Sesotec is setting new standards in inspection and sorting around the globe
Since 1976, Sesotec has evolved into one of the world’s leading providers of product inspection solutions for plastic and food lines, and sorting for recycling applications. Having grown both its product portfolio and global presence, Sesotec’s operations are divided into three sections: physical contamination in food production, foreign material detection in plastics, and purity in the recycling industry.
Specializing in contaminant detection on an industrial scale, Sesotec’s range of products operates from a single stop for all process steps, product types, and kinds of conveyance to all critical checkpoints in the production process. While the quality of manufacturing and innovation remain the core benefits of the company’s solutions, customers are increasingly using Sesotec’s products for sustainability purposes, as they can assist customers in foreign object detection, material sorting, and analysis to ensure production is both commercially profitable and kind to the environment.
When we last spoke with Johannes von Stein, Head of Sales and Administration WEST, in 2023, we discussed the innovative technology and robust quality management processes behind Sesotec’s success. As global demand continues to grow, we’re keen to catch up with Johannes to learn more about how the company has progressed over the last 18 months.
“It has been a very busy year of adapting to current market needs,” opens Johannes. “We’ve opened a new subsidiary in the Netherlands and a new production site in Germany, as well as beginning production operations in Malaysia for our Asian markets. From an internal perspective, we’re in the process of a full rebrand and we’ve already completely redesigned our website to be more modern, informative, and easier for customers to find and understand technical aspects.”
Part of Sesotec’s success can be attributed to new product developments and upgrades, which are setting new efficiency standards across the industry. “At K 2025, we launched the Purifier Performer, a new sorting system for plastic flakes that offers customizable sensor combinations,” Johannes explains. “With dual-sided inspection, the machine can detect opaque materials, labels, prints, or attachments, and the enhanced C- and NIR-resolution identifies the smallest impurities, ensuring minimal loss and maximum purity.
“In terms of plastic sorting solutions, we launched Pre-Sort, a mobile, multi-sensor sorting platform for pure plastic regrind. This compact, all-in-one system efficiently and reliably identifies and separates different types of plastics, colors, and metals from regrind of various qualities. Pre-Sort offers a groundbreaking plug-and-play option, empowering customers to produce independently, profitably, and with maximum efficiency.
“We’ve invested heavily in our X-ray portfolio to deliver high-end hygienic solutions across Europe,” he adds. “This range includes a full washdown solution, rework stations for open meat applications, and machines with embedded AI. We’re leveraging AI in two key areas: one is for extra inspection with improved technology, and the other is using AI collaboratively with existing methodology for sorting and filtering purposes. In the food industry, we’ve been using AI for sorting, recycling, and object detection for several years, so we already have a strong understanding of how to apply AI in these settings. For the US and Canadian market, where requirements are slightly different, we’ve developed a new conveyor belt system, and we hope to launch this product in Germany in 2026.
“We’re also preparing to launch a new metal detector coil with fantastic features at the Interpack 2026 trade fair in Düsseldorf, Germany ,” Johannes reveals. “This new coil offers integrated compliance monitoring and new HMI design, and we are already discussing further improvements and multi-simultaneous frequency applications to ensure this product remains at the forefront of metal detection technology.”
Aside from product launches, Sesotec has also moved into new state-of-the-art headquarters, Sesotec Plant 2, in Lower Bavaria in Germany. “Our new building is one of the most sustainable industrial projects in the region,” Johannes states. “The site features an innovative energy management concept based on a combination of photovoltaics and geothermal energy, which allows us to operate the site on clean energy. As the site is in the Bavarian Forest, we put a lot of emphasis on the minimalist architectural design of the building to ensure it exists in harmony with its surrounding landscape.
“Phase one of this project, which was to build a 12,500-square-meter production space that will nearly double our capacity, is now complete, with the manufacturing and assembly, product inspection, engineering, planning, work preparation, scheduling, and service departments all working from there. We’re now in the process of implementing new production technologies to enhance the flexibility of our processes and capabilities, which will enable us to modify the production space to cater to evolving market needs in the future.”
Despite a successful year of product launches, the company isn’t slowing down but rather continuing to innovate. “Our R&D team constantly has its eyes and ears open for opportunities to develop new products,” Johannes says. “We maintain great relationships with our customers, which allows us to understand their problems and how our products can help them navigate these issues.”
With a new site now operational and a strong R&D process, Sesotec is clearly on a path of continued growth and success, and we’re keen to hear from Johannes about what the future holds for the business. “First of all, we have a pipeline of newly launched innovative products that we’re hoping will gain even more traction around the globe this year, and we plan to expand into additional territories, with Latin America currently on the horizon,” Johannes concludes. “We’ll also conclude our rebranding initiative and continue to explore new technologies or AI applications to further enhance our operations.”