Quarrying & Mining
PEMO PUMPS since 1947 – popular at Hillhead 2024!
PEMO PUMPS was a hit at the biennial, iconic Hillhead 2024, held from 25-27 June at Hillhead Quarry, near Buxton in Derbyshire. Known as the ‘giant’ among expos, Hillhead attracts the world’s biggest names from across quarrying, construction and recycling.
PEMO PUMPS is a brand of Perissinotto SpA and was established in 1947 by Antonio Perissinotto. The first pumps were primarily used in marble and granite cutting processes across the construction sector before diversifying into the steel industry, then chemical and wastewater treatment. Over the last twelve months, the company has expanded its warehouse by 2,000m2 to aid further pump production for growing global demand.
Hillhead was the perfect place to showcase the leading range of mining slurry pumps from PEMO PUMPS, in collaboration with machinery manufacturers: CDE Group. PEMO Slurry Pumps are precision designed for mining and aggregate excavation and come with a diverse range of models and configurations. These include horizontal, vertical and submersible designs and are ideal for abrasive and/or acid corrosive fluid applications.
Available in rubber-lined, Hardalloy PEMO (750800HB), stainless steel and Hastelloy, many models can operate pressures up to 20bar (290psi) and applications include slurry transfer in ponds, hydrocyclone feed and yellowcake slurry transfer.
Visitors flocked to the PEMO PUMPS stand, to learn more about slurry and sludge transfer applications. The horizontal models of the AO/AB and AO/AB/DC series are flagship PEMO models – primarily utilised for conveying concentrated slurries from thickeners to ponds or to filter press systems, in the case of high-pressure losses due to long pumping distances. Models in this series can operate up to 1,500m3/h (6,613gpm, with a maximum head on some models reaching 150m/H20 (492ft).
PEMO PUMPS are the ‘industry’s pumps of choice’ across mining, aggregate washing, quarry, and mineral extraction processes. The pumps are intricately designed and manufactured to firstly, robustly withstand abrasive slurries and secondly, to operate with. Common deployment includes: feeding the classifier, transporting slurry to the flotation system, tailing thickener and filtration/dewatering system. Renowned across
many sectors, PEMO PUMOS are admired for abrasionresistant characteristics, corrosion-resistance against aggressive fluids, super non-clogging casing and impeller design, leakage and contamination-proof to industrial-strength single, double or cartridge mechanical seals, flowrate up to 2,000m3/h and TDH up to 160m.c.l.
PEMO PUMPS offer over 3,000 pump models with fully customised hydraulics and materials to a loyal customer base across more than 100 countries. The purpose-built warehouse has over 10,000 components, which streamlines customer requests quickly and without delay.
For the UK market, PEMO pumps have partnered with Crest Pumps as their distributor. Crest Pumps have specialised in process pumps since 1973 and has a team of sales engineers located across the UK dedicated in providing you with the best pump solutions tailored to your specific needs.
Interested? Click on the PEMO PUMPS website below: www.pemopumps.com
Editor’s Comments
As we come to the end of 2024, we are honoured to have showcased some of the most innovative sustainable products and services that have entered the key sectors of UK industry over the past 12 months.
In our final issue, we highlight two Company of the Year award winners.
offerings for Feed and Food customers, setting new benchmarks in the industry. Learn more about their achievements on page 8.
A&S International, a distinguished technical sales consultancy, represents an impressive portfolio of machinery lubrication and bioremediation brands. Their exceptional expertise and forward-thinking approach have truly stood out this year, earning them the title of our MRO Company of the Year. Page 4.
Our second award recipient is Cefetra, honoured as our Farming & Agriculture Company of the Year for their exceptional innovation and leadership in advancing sustainable agriculture. The company has recently expanded its
Other features include our worthy Company of the Month winners. You can find Indeco Ind SpA, our Demolition Machinery Manufacturer of the Month on page 5, Blended Products our Speciality Gases & Chemicals Company of the Month on page 10, and BlakerTech our Specialist Recycling Equipment Company of the Month on page 15.
2024 show reviews include: Solar & Storage Live, Recycling Expo, and AQE.
We look forward to 2025 and what the new year brings to the industry. Have a great Christmas and Happy New Year.
Don’t forget to send us your latest Business, Industry and Sustainable news and updates and email us at: info@sustainabilitytoday.co.uk
A tool for evey job V On the Cover
Contacts
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SUSTAINABILITY TOD AY
Manufacturer of the Month V Founded in 1976, Indeco brings 48 years of expertise to the production of spare parts and custom hydraulic hammers for the earthmoving and mineral industries.
