Tech highlights from IFAT Munich

Germany – Both French sorting systems expert Pellenc ST and shredding pioneer Intimus were eager to come to Munich to show off their latest innovations at the highly anticipated IFAT expo.

‘We have had a busy week,’ said Florence Champ of Pellenc ST, standing in front of the Mistral + with a smile. ‘This all-in-one concept model is based on over 1200 machines sold and feedback collected during a four-year research and development project,’ she told Recycling International. ‘Greatly enhanced’

‘Basically, we have reinvented a best-seller to be more versatile, reliable and easy to operate,’ Champ noted. ‘Some changes like the new upper platform, output box access and retractable block switch result in 50% less maintenance time,’ she explained. Besides a brand-new user interface offering real-time material monitoring and smart analysis, the machine detection system itself was greatly enhanced. ‘The new Mistral realises 35% more electro valve efficiency – partly thanks to the dustproof and waterproof design,’ Champ pointed out.

New vision

‘It just so happens that our new ceo Jean Henin is very ambitious and has inspired us all with his vision. Actually, more than one third of people working at our company are now working on tomorrow’s solutions,’ she remarked. ‘This is definitely a positive thing about having a young, tech-savvy man leading the company.’ At least 10% of annual turnover (around EUR 26 million) is invested in research & development activities and organising over 150 training sessions to ensure the maintenance experts and 24/7 hotline crew can offer optimal assistance.

E-shredder for communities

Ever since 1665, UK company Intimus has been developing shredders – originally designed to treat paper. ‘The electronics market has changed to rapidly,’ recalled Jochen Ströhm at the expo. ‘We simply had to deliver new ways to treat this growing waste stream. The FlashEx model on display is so small it can easily be placed at offices and retail stores,’ he suggested.

It can shred almost any small electronic device, including tablets and mobile phones, as well as bank cards with the certainty that no data can be recovered by other parties. ‘I think such modular shredders will ultimately benefit communities like university dorms – perhaps this trend will be more substantial already in the next five or so years,’ Ströhm speculated.

Keep an eye on our upcoming June/July issue for part 1 of RI’s IFAT preview.