International technology group Andritz is carrying out trials for a major research programme to transform the Austrian waste management and recycling sector towards a sustainable and resource-efficient circular economy.
The development of a ‘Smart Waste Factory’ is part of Recycling and Recovery of Waste for Future (ReWaste F), a four-year project launched in 2021 and managed by the University of Leoben. It is a consortium of four scientific institutes and 14 companies also including Redwave, Mayer Recycling, Recycleme and Siemens.
Value chain
ReWaste F involves the entire value chain: waste disposal, technology and mechanical engineering, secondary raw material utilisation, recycling, digitalisation and networking, and science. It consists of a strategic project and three technical areas with individual projects focusing on the characterisation of waste materials, their recyclability and testing of mixed waste streams.
Andritz’s Smart Waste Factory element considers the efficiency of waste treatment, increased recycling and recovery rates from mixed waste streams, and lower greenhouse gas emissions from the waste treatment system. An integrated digital platform enables overall plant monitoring, control and optimisation.
Technology centre
Andritz is currently conducting the trials for ReWaste F at its recycling technology centre in St. Michael, Austria. They involve the company’s shredder technology, sensors for real-time monitoring and classification of waste streams, and automated sorting systems using machine learning and artificial intelligence for precise recycling.
These technologies will be evaluated and optimised.
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