Unitron – Optimized recycling of batteries, thanks to smart sensors at collection points.
Electronics specialist Unitron Connect announces an agreement with Bebat, the company responsible for the collection, sorting and recycling of used batteries in Belgium.
Belgium is the worldâs number one in the collection and recycling of batteries. As the use of batteries keeps growing, and batteries exist in an increasing range of types, sizes and compositions, there is a growing need for an expanded digitalization of the collection process.
Automatically collecting information from the moment of storage onwards, can further improve the logistic process.
Philippe Lamaire, CEO of the umbrella company UnitronGroup, with its headquarters in Poperinge, Belgium.
By equipping the battery collection point with smart sensors on a large scale, we can optimize the storage and collection of batteries, making it safer and more efficient.
Peter Coonen, CEO of Bebat
We were looking for a highly innovative and reliable electronics partner, to optimize this process, together with our other partners.
“Specifically, we wanted to improve the simplicity and safety of the collection process, and we also wanted a digital platform to monitor the process in real time. It allows us to collect valuable data, in order to take well founded decisions leading to efficiency gains, guarantee safety and have a more positive impact on people and the environmentâ
Unitron Connect, part of UnitronGroup, was chosen thanks to its more than 30 years of experience in creating, designing and manufacturing purpose-built wireless electronic solutions.
The family-owned business based in Poperinge, Belgium, collaborates actively with several knowledge institutions such as Imec, the universities of Ghent, Leuven and Antwerp. It enables them to stay informed of the latest developments in tech.
Jan Bogaert, Business Unit Leader
We strive to thoroughly understand each and every need our customer has and to jointly consider its future challenges and opportunities.
“For Bebat, our first step will be to measure the filling degree and the temperature of the collection bins. In the long run, the platform can be easily and quickly expanded for future functionalities, thanks to its flexible design,â
Benefits
Unitron points out that the finished solution – as with every project in Internet of Things – came about in collaboration with other partners, all distinguished by their innovative nature and flexibility.
Unitron Connect ensures all IoT modules are controlled and monitored from a Unitron Cloud solution. That way, all the desired data arrives at Bebat efficiently. The actual interpretation of the data is taken care of by Bebat itself.
Nele Peeters, Director of Marketing, Operations and Innovation at Bebat
The IoT devices bring several benefits.
“Not only a better planning and service because of the optimized transport. Think of the reduction in cost and the lower impact on the environment. Our containers are fuller at the moment of collection, so we have to drive less kilometers to pick up the same amount of batteries.”
“Furthermore, we pick them up just before theyâre full, which is better for the people bringing their batteries in and for the collection points themselves.â
A Belgian collaboration
Unitron Connect is equally delighted about this new partnership:
Elisabeth Lamaire, CEO
To us, this is an important cooperation agreement.
“Firstly, because we share the same corporate values when it comes to circular economy and green energy. Our company cars are electric, for example, and we avoid single use plastic in our different processes. In addition, our collaboration is a unique possibility to combine our complementary knowledge and market this solution together.â
Highlight:
- Bebat and Unitron Connect kick off a collaboration to realize a more efficient and safe collection of batteries.
Optimized recycling of batteries, thanks to smart sensors at collection points, November 26, 2021
