GreenGroup, through its business line GreenWEEE, specialized in the recycling of waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE), presents the results of a pioneering European project: GRINNER.

Installed and tested under real operating conditions at the GreenWEEE plant in Buzău, the system is an advanced solution that uses artificial intelligence and dual-energy X-ray scanning to automatically detect batteries in discarded electronics. Its purpose: to prevent lithium-ion battery fires and optimize industrial processes, at a time when such incidents are increasingly common across Europe, with over 30 recycling facility fires reported weekly.

“GRINNER is the industry’s response to the growing need for innovation in recycling. The system is the result of three years of research, international collaboration, and a shared commitment to safety and efficiency. It’s more than a technology, it’s a safety shield for people, the environment, and industrial infrastructure.

By automatically identifying embedded batteries in e-waste, GRINNER significantly reduces fire risks, conserves resources, protects lives, and sets a new safety benchmark in electronic waste treatment. It offers the industry a reliable, accurate, and replicable solution to one of the most pressing risks in the sector,” said Marius Costache, General Manager of GreenWEEE.

From electric toothbrushes, remote controls, and toys, to mobile phones and portable speakers, millions of e-waste items arrive at recycling centers every day. Many contain hidden batteries that are nearly impossible to spot with the naked eye. Without effective detection systems, these batteries can ignite during mechanical processing, or even while in storage.

The GRINNER project has a total value of €3 million and is developed by an international consortium of seven organizations from seven countries, with support from the European Union’s Horizon Europe programme. The consortium members include: GreenWEEE International SA (Romania), WEEE Forum (Belgium), LYNQ Poland (Poland), Tech Hive Labs (Greece), Erion Compliance Organization SCARL (Italy), Varex Imaging AB (Sweden), and the University of Essex (UK).