Processing around 1.4 million tonnes of waste annually, AEB, like many waste and recycling operators across Europe has seen a sharp rise in nitrous oxide cylinders entering household waste. These high‑pressure metal canisters, increasingly linked to recreational misuse, present a serious hazard when they reach waste plants. Under heat or pressure, they can explode, endangering workers and causing significant equipment damage.
Despite public guidance advising against disposal of nitrous oxide canisters in household bins, volumes continue to increase. Manual removal had become unsafe and unsustainable for AEB, prompting the search for a fully automated solution.
To mitigate the risk, AEB installed two heavy‑duty Magnapower permanent overband magnets engineered for continuous operation in high‑throughput environments. Positioned strategically within the processing line, the units generate a deep, powerful magnetic field capable of lifting and extracting metal contaminants, including nitrous oxide cylinders, from the fast‑moving waste streams.
Since commissioning, AEB has reported a zero pass‑through rate for nitrous oxide canisters. Every cylinder entering the waste stream has been intercepted before reaching downstream equipment.
Key benefits delivered include:
- Complete elimination of explosion risks within the plant
- Protection of critical machinery from impact and heat damage
- Improved operational continuity with fewer stoppages
- Enhanced environmental and regulatory compliance
- Increased worker safety
- Low ongoing operating costs
This outcome demonstrates the effectiveness of magnetic separation as a frontline defence against hazardous metal contaminants in modern waste processing.
Jan Comergo of COMERGO SERVICES commented: “AEB came to us with a clear challenge and a clear expectation: they needed a solution that would remove every nitrous oxide canister from their waste stream. The Magnapower overbands have delivered exactly that. We value our partnership with AEB and are pleased to support their leadership in safe waste processing.”
AEB’s investment reflects a growing industry trend as waste operators across Europe seek automated, reliable technologies to manage the escalating challenge of nitrous oxide canisters. The success of the Magnapower overband magnets underscores how targeted engineering solutions can deliver immediate, measurable improvements in safety and operational resilience.
Matt Hencher, Commercial Director at Magnapower, added “Working with AEB and COMERGO SERVICES on this project has been a great example of how collaboration leads to real operational improvements. The overbands are performing exactly as designed, and the zero pass‑through rate speaks volumes about the system’s capability.”
