Member Article

UNTHA’s largest four shaft shredder heads to LKM

UNTHA’s largest four shaft shredder has been installed at renowned waste management firm LKM Recycling.

The RS150 has been procured to maximise materials recovery and revenue generation at this increasingly diverse recycling specialist. Over 40 years ago, LKM started out as a scrap metal business but fast forward to 2017 and the 55-strong company is now handling everything from metals and glass, to wood, plastic and general waste.

This robust 22 tonne machine will therefore enable LKM to process an array of complex and often heavy duty applications including aluminium, tyres and uPVC windows. Set to achieve throughputs of up to 12 tonnes per hour, the RS150 and its quick-change screens will achieve flexible homogenous particle sizing as small as 30mm, depending on customer requirements.

It is also expected that LKM’s annual recycling volumes will increase by up to 25% in line with the team’s ability to now profitably process a wider range of materials.

Commenting on the investment, LKM’s managing director Tony Hughes said: “This is our first UNTHA machine – in fact it is the first processing machine we’ve ever bought. It will completely revolutionise our approach to recycling because we’ll soon be able to liberate all of the materials from the streams we process. By shredding and screening uPVC windows, for instance, we’ll be able to separate the ‘waste’ into its component parts with ease. This means more material going back into the industry for reprocessing, and more revenue yield for our business.

“The high torque, slow speed eco-drive concept within this machine will also keep power consumption low, which minimises our carbon footprint and saves on energy costs. You wouldn’t expect these efficiencies within such a heavy duty machine of this size.

“This sophisticated new low-noise operation now really sets us apart from competitors of our size.”

Having first begun the market research phase three years ago, the LKM team has since travelled to UNTHA’s Austrian headquarters to see the RS shredders in production and to trial the machine using an array of materials.

Tony continues: “We’ve been really impressed with the UNTHA set up. Of course the shredding technology is renowned, but there’s a real focus on the development of relationships too. I suppose that’s how they ensure clients get the greatest return from their assets long into the future.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Katie Mallinson .