S. Norton Group hosted a tour of its latest £20m investment in state-of-the-art shredder technology for 17 senior leaders in the European metals recycling industry to showcase its success in boosting operational and energy-saving efficiencies.
The Manchester-based flagship facility for the February visit by CEOs from some of Europe and North America’s largest metal recycling companies was chosen by manufacturer Lindemann to highlight the installation’s innovative approach to processing waste metals.
The 3000hp Lindemann shredder is one of the most efficient in the world. Its sophisticated variable speed drive system, combined with a pre-shredder and shredder drive assistant, gives best-in-class energy efficiencies. Early tests indicate that it requires up to 20% less energy than a 3000hp shredder with a standard drive chain and compared with the previous installation at Manchester, the new shredder delivers around 50% greater throughput.
S. Norton Group made the major upgrade to increase their capacity to shred waste metals, mostly light iron and end-of-life vehicles (ELV), and produce higher quality ferrous and non-ferrous scrap metals. As the only shredder in the Greater Manchester area, the new facility serves the whole region for processing and recycling waste metals.
S. Norton Managing Director, Tony Hayer said: “We were delighted to host this valuable opportunity for senior leaders in the industry to see our technologically advanced shredder and understand how it is able to produce high quality shredded material, liberating more metal than older, less efficient models.
“The shredder was custom-built to replace an ageing asset and is an integral part of our plans for growth and ongoing investment in operational quality and capacity at all our six UK sites, including Liverpool. We acquired a new site in Glasgow in December 2023 and another site in Birmingham is currently under development.”
The installation was managed by Group Capital Projects Manager, Dave Hobson who praised the extensive design, building and commissioning collaboration between S. Norton and Lindemann engineers.
He said: “Utilising the very latest and innovative technology options, this world class shredder installation sets the business up for the future. It wouldn’t have been possible without the hard work and dedication of everyone involved.”
Carl Gustaf Gӧransson, Lindemann CEO said: “The event held in Manchester served as a valuable forum for collaboration and innovation between us and our customers. It was a highlight to be able to showcase the first-rate installation of our best-in-class shredder machinery. Feedback from attendees was excellent and they valued the opportunity to see and discuss S. Norton’s shredder operation first-hand.”