Belgian sorting technology expert celebrates its 50th anniversary

Today, TOMRA, provider of high end collection and sorting solutions, celebrates its 50th anniversary.

All of their four divisions - Collection, Food, Recycling and Mining – declared a collective mission for the future to transform the way humans obtain, use and reuse nature's resources to enable a world without waste.

According to Tove Andersen, TOMRA’s president and chief executive officer, TOMRA’s solutions can help improve sustainability, develop the circular economy, and make more efficient use of resource.

50 years ago TOMRA began its path and today is one of highly respected global market leaders. This is living proof of its ability to adapt, innovate, and create solutions that the market needs.

On April 1, 1972, in Norway, brothers Petter and Tore Planke founded TOMRA. After seeing a local grocer struggle with the manual collection of empty bottles in their store, Planke developed the first fully-automated reverse vending machine (RVM).

This invention originated the entire industry for efficiently handling the return and recycling of deposit beverage containers.

TOMRA’s innovative approach led to its continuing development, from manufacturing RVMs to providing sorting solutions for the food, recycling, and mining industries.

These customer-tailored solutions optimize resource recovery and reduce waste - key benefits as sustainability becomes more important with businesses, governments and consumers.

Tove added that TOMRA converts companies into more profitable, sustainable businesses and transforms the way the world’s resources are obtained, used, and reused.

Today, TOMRA has over 4,600 employees worldwide and has annual sales of €1bn.

20% of the company's workforce and 8% of its revenues are dedicated to research and development.

According to Michel Picandet, executive vice president and head of TOMRA Food, looking to the future, TOMRA is focused on the resource revolution in a world where Every Resource Counts. “We are on a mission to transform and help customers feed the world, minimize waste, improve yield, and create sustainable value."

TOMRA Food is a manufacturer of sensor-based sorting machines and integrated post-harvest equipment for the food industry. The company uses one of the world’s most advanced grading, sorting, peeling and analytical technology.

Their main goal is to help their customers to improve returns, gain operational efficiencies, minimize food waste, ensure quality and a safe food supply with sustainable technologies. 

Their solutions are installed at food growers, packers and processors around the world. This allows businesses to maximize productivity and recovery rates, while reducing food waste and developing the overall quality of the produce.

If you wish to collaborate with TOMRA, send your inquiry today