WeSort.AI receives 10 million euros

The Würzburg-based deep tech startup WeSort.AI has raised funding of 10 million euros. Investors include Infinity Recycling, Green Generation Fund and Vent.io, while SPRIND - Federal Agency for Springboard Innovations and other public funding programs are also participating in the financing. The round came about with the support of the BayStartUP network.

The company intends to use the capital to further scale its AI-based sorting technology and expand its market presence in Europe. The aim is to recover critical raw materials from waste streams and thus contribute to European raw material sovereignty.

The problem of the circular economy

A significant proportion of electrical appliances and batteries do not currently end up in specialized recycling processes. It is estimated that more than 50 percent of these products end up in residual waste or in the wrong collection systems. As a result, valuable raw materials are lost and the risk of fires in recycling plants increases.

The materials concerned include lithium, cobalt and rare earths. These materials are considered critical raw materials in the European Union as they are required for numerous key technologies.

AI sorting system recognizes batteries and electronics

WeSort.AI's technology uses artificial intelligence, special cameras and X-ray sensors to automatically identify batteries and electronic components in mixed waste streams. The systems can then sort these materials from the wrong fractions and send them for correct recycling.

By recovering previously unused critical raw materials from waste, we are tapping into a previously untapped 'urban mine' and contributing directly to the implementation of EU requirements.

Nathanael Laier, co-founder of We.Sort.AI

In addition to batteries and e-waste, the technology can also identify other valuable or hazardous materials from various types of waste, such as end-of-life vehicles, construction waste, electronics or industrial waste.

First applications in recycling plants

The technology has already been in use at several waste disposal companies since 2024. These include KORN Recycling and PreZero, a Schwarz Group company. In addition to recovering valuable raw materials, the systems should also help to reduce fire risks in sorting plants.

EU regulation increases the pressure to secure raw materials

An important political framework for development is the EU Critical Raw Materials Act. The regulation aims to secure the European supply of strategically important raw materials and reduce dependence on imports.

Many of these materials currently come mainly from a small number of countries, such as rare earths from China or lithium from South America. Recycling and recovery from existing waste streams are therefore considered an important addition to traditional supply chains.

Awards and funding programs

WeSort.AI has already won several funding programs with its technology. Among other things, the company received an award in the Tech Metal Transformation Challenge of SPRIND - Federal Agency for Leap Innovations.

Further funding comes from programs of the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy, the Federal Ministry of Research, Technology and Space as well as from funding initiatives of the state of Bavaria.

With the current funding, the company plans to bring its technology to further applications and expand its industrial use in Europe.