Case Studies

UNTHA LR1400 triples waste wood throughput for Invica’s biocarbon plant

When Invica’s biocarbon plant began facing challenges with variable feedstock, operational efficiency quickly came under strain, so Invica turned once again to our waste management experts for support.

Invica Industries (Invica) is a leading provider of solid fuels for domestic, commercial, and industrial markets. The business is driven by a strong focus on sustainability and a commitment to delivering measurable emissions reductions, while enabling customers to actively lower the carbon footprint of their own products and processes. Backed by decades of experience and a passion for innovation, Invica has invested heavily in pioneering technologies that create greener alternatives for the future.

Its biocarbon plant, designed to transform waste wood into a high-quality, lower-emission fuel source, is a prime example of this forward-thinking ethos – championing efficiency, resilience, and resource recovery to set new standards across energy, water, manufacturing, and infrastructure.

Our biocarbon plant was struggling to cope, and without a reliable shredder, it simply wasn’t economical. The LR1400 turned that around. By fixing the sizing issue, we’ve almost tripled our throughput and completely changed the outlook of the project.

Bloomfield Resources is doubling down on its zero-to-landfill commitment, thanks to our energy-efficient, high-throughput XR3000C mobil-e shredder.

Keen to double down on its zero-to-landfill commitment, Bloomfield Resources sought a trusted shredding partner to optimise its waste management strategy. Cue the XR3000C mobil-e, offering an energy-efficient, high-throughput, and performance-driven solution trusted by leading brands across the globe.

Bloomfield Resources isn’t your average waste management and recycling specialist. From its base in Tipton, West Midlands, the company boasts a growing suite of services – spanning skip hire, waste tipping, and bespoke recycling and waste management – tackling everything from construction, demolition, commercial, industrial, and municipal waste to metal, plastics, wood, and bulky materials such as mattresses and tyres.

Its mission is to make waste disposal simple, efficient, and environmentally responsible for homes and businesses alike. With a continued zero-to-landfill commitment, all recyclables are carefully segregated for reprocessing, while residual materials are channelled into greener energy recovery pathways.

With such a significant long-term investment, it’s important to look beyond the specs – do your research, trial equipment on site, and make sure your supplier is as credible as the machine itself. We hold our business partners to a high standard, and from pre-sale discussions and shredder trials through to installation, training, and aftersales and servicing, UNTHA has proven to be worth its salt – and then some.

Trio of UNTHA shredders drives precious metal recovery 

Driven by a keen commitment to sustainability and changing economic conditions, The Royal Mint is pioneering an industry-first facility dedicated to recovering precious metals from e-waste.

As the  official maker of UK coins, The Royal Mint boasts a 1,100-year heritage in coin manufacturing and engineering. It’s also believed to be one of our nation’s oldest businesses. Owned by His Majesty’s Treasury, the company produces coins, medals, and precious metal products, alongside offering investment opportunities in gold and silver. 

As one of the world’s fastest-growing waste streams, expected to reach 82 million tonnes by 2030, e-waste poses a significant challenge. But The Royal Mint’s multi-million-pound, 35-acre site in South Wales is at the cutting edge of maximising the untapped resource value of WEEE, with a groundbreaking processing line that extracts gold and other precious metals from printed circuit boards found in discarded electronics.. The recovered gold is transformed into jewellery for The Royal Mint’s luxury jewellery collection, 886 by The Royal Mint. They are developing a closed-loop approach that reduces its carbon footprint and minimises reliance on mined materials.

What began as a single enquiry for an RS30 shredder quickly evolved into a game changing collaboration with a number of engineering specialists. Now, three UNTHA machines lie at the heart of one of the most advanced e-waste processing facilities in the world, and The Royal Mint’s sustainability vision is truly changing the face of what’s possible with the UK’s e-waste industry.

Boardtek transforms wood waste into energy with shredder investment

MDF component manufacturer Boardtek transformed its waste management operations with the installation of an UNTHA LR1400 wood shredder – significantly reducing downtime and generating cost savings in the process.