Company
of the Year VIII-IX
Cefetra Ltd, part of the Cefetra Group, is a leading global supplier of agricultural ingredients for animal nutrition, food, and energy sectors, with roots dating back to 1899.
Company
of the Month X-XI Blended Products has been delivering tailored solutions to a wide range of sectors, including refrigeration, food and beverage, water treatment, and heating, for over 21 years.
Recycling Expo Review XII-XIII
Company
Recycling Expo 2024, held at ExCeL London from 15-16 October, reaffirmed its status as the premier event for advancing the circular economy.
of the Month XV
BlakerTech leads in designing and manufacturing specialist metal recycling equipment, continuing a legacy of innovation and engineering excellence.
Heating, Ventilation & Air Conditioning XX-XXIII
Learn about tepeo’s smart heat batteries and Naked Energy’s cutting edge solutions for the decarbonisation of heat.
A&S International – see them on pages IV & VII
Lubrication reliability: Committed to sustainability
In this issue of Sustainability Today, we are delighted to welcome back A&S International
Ltd as our MRO Company of the Year
A&S International is a renowned technical sales consultancy representing a range of machinery lubrication & bioremediation brands through a growing global team of qualified distributors.
With expertise in the lubrication sector totalling almost four decades, A&S functions as an industry-leading distributor for a range of solutions in the MRO sector. The family-run SME was established six years ago by brothers Angus & Shaun Macdonald.
Located in Theale, Berkshire, A&S markets and sells a wide portfolio of products via a global distributor team, in addition to UK resellers and directly to UK end-users.
A&S works closely with their distributors who have many years of shared machinery lubrication knowledge, qualifications and expertise. With a respected programme of ongoing support such as regular training, consulting & client visits, the distributor network delivers outstanding added value to their clients as well as helping them improve the sustainability of their businesses.
The brands represented include: Fluitec, Hosepatch, isoPOD Lubricant Storage, MAK CHEM International, MAK LUBES International, Oil Spill Eater II, SulNOx Eco Fuel Conditioners, Sylmasta Pipe Repair and Viper Wire Rope Lubricators.
As this year draws to a close, we caught up with co-founders Angus and Shaun to review the company’s progress over the last twelve months, “The two words that sum up 2024 for us are progress and momentum. Our distributor network has now expanded to over 40 countries worldwide including new distributors in Brazil, Canada, Croatia, Mexico and Thailand. We are hoping to expand further into additional territories in Asia and Africa during 2025. Our visibility has moved up a gear with direct sales and enquiries arriving via our newly upgraded website and by utilising the services of an experienced marketing firm to raise our profile across all sectors.
“We have seen our sales increase 50% year-on-year with significant growth of the Oil Spill Eater II and SulNOx Eco Diesel Conditioner solutions. Oil Spill Eater II is increasingly popular with larger multinational companies, who are in turn recommending it to their end-users,” outlined Angus.
“This runs in tandem with the growth of Viper Wire Rope Lubricator sales across the UK. This solution allows wire ropes ranging in diameter from 6mm up to 165mm to be cleaned and lubricated simultaneously at speeds of up to 2,000m per hour – reducing lubrication labour by 90% & increasing wire rope life by up to 300%,” added Shaun.
A&S is a specialist in Lubrication Reliability, with a dedicated focus on sustainable solutions: in particular SulNOx Eco Diesel Conditioner, Oil Spill
Eater II, ML253 Ecology EAL Wire Rope Grease and Fluitec. These four brands help clients to progress towards decarbonisation & Net Zero goals across a range of sectors including: construction, maritime/shipping, haulage, mining, cement & concrete, food & beverage, plastics, ports and power generation.
SulNOx Eco Diesel Conditioner is a transitional solution that is added to fuels including diesel, biodiesel, MDO, MGO, petrol as well as HVO. With a mix ratio of 1:2,000 and no CAPEX required for implementation, clients are experiencing fuel savings of 5-8% and significant emission reductions including PM2.5 and 10 by more than 80%. This non-toxic, biodegradable solution contains an emulsifier that scavenges water in fuel and is instrumental in driving sustainable change, while future fuels are being developed.
