An interview with Julia Stadler, Chief Digital Officer at STADLER.
In today鈥檚 fast-evolving waste and recycling industry, digitalization is proving to be a game-changer. STADLER, a global leader in sorting plant engineering and system integration, is pushing the boundaries with STADLERconnect鈥攁 digital platform designed to enhance performance, sustainability, and uptime across recycling operations. In this rapid interview, Julia Stadler, Chief Digital Officer at STADLER, shares how smart technologies and real-time analytics are reshaping the industry for a circular, resource-efficient future.
How is STADLER driving circular economy goals through digital innovation?
At STADLER, we see digitalization as a key enabler of the circular economy. Our solutions focus on optimizing sorting and recycling plant operations through real-time data, automation, and smart process control. By maximizing material recovery and reducing waste, we directly support the circular economy’s core goals of sustainability and resource efficiency.
听What specific digital tools are making the biggest impact?
Our platform, STADLERconnect, is central to this effort. Tools like predictive maintenance and material tracking improve operational continuity and minimize waste. For example, predictive analytics help detect early signs of machinery wear, preventing breakdowns and cutting unplanned downtime. Meanwhile, real-time tracking ensures consistent material flow and quality, significantly reducing sorting residue.
AI and analytics are big buzzwords鈥攈ow are they applied at STADLER?
AI is embedded in our platform to deliver actionable insights. Real-time analytics help identify bottlenecks, optimize maintenance cycles, and manage material streams more precisely. This means better recovery rates, higher plant uptime, and greater operational visibility鈥攁ll vital for running efficient U.S. recycling plants.
Digitalization often comes with challenges. How does STADLER support integration?
We understand that recycling facilities in the U.S. often operate with diverse machinery. STADLERconnect is built to be flexible and intuitive, offering a modular, cloud-based design that adapts to each plant鈥檚 layout. We also offer customized dashboards and comprehensive user training to ensure seamless implementation across teams.
Can you provide real-world examples of impact?
Yes. At REILING, predictive maintenance reduced unexpected machinery failures and enabled better maintenance planning. At INDAVER, we helped extend equipment lifespan and cut operational costs through smart scheduling. These successes reflect the platform鈥檚 potential for measurable sustainability and performance gains.听
How do you maintain high-quality output and close the loop?
Our material analysis features鈥攍ike BaleCheckIn and BaleCheckOut鈥攎onitor incoming and outgoing material composition. This level of transparency helps our customers consistently meet strict purity targets, which is essential for producing quality recycled content and fulfilling circular economy requirements.
What鈥檚 next in STADLER鈥檚 digital roadmap?
We鈥檙e developing new modules such as Windshifter Automation and expanding cross-platform data sharing to improve predictive accuracy. Our goal is fully autonomous, smart recycling plants. In the U.S., this means higher throughput, lower costs, and scalable digital solutions that grow with the facility.
How do you balance environmental benefits with economic ROI?
Our technology is designed to do both. By reducing waste, optimizing energy use, and increasing plant uptime, we deliver measurable environmental benefits while improving bottom-line performance. It鈥檚 not a tradeoff鈥攊t鈥檚 a synergy.
Looking ahead, what is your vision for the industry?
We envision digitally connected, AI-powered sorting facilities as the backbone of the recycling sector. These smart plants will offer higher efficiency, flexibility, and resilience鈥攃ritical for meeting both U.S. regulatory expectations and global sustainability targets.