[인터뷰] '이노버스', 한국과 독일의 자원 순환에 새로운 가능성을 제시하다
[Date Registered] 2024-07-01 [Views] 2452
Germany has the Pfand system. This is a deposit-refund scheme where consumers receive 25 cents (approximately 360 KRW) per bottle when they collect empty bottles and insert them into machines at supermarkets or other locations. Because the amount increases with the number of plastic bottles collected, it is common to see people in Germany carrying large bags to collect empty bottles.
There is a company in Korea attempting a similar initiative. Inno버스 (Inno버스), an environmental startup, aims to improve the recycling process and the quality of resources. The AI PET bottle recycling robot, 'Ssaem RePET,' was designed to increase the practical rate of high-quality recycling. This year, 142,000 visitors from over 170 countries attended the IFAT (International Trade Fair for Environmental Technologies) in Munich, Germany. Inno버스 also participated in the exhibition.
< Inno버스’s Reverse Vending Machine is equipped with AI image recognition technology - Source: Provided by Inno버스 >
Currently, the majority of overseas Reverse Vending Machine (RVM) companies rely on barcode recognition and paper receipts. In such cases, if the barcode label printed on the PET bottle is damaged, the empty bottle cannot be returned to the machine. Furthermore, paper receipts generate additional waste. At IFAT, Inno버스 showcased technology that allows consumers to participate in the resource compensation system more easily. Inno버스’s 'Ssaem RePET' utilizes AI-based image analysis technology to determine the condition of the resource without needing a barcode. Compensation is provided without a paper receipt through the resource compensation platform application, 'Return'.
Recycling resources without waste, contributes to environmental improvement by reducing carbon emissions. According to Inno버스's data, the company has reduced 852,500 kg of carbon to date. This is the amount that approximately 79 pine trees can absorb in one year. Inno버스 is presenting alternatives for the recycling process using cutting-edge technology. The correspondent spoke with Jang Jin-hyeok, CEO of Inno버스, about resource circulation systems in Korea and Germany.
Hello. Please introduce yourself briefly.
Hello. We are Inno버스, an environmental engineering company, and I am Jang Jin-hyeok, the CEO, who has been running the business for five years.
I heard you visited IFAT, the environmental industry exhibition in Munich, Germany. What was the purpose of your visit?
IFAT is the world's largest environmental exhibition. We visited to expand business relationships with global environmental companies and various partners.
What was the reaction of overseas buyers to the Inno버스 business?
Many countries are very proactive about introducing RVMs based on the Pfand system. They said they were very interested in our product, with Poland, Turkey, and Saudi Arabia showing particular interest. While it is difficult to disclose the exact company name, a large environmental company in Turkey has developed an RVM. However, that company was unable to incorporate AI technology, which sparked their interest, and Inno버스 happened to possess that technology. Therefore, we are reviewing technical alliance or Proof of Concept (POC) related discussions.
You use AI image recognition technology to recognize bottles without barcodes. Could you explain this more simply?
First, when you enter your mobile phone number and put a PET bottle into the machine, the camera inside the machine determines whether the PET bottle is usable as a resource. The determination time is within 0.8 seconds, and the accuracy is 99%. To explain in more detail, labels must be removed from transparent PET bottles. Our product collects bottles with the labels removed. Plastics must be recycled with the same material, but the bottle body and the label are made of different materials. That is why labels must be peeled off and separated for easier recycling.
< Inno버스 announced plans to introduce its products to local district offices and apartment complexes in Korea - Source: Provided by Inno버스 >
How much compensation is paid per empty bottle?
Points worth 10 KRW are paid.
What are your considerations for motivating consumer participation in resource recycling?