Oil Spill Eater II is the only bioremediation solution that features on the MMO approved list for watercourse and coastal spillages. It is also used for remediating hydrocarbon contaminated soils at brownfield sites and lastly, cleaning up fuel and lubricants spills at industrial sites and service
stations. It contains a biological enzyme that is simply mixed 1:50 with naturally occurring water to help detoxify, remove flammability and bioremediate hydrocarbon spills on land and sea: essentially using ‘nature to support nature’.
The ML253 Ecology EAL Wire Rope Grease is a biodegradable non-toxic wire rope lubricant that is VGP Compliant and designed for use in the maritime and port sectors and other environmentally sensitive areas.
Fluitec boast a range of sustainable ‘Fill4Life’ treatments that transform lubricating fluids into assets. Their filtration & Solvancer solutions safely extend the life and performance of lubricants and machinery through a measure-consult-treat process.
A&S is a proud member of NOF, BSiF, the UKLA and the UK & Ireland Spill Association. With a steadfast commitment to sustainability, A&S continues to take steps to minimise its carbon footprint, including its ongoing membership of zellar.com, Sustainable Ports Association, Green Award Foundation & Thames Green Scheme as well as supporting tree planting through Creating Tomorrow's Forests.
T 0118 930 4321
hello@aands-international.com
https://aands.international
Demolition Machinery Manufacturer of the Month
A tool for every job
In this issue of Sustainability Today, we are pleased to feature Indeco Ind SpA as our Demolition Machinery Manufacturer of the Month
Founded in 1976, Indeco brings 48 years of expertise to the production of spare parts and custom hydraulic hammers for the earthmoving and mineral industries. Headquartered in Bari, Italy, this Italian manufacturer is committed to responding swiftly to market demands, supported by a nationwide sales network and comprehensive after-sales service.
Indeco's success is driven by the expertise and innovation of its outstanding planning and development team who represent the company’s commitment to excellence, playing a huge part in Indeco's growth in international markets and overall goal to become a one-stop shop for the sale of breakers and all demolition equipment.
As an established leading brand in the global demolition industry, Indeco has a global presence with offices in the UK, North America, Australia, Mexico, and Brazil, as well as long-standing partnerships in Europe, Africa, and the Middle East.
Indeco is most famous for its creation and design of its innovative range of Hydraulic Hammers for customers in the construction, demolition, mining, and infrastructure sectors. With a presence that spans across both public and private sectors, Indeco has built a strong international footprint and history of collaborations with major players from these industries.
Mark Gee, Managing Director from Indeco (UK) Ltd, said, “Our hydraulic demolition hammers are designed with a focus on reliability, durability, and operational efficiency. Thanks to our extensive experience and continuous innovation, we offer products with advanced technologies, such as vibration and wear reduction systems, ensuring superior performance even in the most demanding conditions. Additionally, our widespread after-sales service network ensures timely and personalised support, a significant added value that competitors often cannot match with the same quality.”
Recently, Indeco has optimised its line of hydraulic hammers, to provide greater energy savings and environmental sustainability without compromise to power or efficiency. These models have already been showcased at major trade shows around the world, highlighting the reason as to why Indeco is making such big advancements in the construction industry.
“These models address the growing customer need for more efficient and ecofriendly operations. Moreover, we are developing innovative accessories that enhance the versatility of our products, making them ideal for specific applications. Our motto is to innovate a tool for every job, and this is why our complete range of solutions cater to every job that needs completing across the demolition, construction, and recycling industries.”
of Italian high-tech and construction quality applied to demolition, every machine is the byproduct of the extensive research that has gone into hydraulic systems, materials, heat treatment, and accessories, to make them the best on the market.
With its many different models that are divided into large, medium, and small sizes with various versions, Indeco has the widest range of hammers available anywhere in the world. Expressing the very best
Recently, Indeco has also invested in new manufacturing technologies to further improve the quality of its products, and to reduce the environmental impact of its production processes. Additionally, the company has expanded its distribution and service network in key regions to get even closer to its global customers.
“We are working on several innovation-focused projects, such as integrating remote monitoring systems into our products to facilitate predictive maintenance and minimise downtime. Furthermore, we also aim to strengthen our presence in emerging markets and develop strategic partnerships to expand our product portfolio.
“We are proud of our success, which is not only based on the quality of our products but also on the dedication and professionalism of our team. We continue to invest in people and technology to remain a reference point in the industry and meet the ever-growing expectations of our customers.”
To find more information about the company, its products, and the latest news, see below where you will also find specific content, such as technical sheets, demonstration videos, and updates about Indeco’s most recent activities.