Founded in 2011, Pontefract-based Boardtek is a manufacturer of MDF-based products for the furniture and DIY markets. Operating from its modern facility – which it shares with its parent company EDB – the firm produces over 16,000 m3 of high-quality MDF items each month.

The company struggled to maintain consistent operations with its previous shredder from an UNTHA competitor, which presented frequent breakdowns, jamming issues, and rapid wear of nylon guides. These persistent problems led to costly downtime, unreliable throughput, and increased maintenance expenses. Seeking a solution that would ensure reliable performance and reduce operational disruptions, Boardtek partnered with IMA Schelling – UNTHA Austria’s sales partner – to invest in an UNTHA LR1400 shredder.

Boardtek’s waste management overhaul has not only reduced costs but also improved energy efficiency. By using the shredded material in their on-site biomass boiler – which provides heat to the factory, paint line, and central heating system – the company has lowered its reliance on external waste disposal, significantly cutting energy costs and improving the sustainability of its operations.

The LR1400 handles approximately six tonnes of input materials per day, including 2.5mm to 25mm HDF, MDF, chipboard, and pallets – which are all by products of Boardtek’s production process. Achieving a throughput of around 750kg per hour – with much higher handling capabilities if required – the machine reduces materials down to a homogenous 20mm particle size.

Having been repeatedly let down by our previous machinery, the UNTHA shredder has completely changed the game for us. We’ve reduced our maintenance costs by £12,000 per year and achieved £30,000 in savings by not sending waste to landfill. The payback period on the entire project was just 18 months, so the decision was a no-brainer.

Barrier Fire Protection optimises tin processing with UNTHA shredder

Barrier Fire Protection, a leader in passive fire protection, has advanced its waste management strategy by investing in an RS30 shredder from UNTHA UK. This upgrade has quadrupled their storage efficiency and maximised IBC capacity, ensuring safer, more cost-effective tin processing for their epoxy coating operations.

After being established in the 1980s, Barrier Fire Protection rapidly built a reputation for delivering cutting-edge fire protection solutions across various industries. Specialising in epoxy intumescent coatings and other fire protection technologies, and adhering to global standards, the organisation supports clients throughout the lifecycle of their facilities with high-quality, reliable solutions. 

Based in Wallsend, Tyne & Wear and Haverton Hill, Teesside, Barrier Fire Protection has long relied on innovative solutions for processing tins used in their fire protection coatings. The firm’s previous method involved a hydraulic arm to empty and compress these tins into Intermediate Bulk Containers (IBCs) before they were sent offsite for specialist treatment. However, this approach did not fully optimise IBC capacity, leading to inefficiencies.

After exploring various UNTHA shredding solutions, Barrier Fire Protection trialled the RS30 shredder – a robust and reliable machine known for its high performance in handling hazardous waste. The RS30 was readily available from stock for added convenience and was supplied with a custom-raised frame, allowing an IBC to be positioned directly underneath the shredder. Equipped with a 40mm screen, the machine has significantly improved throughput, handling up to 1.1 tonnes per hour compared to the previous 600kg.

By shredding the tins, Barrier Fire Protection have realised a 4:1 reduction in material volume requiring disposal  into each IBC, leading to a more efficient use of storage capacity. Furthermore, this volume reduction has resulted in significant cost savings due to fewer required collections.

UNTHA worked closely with us to understand the complexities of our shredding needs, particularly the challenges posed by the residual liquids and solidified materials in the tins. The team’s recommendation of a detailed cleaning regime has been crucial in maintaining the shredder's performance, and we appreciate their commitment to finding a solution that addresses our specific issues.

Enveco shredder investment safeguards confidential council waste

Enveco NW Environmental Services, Blackpool’s trusted waste management contractor, has enhanced its secure waste destruction process with an RS30 shredder from UNTHA UK. This upgrade ensures the secure and efficient handling of Blackpool Council’s confidential waste, aligning with Enveco’s commitment to sustainable, high-performance solutions for the community.

Enveco, established in 2019, offers comprehensive waste management services in Blackpool, handling everything from residential collections to commercial waste support. Enveco’s dedication to environmental stewardship is reflected in their community-focused approach, encouraging positive local environmental behaviors and supporting climate initiatives.

