European firm targets magnets to auto shredder and concrete crushing applications.

Netherlands-based magnetic equipment producer Goudsmit Magnetics says it will display its “recently developed range of mobile overband [crossbelt] magnets” at the IFAT trade fair in Munich, May 30-June 3.

Some of its “modularly designed” magnets can be used to remove iron particles from underlying material streams and are intended for mobile recycling systems such as shredders, crushers and screens, says the firm.

“The magnetic separators are constructed with either ferrite or neodymium magnets, with the latter being upgraded from a two-pole to a three-pole system,” says Goudsmit. Neodymium is stronger while the price is ferrite is more desirable, adds the company.

“The compact and strong neodymium three-pole overband allows iron to rotate more and pulls it loose, even when it is under a pile of material,” states Goudsmit. The strength of the magnet can result in a cleaner product and can allow more metal to be recovered, adds the company.

For the aggregates recycling market, Goudsmit says its crossbelt magnet styles include some to cater to the “diverse power supply” range that can be used by mobile crushers. Its magnets also are available in various working widths ranging from 650 millimeters (25.5 inches) to 1,400 millimeters (55 inches).

To offer the magnets protection in harsh recycling environments, a protective cover on shafts and bearings is designed to prevent metal parts such as steel wire from wrapping around the shaft of the unit. “The optimized shielding on the underside of the belt ensures that no iron parts can get between the belt and the magnet,” states the Dutch equipment producer.

Goudsmit says its three-pole ferrite system initially was used for overhead conveyor magnets but has now been “optimized for mobile applications.”

Firefighting equipment firm says its infrared systems can detect and identify sparks and embers in material stockpiles.

Germany-based fire prevention and firefighting equipment company Fagus-GreCon has issued a white paper recommending its infrared detectors as a tactic to suppress fires in recycling facilities before they become major incidents.

In its 15-page white paper, the company says that spark and ember detection systems already are installed on hundreds of recycling facilities across the world (Fagus-GreCon says 300,000 of its detectors are deployed globally), but “there are hundreds more that could benefit from their use.”

States Fagus-GreCon, “Using infrared sensors to detect the kinetic energy irradiated from sparks, embers, and hot particles, the presence of ignition sources can be detected within the recycling process.”

The firm lists several locations within a plant where such sensors can be helpful, including “outfeed from conveyors, trommels, and dryers; transfer points between mechanical conveyors; [and] ducting in dust extraction systems.”

Such detectors, says Fagus-GreCon “can identify a single spark or ember, allowing for mitigatory action to be initiated before a fire can take hold.”

As to the scale of the problem, Fagus-GreCon says in the United Kingdom alone, the National Fire Chiefs

Council (NFCC) reported more than 4,300 waste or recycling facility fires between 2001 and 2013. More than three-quarters of these, says the firm, “were on regulated sites [where] permitting regimes were in place specific to the waste operations and installations.”

In the report, Fagus-GreCon notes lithium-ion batteries “continue to present a challenge in extinguishing or suppressing the [fire] risk they pose.” GreCon says it has experience designing systems to identify where a detected ignition source or fire results from a battery in a thermal runaway condition, and it has worked with operators “to de-risk the downstream processes and storage areas.”

The Fagus-GreCon white paper can be downloaded from this web page.

The association signed a joint letter suggesting the Biden administration could work on port infrastructure, address freight bottlenecks at major highway interchanges or invest in grade separation projects.

The National Waste & Recycling Association (NWRA), Arlington, West Virginia, joined more than 50 other associations in a letter urging U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg to invest grant money from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) in projects aimed at easing supply chain challenges.  

“The waste and recycling industry and the United States Postal Service are the only two entities that travel every road in America at least once a week,” says Darrell Smith, president and CEO of the NWRA. “Investments in these projects will improve safety, help strengthen the American economy and enable the men and women of our industry to do their jobs even more efficiently.”  