T 01606 597560
info@indeco.it https://indeco.it/en
Solar & Storage Live UK 2024
Solar & Storage Live UK 2024 sets new attendance record, solidifying it as the nation’s top solar event
Solar & Storage Live UK 2024 finished on a high in September, having drawn over 15,000 attendees to Birmingham’s NEC and breaking records as the most-attended event in Solar & Storage Live history.
Over three days, professionals from across the solar and energy storage industries explored innovations, networked with peers, and connected with over 500 exhibitors showcasing the latest in solar technology and energy storage solutions.
With 250 speakers, all experts in their fields, the event delivered valuable insights into emerging market trends, policy developments, industry solutions, and talent training.
Six on-site theatres featured discussions on solar projects, training workshops, and demonstrations, making the event a comprehensive showcase for the industry.
Furthermore, with 435,949 social media impressions and over 54,130 connections made through the event app, Solar & Storage Live UK 2024 demonstrated its digital reach alongside inperson engagement.
All these factors worked together to underscore the event’s role as the premier hub for solar and energy storage.
Lawrie Wilson, European Sales Manager for Jinko ESS Europe, praised the event, saying, “Solar & Storage Live is a great place to meet old and new customers, network, create opportunities, and get your brand out to a lot of people very quickly.”
Salman Latif, UK National Sales Manager for Solis, highlighted the event’s significance, noting, “This flagship event offers a central hub for networking in the UK’s solar industry. We’ve been busy meeting a range of clients in an ideal setting.”
The event also celebrated top industry talent at its awards evening, recognising achievements with awards including and more: t Contractor of the Year – Emtec Energy
t Solar and/or Storage Product Innovation –Sungrow
t Lifetime Achievement Award – Nick Boyle, CEO, Lightsource BP
t Women in Energy Award – Liz Cammack (previously MacFarlane), Segen Ltd
Looking ahead, Solar & Storage Live UK aims to build on this year’s success, fostering continued growth and innovation within the renewable energy sector.
This is our pick of the best exhibitors from this year’s show, listed here in alphabetical order: Vattenfall. Further details can be found below.
Sign up for the 2025 edition is free, and can be found at the event’s website: www.terrapinn.com/ exhibition/solar-storage-live/index.stm
Cefetra: Leading the way in sustainable agriculture and innovation
In this issue of Sustainability Today, we are pleased to feature Cefetra as our Farming & Agriculture Company of the Year
Cefetra Ltd, part of the Cefetra Group, is a leading global supplier of agricultural ingredients for animal nutrition, food, and energy sectors, with roots dating back to 1899. Headquartered in Glasgow, Cefetra UK serves the UK and Ireland’s agricultural sectors, supplying the feed, food, drink, and fuel businesses with sustainable supply chains. A key focus of the company is grain origination (wheat, barley, maize, and more), while also offering inputs like cover crop seeds and low-carbon fertilisers to support farmers’ transition to a sustainable future.
In July 2024, we recognised Cefetra as our Climate-Positive Farming Solutions Company of the Month, celebrating a period of remarkable growth and success for the organisation. Recently, we reconnected with Andrew Mackay, Managing Director at Cefetra, to reflect on how 2024 has unfolded for the company.
“Over the last 12 months, we have been making excellent progress on several fronts. We have expanded our farm origination programme by increasing our contacts with farmers and by signing a long-term marketing agreement with CMG, a national farmers Co-op. We are also pleased to have finalised our agreement with the Bristol Port Company which will give us access to a major import terminal in Portbury. As a result, we are
able to offer a wide range of products to our growing customer base in the Southwest of England and Wales at competitive prices.”
As part of its focus on sustainability in agriculture, last year Cefetra launched Cefetra Ecosystem Services in partnership with Soil Capital. The programme promotes sustainable farming by supporting farmers in reducing CO2, enhancing biodiversity, and managing water. It rewards CO2 reductions, fosters regenerative practices for lower-carbon crops, and supplies verified products to cut customers' Scope 3 emissions, benefiting both ecosystems and economies.
uniqueness and number of longterm partnerships formed with farmers, boasting a number of benefits to sustainable farming practices.
The company’s approach to key partnerships has made it the success it is today. Building longterm and strong relationships with its suppliers, consumers, and service providers is key to maintaining its independent market position while growing trust and reliability with its customers.
