A showcase project for Asia
REMEX’s recycling facility in Singapore officially began its operations last December when guests were invited to attend an official opening ceremony and join in on a tour around the plant. This state-of-the-art facility is not only setting an example of how this nation, with its strong and highly developed economy, is promoting sustainability. It is also being seen as a showcase project the whole of Asia. Guest of honour at the event was Masagos Zulkifli, Singapore’s Minister for the Environment and Water Resources.
On its way to becoming a zero waste nation
Talking to the assembled group of guests and journalists, the minister explained just how important the issue of waste reduction was for both his government and Singapore. This new facility was, he said, a significant milestone in the country’s efforts to become a zero waste nation. Looking at the growing importance of recycling waste to recover valuable resources, he added: “REMEX is an established player in Europe for metal recovery from IBA. I am confident that their experience in such operations will help ensure the success of this facility in the years ahead.”
“The birth of this first-of-its-kind facility in Singapore is a fine example of how we harness technology to implement innovative solutions in waste management.”
Masagos Zulkifli, Minister for the Environment and Water Resources
Recovering ferrous & non-ferrous metals
The new recycling facility being run by REMONDIS’ subsidiary was built to process the incinerator bottom ash (IBA) from Singapore’s four household waste incineration plants and to recover any metals contained in the ash. A good 90 percent of the ferrous metals and over three quarters of the valuable non-ferrous metals, such as aluminium and copper, will be able to be recovered and recycled – even the really small pieces like paper clips and bottle caps.
REMEX’s new recycling plant in Singapore can recover up to 90% of all metals from the IBA
Recycled building materials as found in Europe
However, the recovery of the metal is not the only important feature of this facility for Singapore, which is so densely populated and has so few raw materials of its own. According to the plans of the country’s National Environment Agency (NEA), the largest material stream from this plant – the processed IBA – should also be put to good use. The NEA is aiming to recycle it so it can be used as a building material, as is already being done in Europe. If processed correctly, the IBA can be turned into building supplies or recycled aggregate for road and earthworks projects. Something that not only helps conserve our planet’s reserves of primary materials, such as sand and gravel, but also provides an alternative to sending it to landfill. During the opening ceremony, Environment Minister Masagos Zulkifli and Norbert Rethmann presented a building block made from processed IBA to show those attending the event just how much potential there is for recycling this material.
The official opening of REMEX’s recycling facility in Singapore (from left to right): Environment Minister Masagos Zulkifli, Norbert Rethmann, honorary chairman of the supervisory board of the RETHMANN Group, and Venkat Patnaik, managing director of REMEX Minerals Singapore Pte. Ltd.
Image credits:
Picture 1: shutterstock, 201336119, singapore asian city skyline with the marina bay infinity swimming pool, Photographer: travelfoto
