Size Reduction

Size reduction technology innovations in waste handling and recycling operations

Particle size reduction of recyclable materials during the shredding of modern end-of-life products plays a vital role in the composition (and quality) of the intermediate recycling streams and the ultimate material recovery and, therefore, recycling rate. To transfer valuable waste materials into reusable materials that can be reused as secondary raw materials, a perfectly functioning, robust technology with specified material preparation and designed for continuous operation is needed.

Size Reduction

Waste size reduction reduces the size of bigger particles into smaller particles of desired size and shape. The main objectives of size reduction of waste are easy disposal of waste, improved handling characteristics, decrease in particle size, and intimate mixing. Size reduction of waste is mainly achieved using granulators, shredders, and pulverizers.

Granulators are used to reprocess a material so that its size and density are closer to the virgin material. The reprocessed material can then be used in the recycling process. After granulation, materials can be recycled more easily.

Shredding is a waste disposal technique to reduce everything, from paper to e-waste to industrial waste. Shredders are used to shred large parts into smaller, more usable parts. Shredders are often used because they can process a wide range of materials of different sizes. The processed material from the shredders is often fed to a granulator.

Pulverization is the process of applying a force to a solid material to destroy it and reduce it into pieces that are smaller than the original size. Pulverization has been done for many materials, including ore, glass, paints, ceramics, and medicines.

Size reduction refers to the conversion of solid wastes into smaller portions. This helps to obtain the final product in reasonably uniform and considerably reduced size compared to the original form. It is essential in recovering materials for reuse and conversion to energy.

Size reduction is essential in developing and operating any solid waste management system. The system’s primary purpose is to reduce the size and volume of waste, compared to its original form, and produce waste of uniform size. Size reduction or compaction refers to densifying wastes to reduce their size.

The processing of wastes helps achieve the best possible benefit from every functional element of the solid waste management system. Therefore, it requires a proper selection of techniques and equipment for every aspect.

The purpose of processing

  • Improving the efficiency of the SWM system
  • Recovering material for reuse
  • Recovering conversion products and energy

Size reduction involves several benefits. It helps improve the life of the product. It also gives the final product a better appearance, texture, and taste. Some of the essential benefits are:

  • Reduction in the number of materials to be handled at the disposal site
  • Improved efficiency of collection and disposal of wastes
  • Increased life of landfills
  • Economically viable solid waste management system

These advantages vary from industry to industry. In the chemical industry, size reduction helps increase the surface conductivity, gives the product smoother surface quality, and allows higher particle packing.

Particle size reduction helps the drug perform more efficiently for the pharmaceutical industry, and it increases the absorption and uptake of the drug in the body. Size reduction equipment brings with it several benefits, such are:

  • The equipment helps with increasing the overall surface area
  • The appropriate size reduction equipment allows the generation of uniform particle size.
  • This increase in surface area results in a higher rate of absorption. The smaller the particle, the greater is the absorption.

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Experts for Size Reduction

Andre Matula, Business Development Director – UK & Europe Have been involved in over 200 recycling equipment projects, from simple to large MRF’s and system retrofits. Travelled globally, visiting many sites, and gaining a broad perspective on many applications such as, C&D, DMR, Plastics, SRF/RDF, Glass, Metals and their current trends, and changes within the industry. Experience in helping customers in their new and current business to turn a problematic process / material into a profitable commodity along with technical advice / support on how to achieve this via design etc. Proven leadership skills involving managing, developing, and motivating individuals to achieve their objectives. First class in design, problem solving and detailed reporting skills.
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Joe Cetti specialises in providing recycling companies with support and advice on metal separation and recovery. Since the early 1990s, Joe has supported recycling companies and has witnessed the evolution of metal separation and detection technology. During site visits, Joe draws on his extensive experience to assess and then propose the optimum solution for any given application. Recent projects include an ElectroStatic Separator for blue chip British company, and an Eddy Current Separator for an eWaste recycling projects.
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WEIMA Sales Director Patrick Henzler is a proud and experienced member of the WEIMA family since 2007, after he graduated from the University of Essen, Germany as B.A in Economics three years earlier. Patrick is a business expert for all kinds of shredding and recycling solutions, especially for the plastics and waste markets. His successes include tapping into the Indian recycling market, where WEIMA founded a joint venture with regional partner company Kiron in 2019. Over the past decades, Patrick has worked with a large number of well-known customers worldwide – e.g. Veolia, RKW, Remondis, Plastika Kritis, Jindal Polyfilms, CEDO, Geocycle.
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Angelo Minoldi is working in the environmental technology sector for almost 25 years, 20 years of that in the baling presses sector. His experience ranges from machinery development to project manager and head of the technical department. He is specialised in baling presses, shredders and recycling solid waste sorting plants. Since 2014 he is part of the project engineering team at HSM Germany and creates customized solution for the waste recycling area all over the world.
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Maximilian Gutmayr, international sales manager at Erdwich Zerkleinerungs-Systeme GmbH since 2017, is an expert for shredding systems, hammer mills as well as complete recycling solutions. After studying Economics at University of Augsburg and different stations abroad, e.g. Japan, Switzerland, etc. he joined the company Erdwich Zerkleinerungs-Systeme GmbH and is now responsible for worldwide projects and the constant business development. The company Erdwich Zerkleinerungs-Systeme GmbH has experience in the recycling branch since more than 40 years and delivers shredding solutions and turn-key recycling plants to customers all over the world, e.g. electronic scrap treatment plants, refrigerator recycling plants, solutions for metal swarf treatment, cardboard processing, and many more applications. The worldwide demand for recycling solutions in the environmental branch and of course the changing material mixtures increased over the last years drastically especially in Asian countries where Mr. Gutmayr is an expert in. You can contact Mr. Gutmayr by phone +49(0) 8191965240 or via email: m.gutmayr@erdwich.de for further questions.
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Tana Oy’s Vice President of Sales and Marketing Mr. Olli Heinonen has a strong knowledge of global sales and heavy machinery business. Prior to his current role, Olli was the Director for a consumables product line at Metso Outotec and Metso. At Tana Oy, Olli is responsible for overseeing the sales and marketing efforts, ensuring that the company’s products meet the evolving needs of customers in the waste management industry. His leadership contributes to Tana’s strong growth path and the mission of delivering innovative and efficient solutions that help manage waste sustainably.
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Xu Xifeng, the founder of Keson and vice president of Jiangsu Low Carbon Environment Design Institute of China. He has been engaged in solid waste recycling industry for more than 10 years, and has unique insights on solid waste overall solutions and resource recovery and sorting systems. He has visited well-known solid waste treatment companies in the Middle East, Europe, America and other regions, introducing standardized, refined and systematic management concepts of global top enterprises to his enterprises, and transforming advanced technologies and processes into productive forces. Within five years of solid waste sorting technology and waste resources in the field of rapid layout, his products are sold in 17 countries and more than 40 regions.
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