Hidden Champion #1 – WeSort.AI

A massive problem in the circular economy: Over 50 percent of all discarded electrical devices and batteries do not end up with specialized recyclers, but in residual waste or the yellow bin. Critical commodities like rare earths are thus lost to the circular economy – even though Europe urgently needs them. The Critical Raw Materials Act requires that by 2030, at least 25% of European commodity demand be met through recycling – with current rates sometimes close to zero.

This is precisely where the Würzburg-based deep-tech start-up WeSort.AI comes in. The company has secured approximately 10 million euros to further develop its AI-based technology for recovering critical commodities from recycling facilities. The funding comes primarily from impact investors who consider ecological and social aspects in addition to returns.
At the core of the solution is an AI-powered sorting system that analyzes waste streams not only by material classes, but at the object level. Using specialized cameras, X-ray technology, and deep-learning algorithms, the system identifies even small components – even when they are embedded within complex material streams.

This increases the accuracy of material separation while simultaneously helping to reduce a central risk in the industry: improperly disposed lithium-ion batteries. These can trigger fires in sorting facilities and cause significant damage. WeSort.AI’s technology detects such hazards early and sorts them out systematically.

At the same time, it becomes evident how closely modern recycling technologies themselves are linked to critical raw materials: high-performance sensors and AI systems are based, among other things, on metals such as gallium or rare earths.

With the fresh capital, WeSort.AI aims to further expand its technology and thereby contribute to European raw material sovereignty. Examples like this demonstrate the potential inherent in technology-based recycling. WeSort.AI is therefore our Hidden Champion of the week.