Energy is all around us, just waiting to be released

Pre-Shredder Hurricane

ENERGY IS ALL AROUND US,

JUST WAITING TO BE RELEASED

Biomass Drum-Chipper Sorting at MSW plant RDF plant

MSW Pre-Shredder

Coal and petroleum are obvious sources of energy because they have been exploited to serve this purpose for centuries, but less obvious materials, such as the waste and refuse produced by our modern industrial society are also valuable energy sources. Old wooden pallets, film, PET bottles, metals, household and commercial waste – can all be converted for use in the production of energy. You just need the expertise to release it!

VECOPLAN AG, Bad Marienberg, Germany, has the expertise. For more than 40 years, VECOPLAN AG has designed, engineered, manufactured, and commissioned technologically advanced machines and systems that shred, convey and process primary and secondary resources in production and recycling processes. The efficient recovery and recycling of residual materials requires state-of-the art environmental technologies, which can only be achieved through a combination of skill and knowledge in engineering, research and development.

Because the goal is high: it is about the future. Not only in Germany or Europe – but worldwide.

Emma-Jane Batey spoke to head of business development Jörg Müller to learn more about a company, which works and lives under the mission “technology for a sustainable tomorrow”.

Long before the importance of recycling took root in our collective consciousness, Irene Scheidweiler, Hans-Josef Leukel and Jürgen Musche recognised how important efficient reprocessing of valuable materials would be for the future. In 1969, they made a bold and

Re-Shredder Jörg Müller Plastic Recycling

far-sighted business decision, and founded VECOPLAN. Thus a pioneering company was born. Today VECOPLAN is a subsidiary of M.A.X. Automation AG in Düsseldorf – whose continuous innovative strength has made it a worldwide market leader in the international raw materials and recyclables industry.

“The large number of patents held by VECOPLAN are tangible evidence of what we have achieved together over many years,” says Jörg Müller, “we have established a strong reputation as innovators through the technologies we have developed for our customers and as a reliable partner through our performance in the delivery of customised solutions, from planning through to implementation.”

Historically rooted in wood recycling, VECOPLAN has grown into one of the most versatile companies in the recycling industry with an extensive product portfolio. By clearly structuring and organising areas of expertise according to markets, VECOPLAN achieves the highest degree of precision for their seven markets: Wood, biomass and pelletizing, alternative fuels, domestic and commercial waste, plastic, paper and special applications. In addition to shredding technology VECOPLAN offers a comprehensive range of technologically advanced machinery for conveying, screening, separating, storage, and dosing.

“Whether processing waste for conversion to energy or for traditional recycling, the first stage is shredding. With the invention and launch of the well-known VAZ single-shaft shredder in 1984, VECOPLAN established itself as a leader in shredding technology. From then until now the VAZ has written its own success story. This is demonstrated not only by the most recently issued patents, but also through the number of shredders delivered and successfully operating in factories around the world,” states Jörg Müller. The diversity of materials that the shredder is able

Demonstration and Test Facility

VAZ Shredder

to process and the wide range of applications in which it is used is particularly impressive. The machine’s unique design allows it to be adapted to changing requirements quickly and reliably.

VECOPLAN also focuses on the energy efficiency of the machines they produce. In 2005, systems engineers at VECOPLAN developed a revolutionary drive motor for their shredders. Gearless and water-cooled the HiTorc® direct drive motor allows power savings of up to 60 per cent.

The company exports more than 85 per cent of its machines and is active worldwide. Its ongoing strategy for growth is to own offices or subsidiaries in all major global markets. VECOPLAN will increase their growth both through organic expansion and acquisitions. The latest subsidiary started their business in Spain in July of this year and in April 2012 VECOPLAN AG acquired the company WasteTec GmbH, Wetzlar. At the moment over 450 employees are working inside the main facility in Germany, the United States, Austria, Great Britain and Spain.

And they all have one vision: Develop “technology for a sustainable tomorrow”.

Because the goal is high: it is about the future. Not only in Germany or Europe – but worldwide. n

Shredder production