The joint letter says for the past two years, the supply chain has endured extreme slowdowns due to pandemic-related pressures. IHS Markit, a data research firm that surveys businesses on their supply delivery times, found that, after a decade of constant or slightly declining delivery times, their index, starting in 2020, has signaled a “substantial and widespread” slowdown of the supply chain. Pandemic-induced record cargo volumes have put pressure on the supply chain leading to abnormally long loading and unloading times at seaports, inland ports and throughout all modes of transportation.  

For example, on-time reliability for the shipping industry hit a historic low in the third quarter of 2021, falling to 34 percent from a recent high above 80 percent.  

“With multimodal traffic patterns returning to prepandemic levels while the supply-chain problems persist, the U.S. Department of Transportation should focus the $18 billion in Infrastructure for Rebuilding America, Mega and Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvement grant programs put forward over the next five years on making the physical improvements necessary to address these issues,” the letter states.   

The joint letter suggests the Biden administration could invest in projects like making improvements to port infrastructure, addressing freight bottlenecks at major highway interchanges or investing in grade separation projects.  

Other associations urging Buttigieg to invest in infrastructure improvements include the Construction and Demolition Recycling Association, the National Demolition Association and the American Iron & Steel Institute.

Harsco subsidiary says it found markets for vast majority of materials handled last year.

Clean Earth, a division of King of Prussia, Pennsylvania-based Harsco Corp. that provides environmental and regulated waste management services, says it succeeded in recycling more than 4 million tons of materials last year.

That total, says the company, included “several hard-to-treat specialty wastes, such as hazardous and non-hazardous waste, contaminated soil, dredge material, universal and e-waste.” The diverted and recycled volume represented 93 percent of what Clean Earth processed in 2021 “and represents continued progress toward the goal of deriving 90 percent of Harsco Corp.’s revenue from environmental solutions,” states the firm.

By volume, contaminated soil was the largest byproduct handled by Clean Earth last year, followed by dredged material and hazardous waste.

“Every day, we develop and implement innovative solutions to turn the world’s largest waste streams into recycling opportunities that positively impact our planet and the people who inhabit it,” says David Stanton, president of Clean Earth. “We are proud of our sustainability achievements in 2021 and look forward to continuing to strengthen and grow our capabilities.”

Harsco says its 2021 environmental, social and corporate governance (ESG) report is set to be released this September 2022 “and will further highlight Clean Earth’s efforts in sustainability and provide additional information about future initiatives.”

Wisconsin-based crusher maker reaches distribution agreements with two British firms.

Milwaukee-based concrete crushing and screening equipment maker Lippmann has announced its entrance into the United Kingdom market. The company has teamed up with two distributors in the nation: Stewart Plant Sales (SPS) and Aggregates Processing & Recycling Ltd (Agg Pro).

 will now be providing quality crushing and screening systems to aggregates suppliers throughout

“Taking this first step into the U.K. is an exciting time for Lippmann,” says Kevin Kiesgen, a vice president with the firm. “We look forward to the next 100 years in this region and know that we have partnered with two strong and well-respected specialist distributors”

SPS will be responsible for Scotland and Northern England (including Lancashire and North Yorkshire) while Agg Pro will cover Wales and all remaining English counties south of those covered by SPS.

“Agg Pro’s history of putting customers first and its extensive service department made it a clear choice as a dealer for Lippmann,” says Kiesgen. “Along with over 25 years in the crushing business, they have an extensive knowledge base for establishing the products and brand in the U.K.”

SPS has what Lippmann calls a long and rich history in the heavy equipment market in Scotland and Northern England. “We are confident it will be a smooth and successful transition bringing Lippmann crushing and screening equipment into their portfolio and to their customers,” says Kiesgen.

Among the products Lippmann intends to market in the U.K. is its new 1200j-e, which it calls a heavy-duty, mobile jaw crusher that can be powered via electric power or an onboard diesel generator. Its double-deck prescreen feeds a 48-inch by 34-inch high-inertia single toggle jaw.