Wet processing experts CDE and Enva, one of the UK and Ireland’s leading environmental services and resource recovery businesses, are developing a new 180 tonnes per hour (tph) construction and demolition (C&D) waste wash plant to be commissioned in County Kildare, Ireland.
In late 2024, Enva expanded its soil recovery business in Ireland with the acquisition of Walshestown Restoration, a restoration and recovery partner dedicated to the sustainable treatment of soils, and the recovery of sand, gravel, soil, and stone from recycled materials. The 100-acre facility is licensed to accept 330,000 tonnes of construction and demolition waste annually, predominantly consisting of waste soil and stone.
This facility near Naas, County Kildare, is where the 180tph wet processing plant, designed and engineered by CDE, will process a variety of brownfield construction, demolition, and excavation (CD&E) wastes to recover premium sand and aggregate products suitable for high-value construction and critical infrastructure projects across the eastern region.
The plant is expected to be operational in March 2026.
CDE business development manager, Garry Stewart said: “This is a welcome step in the right direction, but there’s still a long road ahead. Our partnership with Enva demonstrates the role that private industry can play when it comes to addressing the waste burden and advancing the circular economy for the benefit of all. As regulations evolve, there are significant gains to be made for those businesses that recognise the strategic imperative of waste recycling for sustainable business growth.”
The construction and demolition sector in Ireland generated an estimated nine million tonnes of waste in 2023, up over 8% from 8.3 million tonnes in 2022, according to statistics from the EPA. Approximately 81% of this waste stream consists of soil, stones, and dredging spoil, amounting to 7.3 million tonnes. Of all construction and demolition waste generated in Ireland in 2023, three-quarters (75%) was used for backfilling, while 12% was disposed of and 11% was recycled.
In the decade leading up to 2023, construction and demolition waste in Ireland grew by 300%.
Despite the rise in construction and demolition waste, construction output declined in 2023, according to the Central Statistics Office. Over the year from Q4 2022 to Q4 2023, the production volume in construction decreased by 6.3%.
Enva MD Richard Kennedy commented: “We’re proud to announce our partnership with CDE on the installation of our new, state-of-the-art sand and aggregates recycling plant. The largest of its kind in Ireland, this investment directly supports Enva’s sustainability goals and our broader commitment to providing circular economy solutions.
“This facility enables us to meet the increasing demand for high-quality recycled aggregates, helping our customers reduce their dependence on virgin materials, and significantly lower the carbon footprint of construction and infrastructure projects in Ireland. It’s a vital step in delivering the sustainable solutions that modern developments now require, while conserving natural resources for future generations and avoiding waste to landfill.”