“Currently, we are truly focused on how we can help farmers and consumers move further towards their sustainability goals. Our ambitions with Cefetra Ecosystem Services stem from our customer’s need to reduce their Scope 3 Emissions. Being uniquely placed in the supply chain allows us to be able to work in collaboration with both the farmer and consumer and support them equally as they make their commitment to sustainability,” added Andrew Mackay.
Cefetra has recently enhanced its services for Feed and Food customers by broadening its involvement in the supply chain for organic ingredients. In a remarkably short time, the company has secured a position among the top three suppliers of these products in the UK. Additionally, for its European clients, Cefetra has partnered with Anglo American Crop Nutrition to market and distribute Poly4, an innovative new fertiliser, across Europe.
Looking ahead, Cefetra is primed for further success, as it continues growing with its business partners, a strong and resilient product portfolio that resembles sustainability, product value, and social responsibility with a balanced concern for people, the planet, and profit.
In closing, we asked Andrew Mackay how he felt receiving the award, “We are honoured that you are recognising our achievements and efforts in sustainability within our industry. We realise we are on a journey, and we still have a lot of progress to make, but we feel confident that with the continued support from our customers and partners, we can achieve much more. Although the transition towards sustainability in agriculture is difficult, we are pleased to be playing our part through these initiatives and programmes to help deliver positive results.”
https://cefetra.co.uk
“It has organic status and benefits from a low carbon footprint. The mine at Woodsmith near Whitby is under construction and when it is completed, will be one of the largest mines in Europe with the capability of producing 13 million tonnes per annum!” stated Andrew Mackay.
Over the years, global demand for responsibly sourced soya has grown considerably. In 2008, Cefetra developed its own standard: the Certified Responsible Soya (CRS) along with partners in South America. This pioneering scheme is now widely recognised across the industry for its
Blended Products: Pioneering energy efficiency & sustainability
In this issue of Sustainability Today, we are delighted to recognise Blended Products as our Speciality Gases & Chemicals Company of the Month
This innovative North Lincolnshire-based company has been delivering tailored solutions to a wide range of sectors, including refrigeration, food and beverage, water treatment, and heating, for over 21 years.
Blended Products prides itself on its extensive product offering, which includes high-performance heat transfer fluids, bulk ISBT-grade CO2, CO2 cylinders, anhydrous ammonia, sulphur dioxide, and nitrogen — all available in both bulk and packaged formats (except nitrogen). In addition to these, the company is the only UK provider offering ammonia recovery in bulk tankers, a unique service that underscores its dedication to sustainability and efficiency.
Caroline Hunter, Head of Commercial, highlights the company’s continued growth, “We’ve experienced rapid expansion over the past 5 years, which has allowed us to increase our team and further develop our offering. This includes Blended’s ADCO2 initiative, which is a reliable source of high-quality, ISBT-grade CO2 essential for operations in food production, beverage carbonation, and agricultural growth.”
ADCO2: Delivering Sustainability and Reliability
Blended understand that high-quality CO2 is vital for operational success. ADCO2 provides ISBT-grade CO2 with a steadfast commitment to sustainability,
reliability, and operational efficiency. By sourcing biogenic CO2 through renewable processes, ADCO2 ensures alignment with net-zero goals while maintaining adherence to global regulatory standards.
ADCO2’s features and advantages include:
t Sourced sustainably and contributes to ethical operations.
t Consistent and reliable deliveries to minimise downtime and supply chain risks.
t Tailored solutions for any order size, from small batches to bulk, delivered with reduced environmental impact.
t UK-sourced for a reduced carbon footprint.
t In-house tank management for seamless operations.
t Bulk deliveries in multimodal tankers and ISO tanks up to 25 tonnes.
It’s fair to say that Blended’s ADCO2 initiative reflects its commitment to advancing sustainability while delivering customer-centric solutions that drive operational excellence.
Customer-Centric Solutions and Sustainability Leadership
Blended Products has long been recognised for its bespoke approach to customer service, offering tailored solutions that meet specific industrial needs. The company’s agile approach allows it to respond quickly to client requirements, a significant advantage over larger competitors.
Blended Products offers customised heat transfer fluids through its Blended Fluids range and provides full support for CO2 storage tanks and logistics optimisation.
