With meticulous craftsmanship, used wine barrels are transformed into distinctive pieces of furniture, including chairs, tables, benches and wine racks. Each piece is unique and tells its own story. The characteristic curvature of the barrel staves is partially preserved, giving the furniture its unmistakable design.
The process begins with the selection and inspection of used oak barrels, typically made from French or American oak. Upon arrival, the barrels are carefully dismantled into their individual components. Each stave is inspected, cleaned of any residue and cut to size if necessary. The wood is then carefully dried before being sanded, smoothed and finished on both the inside and outside. Barrel staves that cannot be used, along with other wood offcuts, are not simply discarded but processed further within the workshop.
What to Do with Wood Waste? Shredding and Briquetting Provide the Solution
To make the best possible use of these residual materials, the company relies on WEIMA machines: a WL 4 single-shaft shredder and a C 150 briquetting press.
“All material that can no longer be used, such as damaged barrel staves or wood offcuts from production, is first shredded,” explains Rüdiger Gries, Head of Sales and Finance.
The resulting wood chips are transported directly to a wood chip storage bunker via a screw conveyor system. From there, they are fed into the company’s own wood chip heating system, which supplies heat to both the production facility and the adjacent residential building. The heating system is largely automated, requiring very little manual intervention.
In addition, all woodworking machines in the workshop are connected to two dust extraction systems. The resulting wood dust and fine particles are collected, periodically briquetted and also used for heat generation. Depending on the amount of material generated, briquetting takes place approximately once or twice a month.
A Powerful Duo with a Small Footprint: WL 4 Shredder and C 150 Briquetting Press
When it comes to modern woodworking and sustainable wood waste recycling, the WL 4 and C 150 make a powerful combination. The WL 4 stands out for its robust construction, even under continuous operation. With its powerful drive, replaceable cutting knives and compact design, the wood shredder is ideally suited for businesses with limited floor space.
The C 150 briquetting press is the perfect complement, thanks to its space-saving design and proven WEIMA pressing technology. High hydraulic pressing pressure produces solid briquettes without the need for binders.
For a woodworking business such as Manufakturhof Alsenz, reliable, space-saving and energy-efficient technology is essential. Combining the two machines not only saves energy but also reduces waste volume by up to 80%, while simultaneously minimizing dust and fire hazards.
A Partnership Built on Trust: Tailored Support from WEIMA
The implementation of the closed-loop recycling system was carried out in close cooperation with WEIMA and a regional heating technology partner. The company’s individual approach to project support was particularly appreciated.
“WEIMA was one of the few companies that took the time during the quotation phase to thoroughly assess the local conditions and inspect the technical requirements on site,” says Rüdiger Gries. “That was a decisive factor in our choice of partner.”
By strategically combining the two WEIMA machines, Manufakturhof Alsenz has established a closed-loop material cycle: from repurposing used wine barrels to utilizing the remaining wood waste for energy generation.
This approach not only reduces costs but also conserves resources and minimizes waste. Here, the WEIMA machines are more than just individual solutions – they are integral components of a well-designed overall concept. Furthermore, the use of this technology supports compliance with the EU’s Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) by enabling relevant sustainability data, such as resource consumption, waste volumes and energy efficiency, to be collected, evaluated and transparently documented as part of ESG reporting.
About WEIMA
For more than 40 years, WEIMA Maschinenbau GmbH has been developing and manufacturing machinery and equipment for material processing, recycling, and the recovery of valuable resources for reintroduction into the circular economy. The company’s product range includes shredders, briquetting presses, and dewatering presses for applications in the wood, plastics, paper, metal, and waste industries.
As an experienced system supplier, WEIMA delivers both standalone machines and complete multi-stage processing lines. The family-owned company, headquartered in Ilsfeld, relies on a technology network that has grown over decades. Close collaboration within interdisciplinary project teams enables customized recycling solutions from a single source – from material feeding to the processed end product.
With more than 43.000 machines installed worldwide and production facilities in Baden-Württemberg and Saxony-Anhalt, WEIMA is one of the leading manufacturers of shredding and compaction equipment. International subsidiaries and a global partner network ensure comprehensive customer support around the world.
For more information, visit weima.com.