When a fire rendered Enveco’s previous shredding unit inoperable, they sought a replacement that could enhance security, throughput, and operational efficiency. A demonstration at UNTHA UK’s Boroughbridge headquarters highlighted the RS30 shredder’s robust security and precision. Certified up to DIN-66399 security level 3, the RS30 offers precise particle control with interchangeable screens and achieves a homogenous 15mm output, ideal for recycling.

The RS30’s throughput of 200–250 kg per hour also surpasses Enveco’s previous solution, enabling the potential expansion of services to additional clients requiring secure waste disposal. UNTHA provided a tailored setup, adjusting the RS30’s hopper and gantry for Enveco’s needs and collaborating closely with partners to ensure a seamless installation.

The RS30 not only exceeds our expectations in terms of security and performance but also aligns with our commitment to sustainable waste management practices. This investment truly future-proofs our operations, ensuring we can effectively handle increased waste volumes.

Four shaft shredder expertly tackles confidential waste 

Information management company OASIS Group sought a shredder to tackle the vast amount of paper waste, too sensitive to go down typical disposal routes.  A robust RS40 has been installed at the firm’s Northampton site, shredding material down to 15-30mm — and delivering maximum security for confidential waste streams.

Four shaft shredder expertly tackles confidential waste 

OASIS Group, a leading information management organisation — with sites across Europe — partnered with UNTHA UK to boost its waste management practices. Following the installation of a four-shaft RS40 shredder, the firm transformed its approach to handling confidential waste, achieving significant improvements in efficiency, security, and environmental sustainability.

Specialising in the collection, digitisation, and destruction of clients’ data, OASIS Group serves as a trusted partner for confidential data management. It was the company’s commitment to security that necessitated a robust solution to handle its confidential waste streams effectively.

With the firm’s existing machine reaching the end of its lifespan and facing costly repairs, OASIS enlisted the help of third-party shredder dealer, SRS Sales and Services, to source a cost-effective solution. 

UNTHA’s RS40 four shaft shredder perfectly met the requirements with its integral screen that produces a homogenous and compliant shred size of less than 30mm, with potential to go as small as 15mm. Moreover, the high torque and low-speed operation guarantees maximum security while minimising noise, dust, and maintenance requirements.

The UNTHA shredder has been transformative for us as a business — improving internal processes to better serve our client base. Not only has it proved a cost-effective solution, but it has shown true versatility and reliability. We would recommend UNTHA’s shredding solutions to anyone. Collaborating with OASIS and UNTHA UK on this project was a natural fit for us. Our expertise allowed us to pinpoint UNTHA’s RS40 as the perfect machine for the job — delivering efficiency and security in confidential waste processing. We're excited for more collaborations with UNTHA UK in the future as we help companies unlock their shredding potential.

A four shaft RS40 is able to handle the tough input material, and produce the desired output fraction, allowing Environet to dry the material so it becomes non-viable – presenting a number of new, more environmentally conscious downstream options including composting, rather than landfill disposal.

The team quickly processed tonnes of material, but shortly after encountered an operational problem – an oil leak, likely caused by a maintenance oversight during the shredder’s former operational life. 

Keen to access the best possible engineering support, Contracts Manager Sam Moss contacted UNTHA UK for manufacturer-specific assistance. “I requested a shredder inspection so that UNTHA could confirm exactly what we needed to do to repair the RS40. The location of the machine meant it was difficult to carry out the work in-situ, so two engineers visited our site to move, strip down, and clean the machine on our behalf. 

Environet is now back up and running, and has direct contact with UNTHA UK – despite not originally buying the shredder from the company’s North Yorkshire HQ – if future machine optimisation, parts, or aftersales support, is needed. 

The conservation experts provide a range of invasive plant removal, management and treatment methods for commercial and residential sites across the UK, with customer names including Aldi, Persimmon, and Balfour Beatty.

Following a rigorous investigation, they identified the source of the leak and resolved the issue by replacing the necessary sealings, gearbox, and bearing parts. They explained every step of the process, providing future maintenance advice for our ongoing benefit – I couldn’t believe how thorough they were. They really put in a shift – from the outset I felt in very safe hands.