SunAggregates has unveiled a major upgrade to its Thetford site with the installation of an advanced, high-capacity silt press—dramatically enhancing the plant’s ability to process waste sustainably and efficiently.
The state-of-the-art filter press can transform up to 40 tonnes of liquid silt slurry into dry, pressed cake in just 90 minutes, reducing waste handling challenges while reclaiming and recycling valuable water. The innovation not only streamlines operations, but significantly boosts SunAggregates’ efforts to divert waste from landfill and support a circular economy in the East of England.
“This investment is about more than operational efficiency; it’s about taking responsibility for how we manage resources,” said Mat Stewart, managing director of parent company SunEnviro.
“By transforming silt into a sustainable product quickly and to strict quality standards, we’re making huge strides both in terms of water preservation and being an integral part of the circular economy across the east of England.”
A centre for sustainable construction and demolition
The SunAggregates plant in Thetford is a cornerstone of SunEnviro’s growing network of recycling and resource recovery operations. The facility currently handles over 100,000 tonnes of construction and demolition (C&D) waste every year, processing materials into high-quality, recycled aggregates used in local construction, landscaping, and infrastructure projects.
With a zero-to-landfill policy, SunAggregates combines cutting-edge technology, traditional recycling methods, and energy-from-waste strategies to keep more resources in use and out of the ground.
How the new silt press works
The newly installed silt press employs advanced filter press technology to separate solids and liquids in slurry waste, a by-product of the aggregate washing process. Slurry is pumped into a series of sealed chambers created by recessed filter plates, which are lined with specialised cloths.
As high-pressure pumps force the slurry into these chambers, solids are trapped and compacted into dry cakes, while clean water filters through and is collected for reuse. Once the chambers are full, the plates open automatically, and the cakes drop into a bay below, ready to be repurposed in landscaping and construction.
This closed-loop water system significantly reduces the plant’s freshwater consumption and enhances its environmental performance.
Closing the loop: From waste to resource
The pressed silt cakes produced by the filter press can be reused in a variety of ways, including road sub-base layers and pond lining, turning what was once a waste stream into a valuable material.
Alongside silt recovery, SunAggregates offers a wide range of recycled products:
- Recycled stone – used as sub-base in roads and foundations
- Recycled sand – ideal for paving, driveways, and drainage
All products undergo strict quality control to meet UK construction standards, delivering reliable, sustainable alternatives to virgin aggregates.
Sustainable solutions for UK construction
Choosing recycled aggregates is not only environmentally sound but cost-effective. With raw material prices and environmental regulations on the rise, contractors and developers are turning to suppliers like SunAggregates to meet both budget and sustainability goals.
For projects looking to reduce their environmental footprint without compromising on quality, SunAggregates offers a trusted, responsible solution. The team welcomes enquiries from developers, builders, and contractors ready to embrace a cleaner, smarter way of building.
