Switch to US site

Autoclave technology

The autoclave process, which utilises proven steam treatment technology, converts municipal solid waste to produce sanitised:

  • Recycled fibre
  • Recyclates such as metals and plastics
  • Residual waste for final disposal

The autoclave technology processes unsorted or residual waste maximising recycling and minimising landfill. Using proven steam treatment technology the process converts around 80% of municipal solid waste into useful sanitised recyclates e.g. metals and plastics for re-manufacture and useful recyclable fibre. The sanitised residual waste can be further processed or sent for final disposal.

How does the process work?

It is simple, yet highly automated recycling process that;

  • Feeds non separated or residual domestic waste into an autoclave.
  • Steam treats the waste in a rotating autoclave - which breaks it down into organic and inorganic elements.
  • Discharges sanitised materials for separation through post-processing equipment producing clean separated materials for recycling.

What happens to the processed materials?

Fibre (64%) can be used for:

  • Soil enhancer / compost / ground cover.
  • The manufacture of construction products such as:
    • fibre boarding.
    • insulation materials.
    • building blocks.
    • internal & external tiles.
  • Virtually any product made using cellulose fibre as a base material.
  • Absorbent materials.
  • A renewable energy source.

  • Metals used by existing markets
  • Plastics used by existing and new markets e.g. used in construction materials
  • Aggregates & Glass used by existing markets
  • Sanitised Residue can be further refined or disposed of through normal channels.

What are the Environmental and Community benefits?

  • Maximises waste recycling of unsorted or residual waste.
  • Extends the life of finite resources by facilitating the:
    • production of Fibre based products
    • production of Fibre based renewable energy
    • recycling of metals, plastics, glass and aggregate
  • Reduces the amount of waste to landfill and meets the EU Landfill Diversion
  • targets.
  • Exceeds relevant National or Local Government Waste Recycling Targets and
  • fulfils the EU Landfill Directive.
  • Is environmentally sustainable.
  • No pollution concerns, all waste is sanitised.
  • Alternative to incineration and no tall chimneys.
  • Provides for the reduction in waste transportation and allows the
  • Proximity Principle in BPEO to be successfully applied.
  • Meets the requirements of Best Available Techniques (BAT).
  • Modular construction to meet community requirements.

What are the Customer benefits?

  • Recycled materials are extracted from a mixed domestic waste collection round, no source separation is required by the householder, although kerbside recycling schemes do not affect the process, hence a potential significant cost saving.
  • Recycled materials that are clean can have a higher value.
  • The autoclave recycling plant is completely modular with no size upper limit.
  • Recycled materials may qualify for Recycling Credits.