News in Brief – Technology and Products

TITECH to provide sorting technology for Exeter MRF

The 4.2 million MRF will have the capacity to handle up to 75,000 tonnes of commercial and industrial waste a year once it comes online in April 2012. McDonald International will be installing three TITECH auto-sort optical sorting system at the facility.

Commenting on the deal, Simon Almond, managing director at Devon Contract Waste, said: TITECHs involvement from an early stage in this project meant that we were able to tap into the teams expertise in C&I sorting, ensuring that the MRF consistently delivers an excellent quality output. The technology will enable us to maximise the recovery of materials for re-sale, ultimately contributing to company growth. TITECHs attention to detail and ongoing support is second-to-none, and we look forward to working together further as the MRF moves towards construction.

NIpak develops obligation calculating software

Northern Irelands only locally-based packaging compliance scheme, NIpak, has developed a piece of software which provides retailers with a detailed packaging datasheet created from their sales information.

Entitled CheckOut, the software provides a tailor-made solution for retailers calculating the exact tonnage of packaging created, meaning only the minimum amount of PRNs need to be purchased to meet their obligations.

Announcing the release of the software NIpaks managing director Simon Stringer said: Like so many other companies, our members have been finding trading conditions really tough during the current recession. Checkout minimises the amount of time that a retailer needs to spend on a task that has to be done, but can distract from core business activities. CheckOut is our response to our members need to find a way to comply with the Packaging Regulations easily and cost-effectively.

Fully automated crane installed at Osterley CCHP

German-based crane manufacturer Demag Cranes has installed a fully automated crane system that will feed woodchip biomass into the furnace at a combined cooling, heating and power (CCHP) plant in Osterley, West London. The plant is part of broadcaster Skys new studio complex.

Demag Cranes installed a 7.8 metre span overhead travelling crane, which incorporates a DR-Pro electric wire rope hoist. Suspended from the hoist is a specialist 4.5 cubic metre capacity clam shell grab with teeth and side knives which enable the crane to transfer woodchip biomass into the furnace when sensors indicate that it requires replenishment.

The plant was designed and operated by commercial bioenergy specialist, Clearpower which provides Sky Studios with heat and electricity.

Clearpowers chief executive John Heffman said: Demag Cranes has engineered the most appropriate and competitively priced solution for this application. The crane system has also helped us overcome the difficulties associated with the limited space available for the development of the CCHP facility.

Ultimate glove for waste and recycling industry

Waste management company Global Renewables Lancashire Operations Ltd (GRLOL) has teamed-up with glove manufacturer and designer Polyco to create the Wastemaster, an ultimate glove designed specifically to meet the needs of GRLOLs workers who manually sort waste.

GRLOL handles 300,000 tonnes-a year of waste at its mechanical biological treatment (MBT) plant. The waste is manually sorted by its workers who are constantly exposed to potentially dangerous items such as needles, hazardous liquids and broken glass.

The Wastemaster has two layers that offer a high level of protection against sharp objects as well as allowing the user flexibility of movement and dexterity. The glove uses HexArnour SuperFabric technology which Polyco says provides unparalleled needlestick, cut, puncture and abrasion resistance.

Peter Halliwell, regional occupational health and safety and quality manager at GRLOL, said: We were unable to find a glove on the market that would provide the full hand protection and comfort needed for the job, so we turned to Polyco, confident in the knowledge that they could develop new products for individual clients. Working in collaboration with Polyco, the Wastemaster has been developed to provide all the protection required of an underglove, along with excellent flexibility. I am now confident that we have provided a solution that ensures that our employees are fully protected against hand injuries.

Strautmann baler outperforms expectations

A baler produced by German-manufacturer Strautmann, recently installed at IKEAs Gateshead store is outperforming all expectations, according to the retailers management.

The Strautmann Baletainer, designed to work outdoors, compacts IKEAs recyclable waste which consists of; paper; cardboard; and, PET bottles. The baler has a small footprint of 200cm x 500cm and presses a bale in three slices, not one as is considered standard, reducing the amount of energy required.

Stephen Faddy, recovery department manager at the IKEA Gateshead store, said: We now have a solution for baling cardboard, and have gained extra income in the process. Also, as we now bale our cardboard, we dont have crates standing in the yard thereby saving space.

Eriez Europe expands with 19,000 sq. ft. facility

Eriez Europe, manufacturer of magnetic separation and metal sorting equipment, is expanding its manufacturing capacity with the purchase of a 19,000 square foot building in Caerphilly, South Wales.

The building is located next to its existing premises and manufacturing is expected to start at the new building in April 2012.

Commenting on its expansion Paul Fears, managing director at Eriez, said: Despite the difficult economic climate, we have been able to continually increase our manufacturing output. To facilitate this growth, it was imperative that we expanded our facility. We have received fantastic support from our headquarters in Erie, USA, and this is a clear statement that competitive and successful manufacturing in the UK is a reality.