Tomra

What began in a small shed in Asker, Norway, in 1972 has evolved into a global leader in resource optimization. Founded by the brothers Petter and Tore Planke, TOMRA was born from a simple request: a local grocer needed a machine to efficiently collect empty bottles and issue deposit refunds. This initial challenge led to the invention of the world's first automated reverse vending machine (RVM), with the first handmade prototype installed in an Oslo supermarket on January 2, 1972. TOMRA was officially founded on April 1, 1972, and by the year's end, 29 machines were operating in Norway. The success quickly garnered international interest, and by 1973, TOMRA had distribution agreements across Europe and the United States. A significant breakthrough came in 1974 when Systembolaget, the Swedish state-owned wine retailer, ordered 100 RVMs. The introduction of the self-programmable Tomra SP RVM in 1977 further solidified TOMRA's market position.

The 1980s saw TOMRA navigate challenges, including a period of financial loss, but the company refocused on its European stronghold and product innovation, leading to a return to profitability. The 1990s marked a period of significant growth and evolution. The acquisition of material handling company NEROC in 1992 signaled TOMRA's expansion beyond RVMs into the broader container recycling value chain. This decade also saw a focus on operational efficiency, including consolidating production in a new Norwegian headquarters and launching the technologically advanced T-600 RVM in 1997. By the end of the 1990s, TOMRA was an international corporation with over 1,700 employees in 34 countries. The 2000s brought further diversification, with TOMRA venturing into recycling infrastructure in markets without deposit systems and expanding into sensor-based sorting technology through acquisitions like TiTech Visionsort AS in 2004 (renamed Tomra Sorting Solutions in 2012) and Orwak in 2005. A major event was the introduction of a national deposit system in Germany in 2006, for which TOMRA delivered over 8,000 new RVMs. Today, TOMRA provides technology-led solutions that enable the circular economy with advanced collection and sorting systems that optimize resource recovery and minimize waste in the food, recycling, and mining industries. With approximately 105,000 installations in over 100 markets, TOMRA continues its mission to lead the resource revolution.