Netherlands: N+P has reached an agreement with provincial green energy fund Limburgs Energie Fonds (LEF) for Euro10.3m funding towards a new Euro14.3m Subcoal production plant in Farmsum, Limburg. The planned plant will process 170,000t/yr of non-recyclable waste into Subcoal for use as cement plant alternative fuel (AF). This will result in CO₂ emissions reductions of 110,000t/yr, according to the company.

N+P Europe regional managing director David Driessen said “The deal with LEF has made the construction of our new production facility possible. Due to the Covid-19 pandemic it wasn’t easy to discuss and negotiate with all parties involved. However, we managed to finalise and execute the agreement, and have immediately started the construction of our brand new facility. I am really proud that thanks to our joint efforts, we can look forward to commissioning the facility at the end of this year.”

Germany: BHS-Sonthofen has launched the RAPAX pre-shredder. The supplier says that the shredder is able to handle various waste fractions including commercial, industrial and construction waste and metal fractions. It is available with shaft lengths of 1.2 – 3.2m. Shafts are able to move synchronously, asynchronously or in reverse.

Mechanical designer Ingo Schneeman said, “The input materials used by our customers can vary greatly, especially in the area of metal recycling. Whether it’s small electrical equipment or white goods, for example, our various programs ensure optimal shredding.”

India: UltraTech Cement’s integrated Reddipalayam plant in Tamil Nadu has reached a 25% alternative fuels substitution rate. The unit sources municipal waste from 11 local municipal corporations including Ariyalur, Erode, Kumbakonam, Thanjavur, Perambalur and Karur. It also sources plastic waste from cities such as Chennai and Kozikhode. In the financial year to 31 March 2020, UltraTech Cement says it replaced 17.2% of its raw material requirement for cement manufacturing and 3.7% of its thermal energy needs with alternative resources across all operations.

Costa Rica: Geocycle Costa Rica has commissioned a XR3000C type shredder supplied by Austria-based Untha. The unit will be used to process locally sorted municipal solid waste (MSW) and hazardous and non-hazardous Industrial Solid Waste (ISW) into refuse-derived fuel (RDF) for use at Holcim Costa Rica’s integrated cement plant.

“Having worked with Untha in other countries, the XR3000C was chosen for its flexibility, high-capacity and single step alternative fuel capabilities. We also knew it would be supported by a world-class engineering team,” said Geocycle’s general manager Wilkie Mora Bolanos.

Geocycle is the waste processing subsidiary of Switzerland-based LafargeHolcim. There are currently over 20 Untha shredders in operation in Geocycle facilities worldwide.