Solid recovered fuel (SRF) & refuse-derived fuel (RDF)

Stage 1

Supply & crushing

The waste is crushed to standardise the size of the objects to be sorted.

Stage 2

Separation by size

The waste is screened so that small, non‑combustible items can be removed.

Stage 3

Separation by density

Heavy, non‑combustible items (such as inert items, wood and metals) are separated out from the lighter items using an aeraulic separator.

Stage 4

Sorting by material

The recyclable part of the heavy items (wood and metals) is extracted with the help of a combination of optical sorters, overbands and non‑ferrous separators. Depending on the intended destination of the wood, it may undergo a quality control check.

Similarly, in the flow of light‑weight waste, the metals and certain plastics can be removed from the flow of light waste for subsequent recycling, with the help of an overband and optical sorters.

Stage 5

Pelletising

The remainder, mostly consisting of paper, cardboard, fabric, foam and light plastic, is then reduced to the desired particle size, ready for use as an alternative fuel to power cement works and industrial heating plants.