Shredding machines find environmentally friendly uses

Thanks to new technologies, it is possible to generate energy from general refuse that would otherwise add to our current environmental problems. If processed properly, fuel may be sourced from a wide range of waste materials with a sufficiently high calorific value. This novel method is a particularly useful way of dealing with municipality wastes which are now proving to be a valuable and cost-efficient energy source. Vecoplan, a German company initially founded in 1969 as a specialist in wood chipping machines currently produces multipurpose industrial shedders suitable for such recycling purposes. Following efforts undertaken by IRC-EGE and IRC Hessen/Rheinland Pfalz a TTT agreement was recently signed with Turkish company Seven to transfer their shredder technology. This is IRC-EGE’s 3rd successful TTT agreement to date.

To successfully utilise waste materials in any industry they must first be processed mechanically. Shredding is a key element of the treatment process for refining materials which are often contaminated with foreign parts. Recycling this waste presents a variety of benefits to the companies doing the recycling as well as society as a whole. Commercially, businesses are offered an economical alternative to purchasing raw materials whilst environmentally there is less demand for fossil fuel and landfill sites.

Technology for industrial shredders has been developed in recent years by Veccoplan which is recognized both nationally and internationally for its products. The technology transferred to Turkey consists of a single shafted shredding machine with innovative reduced noise and dust features. The machine is capable of shredding wood, plastics, paper and a variety of other recyclable materials. Impressively the shredder can process up to one hundred tonnes per hour of municipal or industrial waste. Additionally the machine can shred high quality chips from raw material which may be subsequently used to produce chipboard, paper, wood pulp and fuel. Shredders, screens and magnetic separators are used to generate RDF (Refuse Derived Fuel) which until this TTT had never before been utilised in Turkey.

In June 2004 IRC-EGE attended the 5th Venture Capital Forum in Athens where they were contacted by Vecoplan, then looking to tap in to the Turkish Market. A former client of IRC Hessen/Rheinland Pfalz, Vecoplan knew of the power of the IRC Network and requested a company mission to Turkey in October 2004. IRC-EGE actively promoted this mission in its region as well as in the Istanbul area, subsequently arranging meetings with 5 companies and municipalities. Amongst these was Seven Ltd, a company based in Istanbul specializing in product distribution in environmental sectors. In addition to receiving Vecoplan’s shredders, Seven agreed to provide technical assistance for the machines as well as to receive intensive training for machine deployment. An added bonus of this TTT has been the strengthened relations between IRC-EGE and IRC Hessen/Rheinland Pfalz which has since resulted in further company missions related to environmental technologies.