In the recycling and bulk handling industry implementing an air separator to the process sorts the materials and separates the lighter from the heavier fractions. Other names for this application are air classifier, wind sifter, and wind shifter. The advantage of (pre-)sorting through an air stream is that it does not require any water and guarantees a high separation efficiency up to 95-99%.
N.M. Heilig often manufactures air separators in combination with complete (pre-)sorting installations, particularly for light, airy bulk items in bulk handling and recycling facilities for household waste, paper, cardboard, and plastics.