers of construction, agricultural, and industrial machinery now face squeezed margins, as many long-term contracts prevent immediate price adjustments. The uncertainty has also delayed investment in automation and smart machinery technologies, slowing productivity gains. To adapt, firms are accelerating local supplier development, redesigning products to use alternative materials, and leveraging predictive maintenance to extend equipment lifespans amid higher replacement costs.

An optical sorter is a device that utilizes cameras, lasers, or sensors to automatically recognize and separate materials based on visual features such as color, shape, size, or texture. It employs sophisticated imaging and processing technologies to identify defects or contaminants in real time. By automating the sorting process, it improves precision, speed, and uniformity compared to manual checking.

The primary types of optical sorters include camera sorters, laser sorters, near-infrared (NIR) sorters, hyperspectral cameras, combined sorters, and others. Camera sorters use visible-light or RGB cameras to analyze the size, shape, and color of objects, rejecting defective or foreign materials. Platforms for these sorters include hybrid, lane, freefall, and belt configurations. Applications span recycling, food processing, and mining, with end users in industries such as food and beverages, waste recycling, mining, pharmaceuticals, and more.

The optical sorter market research report is one of a series of new reports that provides optical sorter market statistics, including optical sorter industry global market size, regional shares, competitors with an optical sorter market share, detailed optical sorter market segments, market trends and opportunities, and any further data you may need to thrive in the optical sorter industry. The optical sorter market research report delivers a complete perspective of everything you need, with an in-depth analysis of the current and future scenario of the industry.

The optical sorter market consists of revenues earned by entities by providing installation and commissioning, maintenance and repair, operator training, calibration and optimization, and remote monitoring and diagnostics. The market value includes the value of related goods sold by the service provider or included within the service offering. The optical sorter market also includes sales of color sorter machines, X-ray sorting machines, shape and size sorters, flake sorters, and vision inspection camera modules. Values in this market are ‘factory gate’ values; that is, the value of goods sold by the manufacturers or creators of the goods, whether to other entities (including downstream manufacturers, wholesalers, distributors, and retailers) or directly to end customers. The value of goods in this market includes related services sold by the creators of the goods.

The market value is defined as the revenues that enterprises gain from the sale of goods and/or services within the specified market and geography through sales, grants, or donations in terms of the currency (in USD unless otherwise specified).

The revenues for a specified geography are consumption values that are revenues generated by organizations in the specified geography within the market, irrespective of where they are produced. It does not include revenues from resales along the supply chain, either further along the supply chain or as part of other products.

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