The company’s ongoing ADCO2 initiative is set to deliver vegan-approved ISBT-grade CO2, sourced from anaerobic digestion, from June
2025. This aligns with its broader commitment to supporting carbon reduction and environmentally friendly practices.
Looking Ahead to 2025 and Beyond
As it celebrates 21 years of excellence, Blended Products is looking to the future with a strong focus on innovation and sustainability. Plans for 2025 include:
t Hosting the Annual Anaerobic Digestion Seminar, with the theme ‘Revenue Creation’.
t Expanding into new markets and fostering partnerships with industry leaders.
t Showcasing its solutions at key industry events, including the World Biogas Association Expo, Installer Show, and Foodex.
t Striving to enhance its Ecovadis sustainability rating, aiming to move from bronze to silver.
Blended Products is undoubtedly a company to watch as it continues to lead the way in energy efficiency and sustainability.
To learn more about Delta-T and Blended’s innovative solutions, visit:
T 01652 680555 enquiries@blendedproducts.com www.blendedproducts.com
Recycling Expo 2024: Driving innovation for a sustainable future
Recycling Expo 2024, held at ExCeL London from 15-16 October, reaffirmed its status as the premier event for advancing the circular economy. This pivotal gathering united thousands of industry professionals, innovators, and sustainability leaders from across the country, fostering investment in the future of recycling, remanufacturing, and environmental innovation.
The expo showcased over 100 exhibitors, presenting cutting-edge technologies and innovative solutions to address the mounting challenges in waste management, recycling, and resource recovery. Keynote presentations by industry leaders and expert-led seminars sparked engaging discussions on crucial topics, including challenges for the next government, waste management innovations, and circular economy regulations.
Event Highlights:
t Keynote Sessions – Industry leaders from Biffa, Veolia, Clearpoint Recycling, and West London Waste Authority shared innovative strategies and actionable
solutions to revolutionise waste management and advance sustainability.
t Product Demonstrations
– Visitors experienced hands-on demonstrations of cutting-edge technologies, from AI-driven sorting systems to innovative glass recycling methods.
t Innovator Spotlight
– A platform for emerging companies and start-ups to showcase pioneering solutions, including advanced recycling methods and next-generation materials, driving industry progress.
"The Recycling Expo 2024 was a resounding success, providing invaluable networking opportunities and connecting professionals across the waste and recycling sectors to share knowledge and forge partnerships," said Eddy Lawrance, Director of Recycling Expo. "Plans are already underway for Recycling Expo 2025, promising even greater opportunities for innovation,
collaboration and progress in our journey toward sustainability. Taking place on 7-8 October at ExCeL London, it's never too early to mark your calendars to ensure you don't miss this landmark event in the industry."
This is our pick of the best exhibitors from this year’s show, listed here in alphabetical order: John Hanlon & Co Ltd. Further details can be found on this page and the next.
For more information or to register your interest in next year's event, visit: https://recyclingexpo.co.uk/whats-onrecycling-expo
Top Exhibitor at The Recycling 2024 Expo
John Hanlon & Co Ltd is the UK’s leading specialist hire equipment and sales company.
Established in 1973, the family-run business, now in its third generation has been at the forefront of the heavy equipment rental market for over fifty years, boasting a current fleet of over 300-wheel loaders, material handlers, shredders and screeners.
The company headquarters are in Bedfordshire, with a new depot in Doncaster for a growing Northern customer base. The team has been busy demonstrating the new Komptech Lacero all over the country this Autumn.
The partnership with Komptech began back in 2016: a renowned manufacturer of recycling equipment such as drum screens, star screens, high-speed and lowspeed shredders, and ballistic separators. The Komptech machinery is precision-designed for green, wood and industrial waste and the Lacero is the latest addition to the leading portfolio.
up to 400m3/h, the Lacero delivers ultimate highspeed performance shredding at the quietest settings.
Komptech are on a mission to establish its leading portfolio of machinery throughout the UK industrial waste sector. The trailblazing product line includes the indomitable ‘Terminator’ and ‘Equalizor’: slowspeed and medium-speed shredders respectively. This is complemented by further heavy-weight separators: ‘The Ballistor’ Ballistic and ‘The Metalfex’ Eddy current. With options for both mobile and stationery, Komptech is the brand to watch.
The Lacero High-Speed Grinder was in action at five locations across the country, demonstrating its prowess in green waste, compost over size, wood waste and log shredding. Nicknamed the ‘Beast’onlookers were impressed by the down-swinging rotor with the 16 heavy duty teeth, 800hp+ CAT C18 engine that seamlessly shreds over 100 tons of wood and green waste per hour. With a throughput
John Hanlon & Co Ltd was one of our Top Exhibitors at The Recycling 2024 Expo held at the flagship ExCeL, from 15-16 October. The groundbreaking annual event is dedicated to driving green recycling and waste best practice, connecting thousands of leading exhibitors with key buyers and specifiers.
