FEATURED TOPIC - ORGANICS
The power of combined experience A PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN CEA SPECIALTY EQUIPMENT AND COMPOST ENGINEERS CHRISTIAENS GROUP IS SET TO DELIVER A FULL PACKAGE OF SOLUTIONS FOR ORGANIC WASTE MANAGEMENT WITHIN AUSTRALIA.
W
ith more than 50 years’ experience in organic composting, Christiaens Group knows first-hand the challenges the industry faces. Over the years it has evolved from mushroom compost production to developing In Vessel Composting (IVC) plants that treat a range of organic solids, including waste, in facilities worldwide. The Netherlands-based company’s proven track record in designing and building compost solutions makes it ideally placed to help Australia as it aims to increase the food and organic waste recycling rate across the nation. In partnering with CEA Specialty Equipment, Christiaens Group is looking to break into the Australian market and bring together “the power of combined experience”. “CEA Specialty Equipment is well known in Australia. It knows the potential customers and culture having a national footprint of company-owned branches and dedicated waste staff. Furthermore, it already provides preand post-processing equipment for the organics industry,” says Marco GroszeHolz, Christiaens Engineering and Development Business Development Manager Waste. “Together with Christiaens Group’s IVC technology and equipment the two companies can provide a complete package for waste treatment.”
A Christiaens Group compost plant.
IVC systems ensure that composting takes place in an enclosed environment, such as tunnels, with accurate temperature control and monitoring. The Christiaens Group has set the standard in compost facility design. Using best available technique in air treatment, the group’s IVC systems include multi-stage acid scrubbers with bio filters that are designed for low energy consumption and a more than 96 per cent reduction in ammonia. Plant capacity can vary from 10,000 to 360,000 tonnes per year and incorporate from 6 x 30-metre tunnels up to 12 x 65-metre tunnels. In total, the company has built more than 1 million square metres of tunnel surface worldwide. All key components, from air handling systems and duct work to control panels and systems are designed and built by the Christians Group internally, resulting in cost-effective
builds. Some low-tech components are produced at the company’s factory in China. The company has worked with major mushroom growers across Australia and New Zealand, including Parwan and Elf Farm Supplies. It has also been involved in a waste project at Shellharbour. While the group is mostly known for its mushroom composting, Marco says the same technology can be employed to treat organic waste. “Waste is a more industrial approach, whereas mushroom composting is agrobusiness,” he says. Christiaens Group waste plants are concentrated across Europe and Canada where there is the “biggest demand” but Marco says Australia’s current focus to divert organics from landfill offers an ideal opportunity to expand. For more information visit: www.komptechcea.com.au
www.wastemanagementreview.com.au / WMR / 37
