Global shredding pioneer UNTHA UK has launched the new ‘XR’ shredder series for alternative fuel production and bulky waste shredding. With a revolutionary modular design, this is the first machine to be designed and manufactured in UNTHA’s innovation centre in Kuchl, Austria.

Specifically engineered to shred untreated MSW, C&I and general bulky waste, this latest feat of engineering promises to reduce energy consumption by up to 50% – potentially saving clients more than £500,000 in electricity costs alone, over the lifetime of the machine. The XR is powered by new ‘UNTHA Eco Drive’ technology, which uses water-cooled synchronous motors, rather than a conventional electro-hydraulic operation. The machine therefore works tirelessly and more efficiently, without overheating, and load-dependent speed controls adjust the RPM and torque to maximise throughputs. Operators can process up to 70 tonnes of waste per hour, whilst minimising the parasitic load of their plant.   Renowned for their shredders’ configurability, the UNTHA team has worked hard to offer even more flexibility with this new machine.  Depending on the Waste to Energy scenario, the XR can be supplied with a ripping mechanism for tearing untreated waste, or a more defined cutting concept for precision shreds. Operators can predetermine their particle size with the help of interchangeable screens and screen bars, to produce a homogenous fraction as small as 50mm or as large as 400mm. UNTHA UK’s sales director and Waste to Energy consultant Marcus Brew explains: “We are incredibly proud of the fact that the new XR provides the most cost-effective way to achieve a 50mm output, at high throughputs, in a single pass. But it is incredibly flexible too – clients can configure and reconfigure the technology according to their evolving customer specifications, which will protect their investment in this shredder for years to come. “We’re trying to break the mould, and achieve benefits that customers perhaps didn’t think possible. The XR has taken years to develop in our innovation centre in Kuchl, Austria, but the result is something we think will revolutionise the way people produce RDF or pre-shred waste for SRF.” Additional benefits of the XR include:

• Quiet operation, reportedly making it the only shredder to comply with the Industrial Emissions Directive’s stringent noise minimisation criteria. Results of less than 75dB(A) have been achieved to date
• Ease of maintenance – no couplings, belts, pulleys, hydraulic pumps or stub shafts are used
• Low charging height – waste can now be fed into the machine with just one, wheeled loader, whereas two pieces of kit and two operators were previously needed.

UNTHA UK’s managing director Chris Oldfield concludes: “Alternative fuel production is becoming increasingly important. However, for RDF and SRF manufacturers to truly commit to and improve the country’s sustainability agenda, they should also be considering the energy efficiency of their WtE technologies. The XR enables them to reduce their electricity consumption whilst protecting the safety and efficiency of their staff, and ultimately, improving their profitability. “The RWM exhibition in September will provide the first opportunity to see the technology in this country. However, having been extensively trialled, tested and commissioned on the continent, the XR is already in full operation should interested customers wish to visit our Austrian WtE plants to find out more.” Please visit the dedicated XR web page, for more information about this new waste shredder, or download our new RDF shredder brochure. Alternatively, please call 0845 450 5388 to speak to a member of the UNTHA UK team.  To download the new XR waste shredder app please visit Google play or the iTunes store.