Bonfiglioli delivers sustainable innovations
True to its motto “Engineering sustainability”, Bonfiglioli develops, designs, and manufactures customized solutions for the collection, shredding, and sorting of waste materials to make recycling as efficient as possible. At IFAT 2026, the company presented its comprehensive solutions for recycling, biogas production, and wastewater treatment.
Complete drive solutions for the entire biogas value chain
Biogas is a renewable, environmentally friendly energy source produced through the anaerobic digestion of organic materials. Bonfiglioli offers solutions for biogas production plants using both municipal solid waste (MSW) and agricultural waste. For MSW treatment, the entire process chain is covered: from the pre-treatment of the fermentate with shredders and dewatering machines, through biomass conveyors, to agitators for anaerobic digestion plants and separators. The solution for anaerobic digestion plants presented at IFAT integrates three core components: a 300-series planetary gearhead, a low-voltage asynchronous electric motor from the EVOX BXN series – a modular three-phase motor with an integrated DC brake – and the smart AxiaAgile frequency converter. This features a “variable cutting position” for smaller particles and energy-saving functions that guarantee reliable system operation.
The 300 series proves to be a top-of-the-line product thanks to its outstanding versatility. In addition to the shredding and de-compacting phases, it ensures efficient power transmission in bio-mixers and agitators, where it performs well in both horizontal and inclined positions. In anaerobic digesters, it guarantees high peak load capacity and excellent mechanical performance. This compact series combines high torque density and shock resistance with easy maintenance and ATEX certification. The latter is required for operation in potentially explosive atmospheres and is one of the features that makes Bonfiglioli gearboxes ideal for small and medium-sized biogas plants, where the entire line is often concentrated in a single operating environment. Planetary gear technology offers performance comparable to that of traditional bevel-helical gearboxes, but with lower weight, a more compact size, and a better price-performance ratio for OEMs.
Performance for pre-shredding in demanding recycling environments
In the recycling process, pre-shredding is crucial for preparing the material for downstream sorting or post-shredding. Bonfiglioli presented the R3 series of double-planetary drives, the right choice for all heavy-duty applications where vibrations and shocks are common. The series is characterized by high flexibility and offers numerous options for mounting, gearbox arrangement, output shafts, and motor connections. Depending on the customer’s torque requirements and machine layout, the R3 series can be equipped with 1, 2, or 4 hydraulic motor adapters; an electric motor adapter is also available to meet the growing trend toward electrification in the industrial and recycling sectors.
To ensure the mobility of the shredders, Bonfiglioli also manufactures custom-designed electric travel drives for chassis. The 700C series planetary gearboxes feature a rotating housing, high torque capacity, and an integrated disc brake, which guarantee optimal operation and a long service life for the product.
Efficient and compact solutions for wastewater treatment
Wastewater treatment requires reliable solutions that ensure continuous operation. Bonfiglioli’s energy-efficient solutions for filters, mixers, and aerators rely on precise speed control and a long service life. The solution presented for aerators includes an HDP series parallel-shaft helical gear unit, which is used in the rotating system to move liquids. Thanks to its robustness and high permissible overhang load, it can easily handle radial loads and harsh environmental conditions. Its strengths include the space-saving U-configuration and a torque range of up to 210 000 Nm.
For screw conveyors, the solution presented at IFAT combines an F-series shaft-mounted gearmotor – synonymous with high efficiency, reliability, robustness, and low maintenance requirements – with the intelligent AxiaAgile frequency converter and the BX-series three-phase electric motor. This configuration, optionally available with IP 56 protection, tropicalized, and equipped with heating elements for condensation protection, is specifically designed for demanding environmental conditions.
Bonfiglioli’s participation in IFAT 2026 reaffirmed the company’s ongoing commitment to a more sustainable future. This vision guides every aspect of innovation, from product development to operational processes, all of which are designed according to the principles of the circular economy. In line with the event’s objectives, the company focuses on providing technologies that transform waste into valuable resources. Additionally, Bonfiglioli leverages the Internet of Things (IoT) to increase efficiency and works continuously to minimize its environmental impact.
