CARE Unveils Rapid Fiber Identification Device to Boost Carpet Recycling

Photo Credit: Carpet America Recovery Effort

The Carpet America Recovery Effort (CARE) has introduced a handheld fiber identification device designed to speed up carpet recycling as extended producer responsibility rules expand in the United States, according to CARE’s announcement and industry reporting. The device, branded CarpeTell, aims to replace aging identification tools and address sorting bottlenecks that recyclers say have slowed material recovery.

Carpet recyclers have long relied on portable near-infrared analyzers to distinguish nylon, polyester and blended fibers, a critical step before processing. That workflow was disrupted after Thermo Fisher Scientific began winding down production of the widely used microPHAZIR unit several years ago, prompting concern across recycling operations that lacked a clear successor. At the same time, tighter state regulations and rising landfill diversion targets have increased pressure on facilities to process post-consumer carpet more efficiently.

CARE began searching for an alternative in 2021 and ultimately partnered with U.K.-based technology firm Matoha, which has supplied near-infrared identification systems to textile and plastics markets. Industry observers note that the collaboration reflects a broader trend of recyclers adapting analytical tools originally developed for other materials as waste streams become more complex. CARE allocated funding for a redesign tailored to warehouse conditions, with carpet industry consultant Frank Endrenyi overseeing development and testing over a two-year period.

CarpeTell is built to identify all major carpet fibers and blends in under half a second, a speed that analysts say could materially reduce labor costs in manual sorting lines. The system’s software library can be updated as manufacturers introduce new yarn formulations, addressing a frequent criticism of earlier devices that struggled with newer blends. The handheld unit weighs about 12 ounces, uses a pistol-grip design to limit operator fatigue, and runs for up to ten hours on a removable rechargeable battery, according to product specifications released by CARE.

Matoha chief operating officer Darlene Sammut said the partnership allowed the company to adapt its algorithms specifically for carpet materials and redesign the hardware for heavy recycling use. CARE Executive Director Bob Peoples linked the device’s launch to regulatory changes, noting that California’s carpet EPR program is already in force and similar legislation is under consideration in states such as New York. Industry groups argue that faster, more accurate fiber identification will be essential as compliance volumes rise and recyclers face tighter reporting requirements.

Early users have reported performance gains. Circular Polymers by Ascend said it has deployed the analyzer at its Lincoln, California facility and plans to replace older spectroscopy units across its operations, citing faster response times and improved ergonomics. Observers note that such endorsements are likely to influence adoption, particularly among mid-sized recyclers operating on thin margins.

Pricing may also play a role. CARE and its partners say CarpeTell is sold at a significantly lower upfront cost than the discontinued microPHAZIR, with an ongoing subscription for software and database updates. Analysts say that model reflects a shift toward service-based revenue in recycling technology, allowing equipment to evolve alongside changing material streams.

As carpet producers and recyclers prepare for stricter diversion mandates, CARE says broader deployment of the device could help stabilize sorting capacity and improve recovery rates nationwide. The organization and its partners expect further refinements as recyclers provide operational feedback.

Source: CARE

SUNSHINE Spotlight: A new rapid fiber identification tool is positioning recyclers to meet tougher carpet recycling mandates by cutting sorting time and adapting to evolving material blends.