Page 26 from: January / February 2012

26 January/February 2012

Among Europe’s domestic recycling

and scrap processing markets,

there are indications that perhaps

the most turbulent this year will

be found in France. In this context,

Recycling International visited the

recent Pollutec exhibition in Paris

to assess latest developments.

In common with many other European nations, France embraces its recycling indus-
try – as well as its other ‘green’ sectors – as a

provider of well-sought-after jobs and

increased sustainability. After a sharp, crisis-

driven decline in 2009, the graphs for 2010 and

2011 reflected an improvement in economic

activity for the country’s recycling sector.

On an annual basis, France’s 62 million inhabit-

ants produce some 345 million tonnes of waste:

245 million tonnes of this total is mineral waste

(mainly construction waste), 89 million tonnes

is non-mineral waste (industrial and house-

hold), while around 11 million tonnes repre-

sents hazardous waste. According to the French

government, some 80% of this waste is recycled,

either as material or recovered as energy.

Latest statistics showed a 25% increase in met-

als recycling last year, as well as 16% for paper,

13% for glass and 18% for electronic appli-

ances. But because so-called cash-for-clunkers

programmes ended in 2010, the number of

end-of-life vehicles suffered an 18% decline.

Latest acquisition
Within the traditional metals recycling segment,

the past year’s developments were dominated by

Ecore, the Dutch consortium which strengthened

its subsidiary GDE Recyclage in the north and east

of France by acquiring prominent processors

Recylux and Metalifer as well as a number of small

yards. Its most recent acquisition was at the end

of December when GDE took over Societé Genes-

tier – a family-owned, multi-disciplinary recycling

company in the Rhone-Alpes region. Genestier’s

annual output amounts to around 15 000 tonnes

of ferrous metals, 2000 tonnes of non-ferrous

metals and 1000 tonnes of industrial waste.

‘France always had a protective market, and

wasn’t that open towards foreigners,’ comments

a prominent recycler. ‘Year on year, this mental-

ity is changing, and we are interested in invest-

ing in the country.’

Given that the Pollutec exhibition in Paris is the

junior version of the show held every second

year in Lyon, the number of innovations to be

found was more limited. Also, the number of

visitors and exhibitors saw a decline of 10% (to

29 680) when compared to 2009.

Visys

The Pollutec exhibition in Paris was regarded by

Visys as the perfect place to introduce its Cayman

F Near Infra Red (NIR) optical sorting system.

The Cayman sorters are acclaimed as the com-

pany’s most advanced optical sorters dedicated

to the recycling industry. According to the Bel-

gian hi-tech sorting technology provider, the F

version is the most compact sorter in the Cayman

range and is targeted at customers requiring high

resolution optical solutions down to flake size.

The Cayman F is fed via an infeed shaker which

forms input material into a mono-layer; reject-

ed and accepted materials are subsequently

separated using in-air detection and air valve

ejection. The system has already been installed

at a large European plastics recycler.

www.visysrecycling.com

Molinari

For Italian manufacturer Molinari, 2011 saw

the introduction of two new machines – the

Helyos shredding mill and the Tynos crushing

mill, both of which have been designed to

deliver energy savings.

The vertical axis shredder features opposed cut-

ting flywheels. Capable of handling raw mate-

rials as well as residual and recyclable materials,

it is claimed to be suited to volume-reducing,

among others, wood, plastic, tanks, urban and

industrial waste, tyres, paper, rubber and bat-

teries. Compared to traditional shredders, this

unit is said to facilitate very rapid maintenance

and to achieve significant reductions in

machine downtime.

The vertical axis stator has a micromaetric

blade regulation system and the spindle is sup-

ported by two proaded and lubricated cross-

roller bearings. Furthermore, the Helyos boasts

interchangeable blades and a double-sided

unloading system adaptable to the transporter

belt or screw. Its electric motor can be delivered

E X H I B I T I O N

By Gert Van der Have

Growth curve
affirms France
as global
recycling player

Presentation of the new Cayman F sorter.

Molinari’s new Helyos shredding mill.

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