Crushing it in recycling

Companies are stepping up their recycling and sustainability efforts across a range of sectors including crushing & screening and off-road tyre retreading
July 29, 2022
By Liam McLoughlin
kleemann1

 

German building materials recycling group Erdtrans has invested in a Kleemann MOBICONE MCO 90i EVO2 mobile cone crusher to enable cost-effective recycling and the production of high-quality ballast chips and high-grade flint.

Since summer 2021, the first plant of this type to be deployed worldwide has been recycling mainly railway ballast. Downstream of the cone crusher is a MOBISCREEN MS 953 EVO screening plant.

The MOBICONE MCO 90i EVO2 features the Kleemann continuous feed system (CFS) which uses ultrasonic probes to monitor the crusher level and other parameters. This optimises the utilisation of the crusher.

EvoQuip says the ‘Think Green, Think EvoQuip’ campaign shows its commitment to developing sustainable equipment
EvoQuip says the ‘Think Green, Think EvoQuip’ campaign shows its commitment to developing sustainable equipment

To guarantee fast and safe train travel, the ballast bed under railway tracks has to be regularly repaired. High demands are placed on the material because, in a high-quality ballast bed, the stones dig into one another with their sharp edges to form a stable base. Furthermore, only suitable material gives the track system the required elasticity and ensures the unrestricted downward flow of rainwater.

German Railways (DB) uses licences for the railway ballast suppliers to ensure that the material used meets the requirements.

Erdtrans, which has offices in Zossen and Trebbin near Berlin, has had corresponding DB product qualification for years because "we recycle or process everything that's under the rails," explains company MD Michael Schwarzer.

Schwarzer adds that he is highly satisfied with the new Kleemann plant after its first six months in operation. Now he worries even more than before the purchase that "not enough recycling materials are used in ballast beds. The use of new material simply no longer meets contemporary standards. The new crusher shows clearly that we can easily use modern machine technology to produce railway ballast and other high-quality products from recycling material."

Northern Ireland-based compact crushing and screening brand EvoQuip has launched the ‘Think Green, Think EvoQuip’ campaign to illustrate its commitment to developing increasingly sustainable equipment as part of global sustainability efforts.

Barry O'Hare, business line director for EvoQuip, says that sustainability is a strategic priority for the company and consistently at the top of its agenda. “We see it as our responsibility to do what we can to be as sustainable a company as possible and to help to build a world that puts sustainability at the forefront of everything we do," O’Hare adds.

Terex-owned EvoQuip has also posted a sustainability responsibility statement on its website stating four key commitments.

Marangoni has won four categories at the Recircle Awards, one through its TRM subsidiary
Marangoni has won four categories at the Recircle Awards, one through its TRM subsidiary

These are: production of sustainable equipment that is as kind to the environment as possible whilst still being effective and eco-friendly in its use. This is both in the design stage of the products and in the physical processing of material; the use of sustainable materials where possible in the production of all equipment, parts, and packaging to help to ensure the products are sustainable from design to the finished product to operation; offering the best solution to customers to ensure their operation is as efficient and environmentally friendly as possible. They promise to comply with all legislation and health and safety requirements.

Recycling is an important industry for EvoQuip, with over 40% of equipment out in the field working in a recycling application. It is possible to process many types of waste, which can then be reused as product on site or sold. The entire EvoQuip range provides the ideal solution for generating profit from waste.  

EvoQuip says it will be increasing its hybrid/electric offerings over time as part of the ‘Think Green, Think EvoQuip’ campaign. Fuel consumption monitoring, assessing and reducing carbon footprint and reducing waste to landfill will also help EvoQuip live up to the name of its campaign.

The campaign's economic contribution comes from reducing machine running costs, turning waste into profit and having a more measured approach to research and development. EvoQuip is also ensuring its training to operators is constantly and consistently updated to ensure that operators know the most economical way to operate and service the machines.

Off-road tyre retread specialist Marangoni has won four categories at the Recircle Awards. The Italian company says this is a record for the awards event, which is dedicated to the circular economy in the tyre retreading and recycling sectors.

Erdtrans is using a Kleemann cone crusher to recycle railway ballast
Erdtrans is using a Kleemann cone crusher to recycle railway ballast

Marangoni made it to the highest podium in the Best Tread Rubber Supplier, Circular Economy Award, Best Tyre Retreader (for the second consecutive year), and Best Retreading Equipment Supplier (through its TRM subsidiary) categories.

Marangoni COO Matthias Leppert commented on the success: "We are extremely honoured by the recognition given to Marangoni: not by the excellent result itself, but rather by our customers, who with their votes have expressed their trust in the quality of our products and services.

"The categories in which our customers placed us on the podium, confirm how Marangoni supports in the finest way the retreader partners with a 360 degrees offering, ranging from machinery to retreading materials, and the fleets – especially in Italy – thanks to the retreaded tyre.”

Leppert concluded: “This result was achieved thanks to the extraordinary participation of our customers, partners and collaborators, which is an encouragement to renew Marangoni's commitment to further consolidate its leadership in the sector."

The Recircle Awards’ winners were announced at the ceremony broadcast online on 25 April. The trophies were delivered during The Tire (in Cologne, Germany, on 24 May) and Autopromotec (in Bologna, Italy, on 26 May) industry events.

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