The plastic material identification device "Purashiru TActTM". Simply hold the object over the identification unit to determine the material in under 1 second.
Yamamoto Manufacturing Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Tendo City, Yamagata Prefecture, Representative Director: Jitsumi Yamamoto), a manufacturer and seller of recycling-related equipment such as the plastic material identification device "Purashiru" and polystyrene foam compactors, has launched "Purashiru TActTM," a new product designed to solve the challenges of sorting operations at plastic recycling sites. By identifying materials in under 1 second without contact, the company aims to improve the efficiency of plastic sorting and promote recycling.
Current Situation at Plastic Recycling Sites
One of the major challenges in advancing plastic recycling is the difficulty in distinguishing between different plastic materials. Plastics that appear identical at first glance are actually made of various materials such as polypropylene (PP), polyethylene (PE), polystyrene (PS), PET, and vinyl chloride (PVC). If these are not sorted correctly, they cannot be recycled.
Traditionally, plastic material identification often relied on the experience of workers, using factors like touch, elasticity, how they burn, and smell. Furthermore, methods like heating plastic to check its smell pose safety concerns.
It is difficult to identify plastic materials by appearance alone. Traditional identification methods, such as heating to check for smell, also have safety issues.
Challenge is not just to "identify" materials, but to integrate into the sorting workflow
Yamamoto Manufacturing has previously sold the handheld plastic material identification device "Purashiru." "Purashiru" has been adopted in over 300 units nationwide, primarily by industrial waste disposal and recycling companies, as a device that allows anyone to perform material identification with the same standard, reducing reliance on worker experience.
However, as its use in the field progressed, it became clear that in addition to being able to "identify" materials, it is also important to be able to sort a certain amount of plastic smoothly and without stress.
Recycling sites often handle large volumes of plastic. Therefore, if there are issues such as "identification takes too long," "hands are occupied by holding the device," or "the sensor needs to be in contact with the object," it can be difficult to integrate into actual sorting operations.
Handheld plastic material identification device "Purashiru" Stationary, non-contact identification new product "Purashiru TActTM"
Identification in under 1 second, non-contact. Faster and smoother plastic sorting operations
"Purashiru TActTM" is a stationary plastic material identification device developed based on these site challenges.
With "Purashiru TActTM," simply hold the object over the identification unit to identify the plastic material in under 1 second. As it is a stationary device, there is no need to hold the equipment, allowing workers to sort while using both hands.
Furthermore, by simultaneously measuring the reflected light that bounces off the object and the transmitted light that passes through it, the design is made to easily handle transparent or unevenly surfaced objects.
The identification results can be displayed not only as material names but also as numbers, letters, or colors, configured to match the site's operational needs. For example, by setting up operations like "place items displayed in red into the red container," anyone can sort without hesitation, without over-relying on the worker's experience or knowledge.
Simply hold the object over the identification unit for material identification in under 1 second. Simultaneously measures reflected and transmitted light, easily handling transparent and uneven objects.
Main Features of "Purashiru TActTM"
1. Material identification in under 1 second, just by holding the object near
Automatic identification occurs simply by bringing the object close to the identification unit. There is no need to press buttons for each identification, which minimizes interruptions to the workflow, allowing for smooth sorting even at sites handling large volumes of plastic.
2. Stationary design frees up hands
This is a stationary device, so there is no need to hold it continuously. Since both hands can be used to handle objects, the structure is easy to integrate into sorting operations.
3. Easy identification of transparent or complexly shaped objects
Plastics collected at recycling sites include transparent items, those with uneven surfaces, and shapes that are difficult to apply sensors to. "Purashiru TActTM" allows for non-contact identification simply by holding the object over the identification unit, and its design, which simultaneously measures reflected and transmitted light, makes it easy to identify such objects.
4. Supports 8 types of general-purpose plastics
It can identify 8 types: PE, PP, PVC, PS, ABS, PET, PC, and PMMA. This material composition covers approximately 80% of plastics produced in Japan, optimized for fast and accurate sorting of materials commonly handled at recycling sites.
*Calculated by our company based on the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry's Production Dynamics Statistics Survey, 2024 Plastic Products Statistics.
On-site demonstrations available nationwide. Confirm identification results with actual objects.
"Purashiru TActTM" was first unveiled at the "2026 NEW ENVIRONMENT EXPO" held at Tokyo Big Sight in May 2026 and is currently on sale.
Yamamoto Manufacturing also offers on-site demonstrations nationwide. To address requests such as confirming whether it can identify plastics handled at the actual site or consulting on how it can be used within the workflow, a representative will visit and conduct identification demonstrations with the actual equipment.
*Consultation required for some areas, such as Okinawa and remote islands.
Click here for "Purashiru TActTM" product details, demo requests, and catalog downloads.
https://www.yamamoto-ss.co.jp/sp_recycle/products/placil/pis-080.html
Supporting the recycling of unidentified plastic materials to realize a circular economy
Through the widespread adoption of "Purashiru TActTM," Yamamoto Manufacturing aims to promote the recycling of plastics that were difficult to recycle due to unknown material composition, thereby expanding the possibilities of material recycling.
Our mission is to reduce the workload at recycling sites and expand the possibilities of resource circulation through manufacturing. This is the spirit embedded in Yamamoto Manufacturing's environmental equipment.
With the "power to create" cultivated over 100 years of manufacturing, we aim to solve challenges towards the realization of a circular economy.
Product Introduction Video
You can also see the actual identification process of "Purashiru TActTM" in the product introduction video. The video demonstrates how to identify materials by holding objects over the identification unit, how the identification results are displayed, and how easy it is to use in sorting operations.
Product Overview
Product Name: Plastic Material Identification Device "Purashiru TActTM (Tact)"
Model: PIS-080
Identification Method: Near-infrared spectroscopy
Identification Time: Under 1 second
Objects to be Identified: 8 types of general-purpose plastics (PP, PE, PS, PET, PMMA, PC, ABS, PVC)
Sales Status: Available for sale
Price: Inquire for details
Product Page: https://www.yamamoto-ss.co.jp/sp_recycle/products/placil/pis-080.html
About Yamamoto Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
Yamamoto Manufacturing Co., Ltd. is a machinery manufacturer founded in 1918. We develop, manufacture, and sell agricultural machinery, rice milling machinery, and environmental machinery.
In the field of environmental machinery, we offer products that solve challenges at recycling sites, such as polystyrene foam compactors, PET bottle label separators, and plastic material identification devices.
Company Name: Yamamoto Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
Location: Higashineko, Higashine-ko, Yamagata Prefecture 5800-1
Representative: Jitsumi Yamamoto, Representative Director
Founded: 1918
Business Activities: Development, manufacturing, and sales of agricultural machinery, rice milling machinery, and environmental machinery.
Homepage: https://www.yamamoto-ss.co.jp/
FACT BOX
- Source: PR TIMES
- Category: 製品発売