SPALECK screening technology as the technological anchor
In Linköping/Sweden, municipal utility company Tekniska verken has commissioned one of the most advanced sorting plants for mixed municipal and household waste (MSW) in Europe. The goal: more material recovery, less thermal recycling. Within just eleven months of construction, Dutch plant manufacturer BANZO implemented a fully automated plant concept, relying on screening technology from SPALECK.
“This plant is a big step for us. Our goal is clear: to return as many materials as possible to the material cycle – and thus minimize the proportion of thermal recycling,” says Kristian Elisson, Plant Manager and Project Manager at Tekniska verken.
Fully automated processes for maximum recovery
The plant processes up to 40 t/h and achieves around 200 000 t/a at full capacity. The entire sorting process is fully automated – the material runs through the plant with minimal operating personnel. Five main fractions are sorted: plastics, ferrous metals, non-ferrous metals, paper/cardboard, and organic materials. The recovery rates achieved are very high: 92.8 % for mixed plastics, 93.1 % for paper, 94.1 % for iron and 88.0 % for non-ferrous metals.
Technology that sets standards
The plant technology includes three SPALECK Recycling Waste Screens, a SPALECK Flip-Flow Screen, a pre-shredder, three magnetic separators, three eddy current separators, 14 NIR sorting devices, and an X-ray sorter. A particular challenge was the construction of a 250-m-long conveyor bridge that transfers the non-recyclable residual waste directly to two neighboring waste-to-energy plants. “This line is our new benchmark,” reports Melvin Kroon, Commercial Director at BANZO. “It sets a new standard for MSW recycling in Europe, with excellent recovery rates and powerful technology.”
SPALECK screening technology: An important basis for sorting quality
The four SPALECK screening machines perform precise classification of the materials according to size. The first machine is located upstream of the shredder and ensures coarse screening. Only oversized material enters the shredding process, which reduces energy consumption, minimizes wear, and protects the shredder technology.
The two other recycling waste screens handle the fractionation for sorting. The three-dimensional screening machines optimize the grain size distribution for the downstream sorting equipment. Long pieces are reliably screened out by the SPALECK 3D screening technology. This minimizes mechanical malfunctions and false detections. In addition, the splitter of the sorting machines can be set more precisely.
The Flip-Flow Screening Machine used reduces the load on the downstream technology by screening out the partially moist fine fraction. This minimizes the cleaning effort and significantly improves the sorting quality of the downstream eddy current and NIR sorting units.
“Our screening machines classify and distribute the material flow very precisely so that the sorting devices can detect and recover the material optimally,” explains Markus Döbbelt, technical sales at SPALECK. “This is how ‘best screening’ really becomes ‘best sorting’.”
Efficiency through coordinated processes
The success of the project is also based on an integrated project approach. BANZO took on overall coordination with eleven companies involved. The basis for this was a central control concept that brought together mechanical, electrical, and digital interfaces. “This plant is not a copy-and-paste solution,” emphasizes Marcel Kroon, CEO of BANZO. “It is the result of intensive dialogue with the customer – and with partners such as SPALECK, with whom we have been successfully implementing demanding MSW projects for years.”
Interest from the international circular
economy
The plant is already a successful project – with visitor groups coming from far beyond Europe. “With this investment, we are strengthening our role as a pioneer in climate-friendly waste management in Scandinavia and beyond. We are in close contact with other companies in the circular economy to share our concept and the idea behind it – for the environment and for people,” says Kristian Elisson. “Linköping is already the new capital of European MSW recycling,” adds Melvin Kroon.
IFAT 2026: Project partners provide information in person
Anyone interested in learning more about the project will have the opportunity to do so at the upcoming IFAT 2026 trade show, where BANZO and SPALECK will jointly present the technical background and invite visitors to engage in professional discussions. Learn more via: https://youtu.be/KCWvFeau4wQ
