WORK STARTS ON GREENSTAR ATLAS, LONDON’S LARGEST MRF

100,000 tonnes of municipal recyclables annually already secured

4th February 2010 – Equipment installation has begun at Greenstar Atlas, London’s newest and largest materials recycling facility (MRF), which will bring critically-needed capacity for processing domestic and commercial dry recyclables to the capital.

The first of over 70 shipping containers from Californian MRF specialist CP Manufacturing arrived at the 175,000 ft2 building at Edmonton before Christmas. A further 30 consignments of push walls were delivered in early January, together with six containers of steelwork.

Licensed to process up to 250,000 tonnes of recyclables annually, as well as handling a further 250,000 tonnes through its waste transfer station each year, Atlas is designed for high volume, high speed processing to consistently high quality output standards.

Greenstar (www.greenstar.co.uk) has already secured local authority contracts for processing over 100,000 tonnes of domestic recyclables annually, and plans to win commercial recyclable collection and processing contracts.

Greenstar UK CEO Ian Wakelin said the construction programme should mean Atlas starts full operation in the spring. “The high speed processing capacity and output quality for Atlas will be strategically important for Greenstar and for local authorities in the capital and the south east.”

Three Phase Programme

Over 1,600 tonnes of steelwork and processing equipment will be assembled by the CP installation team and contractor Ebbsfleet Engineering to make Greenstar Atlas one of the largest and most modern MRFs in Europe.

The three phase project comprises now-completed civil engineering work to ready the building for installation, plant installation during January and February, and then ‘dry’ commissioning and test processing in March prior to full operation in April.

In phase one, contractor Volkes Fitzpatrick completed pits for conveyor and baler machinery, created a larger vehicle yard, built office accommodation, constructed a weighbridge, installed a sprinkler system and connected the site’s 4MW power supply and other utilities. The £500,000 sprinkler system can deliver 6,500 litres a minute which would empty an Olympic swimming pool in seven minutes.

Greenstar UK group engineering manager Neil Arlett spent time with the CP design team in San Diego, working with them to customise the base Atlas design. “We added design modifications for a more linear configuration to improve access for maintenance. Any one part of Atlas can be shut down for maintenance or repair without affecting the continuing operation of other parts of the plant,” said Arlett.

He explained that CP, one of the largest MRF manufacturers in the USA, was chosen for the US$14 million order because of its advanced technology, track record, and willingness to design equipment innovations to meet Greenstar’s quality processing requirements.

Technical Improvements

Improving screen drives for the paper processing line produced a world-first in the use of a toothed rubber belt, rather than sprocket and chain, while the glass processing unit will be fully integrated into the overall plant. Additional optical sorting technology can be installed to cater for a broader range of recyclables such as foil and plastic film, while a higher number of separators will improve both recovery and quality.

Plant supervisors will carry wireless touch screen controllers that will let them directly control every part of the plant as they walk around the site.

Atlas is designed to handle over 30 vehicles an hour tipping into a 45,000 ft2 hall, equivalent to half a football pitch and taking up almost a third of the entire building area.

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About Greenstar:

Greenstar is one of the UK’s leading recycling-led waste management companies, offering national coverage. With forecast turnover of almost £150m in 2009, it currently processes over 530,000 tonnes of recyclable materials annually, operates from nearly 40 facilities throughout the UK, has nearly 2,100 employees, and runs a fleet of over 700 trucks. Its numerous service capabilities meet needs ranging from complete waste management solutions through to accredited dry recycling, reprocessing and exporting facilities. Greenstar also offers an approved compliance scheme. Whatever a company's waste requirements, Greenstar aims to maximise operational efficiency and optimise recycling while ensuring its clients stay fully compliant. Greenstar is owned by NTR plc. www.greenstar.coi.uk

About NTR plc

NTR plc, the international renewable energy group, builds and runs green energy and resource-sustaining businesses. Founded in 1978, NTR has evolved from being a developer and operator of infrastructure in Ireland to an international developer and operator of renewable energy (wind, solar and ethanol) and sustainable waste management businesses in the USA, UK, and Ireland. The company employs over 4,100 people. www.ntrplc.com

For further media information on Greenstar, contact:

Blair Drummond, Greenstar PR consultant

Tel: 07798 686 217 Email: blair.drummond@btopenworld.com