December, 16 2011

Cleaning metals in Austria

Gaugl Metallhandel opens new site with MeWa technology

Styria in Austria is another big environmental project richer: Gaugl Metallhandel GmbH opened its new 22,000 sq. m site in the Ecoregion Kaindorf with a great celebration. The new MeWa technology enables the company to respond optimally to the variety of materials and thus to emerge on the market as a sorting and processing plant for scrap metal.

Environmental awareness has always played a big role in Austria. This can be seen not only in the anti-nuclear stance of the Austrian population but also in the implementation of many innovative environmental projects such as, for example, the introduction of the biodegradable plastic bag.

Ecoregion Kaindorf
Six communities in Styria have gone a step further, by joining together in 2007 to form the „Ecoregion Kaindorf“. The Ecoregion Kaindorf runs an ecological recycling economy and is largely self-sufficient thanks to its use of renewable energy. It would therefore soon like to become a model region for the whole country. The aim is to achieve CO2 neutrality by 2020. Each individual citizen is brought on board and is therefore able to make his contribution to the pursued objective. This should not only move the region forward ecologically but should also help to boost the economy. The Gaugl Metallhandel GmbH company has now consciously invested in a new site in this region.

Launched in 1972 as an individual enterprise in the field of scrap car recycling, the Gaugl company continuously developed its range of services. Over the years, the two core businesses commercial vehicles workshop and Gaugl Metallhandel GmbH were formed. This company, which provides the majority of Gaugl Holding‘s total revenue, collects scrap metal from the production, construction and household fields as well as metal-containing composite materials, commercial waste, scrap wood, used tyres and scrap cars.

Ecological concept
Expansion, a higher volume of orders in recent years and growing environmental awareness meant that within just six weeks a new site was developed, with more room and modern plant technology. The photovoltaic system on the hall roof and the passive house office building show that the environmental awareness of the region matters a great deal to Gaugl Metallhandel GmbH. Up to a third of the power requirement can be self-produced and, most importantly, is „green“. The company paid out 7.2 million euros for the entire project and invested in a brand new plant design for the whole of Austria.

A choice of two plant lines
Gaugl Metallhandel GmbH now has a choice of two different pre-treatment procedures. This allows the optimum procedure to be used, depending on the material composition. No matter which line is used for breaking down material, the job always belongs to a MeWa machine. Whether the material is aluminum/iron rope, steel wire, aluminum/plastic profiles or reject rope from the paper industry, the UC 130 Rotary Shear shows tenacity and grinds the material to the optimum size for the subsequent process. A UG 1600 MSL Granulator then further grinds the material down to a size of 30 mm.

The second line is defined by a Querstromzerspaner QZ 1600. The material processed here is primarily a mixed, contaminated scrap fraction which, in this state, is practically worthless. The MeWa QZ with its rotating chains breaks up the composite materials within seconds. The individual fractions such as iron, aluminum, copper, plastic and textiles are discharged separately from each other. Subsequent sieves and iron separators now have an easy job.

Both lines finally meet up on a collating conveyor for final cleaning. There, a drum magnet removes any remaining metal parts. In the last step, a non-ferrous separator separates off the aluminum and copper from the residual fraction. At the end, the fractions have a high degree of purity and can be sold on to material users for a good price. The MeWa Querstromzerspaner has therefore now also made a name for itself as a professional metal-cleaning machine.

Celebratory opening
In traditional Styrian style, the new site was opened with a great celebration. In numerous guided tours for politicians, press and many other invited guests, the MeWa Rotary Shear, Granulator and Querstromzerspaner machines quickly became the stars of the show. The new recycling plant further enriches the Ecoregion Kaindorf, becoming a role model for the whole country. And this was the precise intention of the project.