23 October 2024
Heidelberg Materials, one of the world's largest integrated manufacturers of building materials and solutions, has recently commissioned the first industrial concrete recycling plant in Poland, near Katowice, to recycle 100% of demolition concrete. It is equipped with Fives' breakthrough FCB Rhodax® technology, which releases all the components of demolition concrete in the highest quality.
This technology was awarded the French Marc Regnier Recycling-innovation prize, which recognizes innovations in the recycling and mineral recovery sector, and promotes industrial projects that have an impact on the circular economy and the reduction of C02 emissions, projects that contribute to sustainable development and are part of a "green growth" approach.
- An advanced bed compression grinding technology to turn demolition concrete into new high-quality products
Heidelberg Materials was looking for the best suited technology to develop and implement an innovative platform turning 100% concrete recycling into high-quality aggregates, sand and cement paste, which could later be reused as sustainable building materials. The FCB Rhodax® choice results from a successful cooperation between the two groups' R&D which demonstrated its utmost performances when processing concrete.
"After several pilot plant testing with the FCB Rhodax®, we see this as the best suited system to recover recycled cement paste from deconstruction concrete and get high-quality recycled aggregates and recycled sand." Wolfgang DIENEMANN, Director Global Research & Development, Heidelberg Materials
The singularity of the FCB Rhodax® consists in the perfect control of the force applied to the material bed. It results in an excellent liberation of the different concrete components of preserved -or even- improved quality. The resulting recycled aggregates and sand comply with the European Standard for recycled and even virgin materials, especially in terms of cubicity and low water absorption.
- An innovative driver for sustainable future of building materials
This unit is a major step for Heidelberg Materials and a great illustration of its strong commitment to offering alternative and low-carbon construction materials to its clients for a "sustainable future."
The FCB Rhodax® application in deconstruction concrete opens a new perspective for circular economy. 100% of the recycled fractions can be efficiently used again in new construction products. The high-quality recycled aggregates and sand are used in new concrete, thus preserving natural resources, reducing the energy consumption and CO2 emissions related to the extraction of materials from quarries. Furthermore, the cement paste extracted from the fine fraction can either be used as an additive in cement recipes, or introduced in the raw mix of cement kiln to produce low-carbon clinker.
"We are proud of this first partnership with Heidelberg Materials. This reflects our commitment to support cement and building materials producers in their roadmap to reduce CO2 emissions by offering them efficient and reliable solutions." Yan HUERRE, Sales Director, Fives FCB