John Hanlon & Co showcased the leading Komptech machinery to the land clearance, waste wood and green waste sectors. Designed for flawless performance, the Komptech brand is synonymous with innovation and sustainability.
We spoke to Lee Hanlon, Area Sales Manager at John Hanlon & Co, to find out more, “We’re excited about the new Komptech Lacero: it delivers
THINKING ABOUT PLUG IN HYBRID ELECTRIC – SHREDDING – SCREENING –
SEPARATING
• Use the integrated generator or connect the machine directly to grid
• Highly efficient, up to 40% fuel saving
John Hanlon & Company Ltd.
Highlands, Gravenhurst Road, Campton SG17 5NZ Bedfordshire
[t] +44 (0)1462 813301
[e] info@johnhanlon.com
optimised, fast-moving shredding across many sectors. We’ve had a positive reception from the industry so far, with many impressed with its highspeed performance.
“We offer short and long-term rentals for a wide range of brands including Volvo, CAT, Liebherr and of course, Komptech. Our 300-strong rental fleet includes wheel loaders, material handlers, shredders and screeners.”
Watch the Komptech Lancero in action here: www.linkedin.com/company/johnhanlonandcoltd info@johnhanlon.com www.johnhanlon.com
The Multistar L3 Star screen at its best – with a 0-8mm fine and a 3 way split
The Crambo e-mobile Market leading green waste and wood shredder with high throughput
The Cribus A new dimension in drum screening – High throughput with high quality end product
The Hurrikan S High performance windsifting
Breath easier at AQE 2024
AQE
2024, or Air Quality and Emissions Expo, made a significant impact from 9-10 October at the NEC in Birmingham. Boasting the largest exhibitor turnout and the most comprehensive conference programme since 2002, AQE 2024 was not just another industry event – it was the place where the future of air quality and emissions monitoring will be shaped.
The show was an unmissable gathering for professionals, researchers, and policymakers deeply invested in the fight against air pollution and climate change.
The detrimental effects of air pollution on public health and the climate have never been more evident – or urgent. From the thick smog that shrouds cities to the invisible yet insidious greenhouse gases warming our planet, the call for action is growing louder. Governments, scientists,
and environmental activists are increasingly turning their focus to air quality measurement and emissions control, making events like AQE more critical than ever.
Technology has advanced rapidly, offering new insights into pollution patterns and ways to mitigate its impact. AQE 2024 served as a knowledge hub where attendees could explore the latest technologies, regulatory updates, standards, and innovative methods designed to combat air pollution and promote sustainability.
With over 200 leading technology and service providers under one roof, AQE 2024 was an unparalleled opportunity to dive deep into the latest advancements in air quality and emissions management. The event attracted a diverse range of attendees, including regulators, local authorities, consultants, instrumentation engineers, laboratory staff, process operators, and engine and powertrain developers, along with clean air campaigners and other stakeholders.
Cloud-based Monitoring Noise, vibration and air quality solutions
The exhibition at AQE 2024 showcased cutting-edge technologies that push the boundaries of what’s possible in environmental monitoring. Low-cost sensors and mobile technologies are revolutionising how we track air quality in real-time, offering new ways to gather data and make informed decisions. The use of cellular networks to create expansive, interconnected monitoring systems is a gamechanger, allowing for the rapid deployment of sensors across cities and regions.
Visitors had the chance to engage directly with the minds behind these innovations, offering a unique opportunity to discuss challenges and solutions face-to-face. This interaction is invaluable for professionals seeking to stay ahead of the curve in an industry that evolves at breakneck speed.
AQE Expo returns next year to Birmingham’s NEC from 17-18 September 2025. This is our pick of the best exhibitors from this year’s show, listed here in alphabetical order: EEMC Monitors. Further details can be found on this page.
www.ess-expo.co.uk/five-shows/aqe
4 High quality, with exceptional value for money
4 Robust, rugged and easyto-install IP rated hardware
4 Intuitive web-based platforms for instant realtime measurement data, smart alerts & remote configuration
4 Customised automated reporting as CSV/Excel or PDF
4 Sustainable off-grid, mains and battery power solutions
4 Reliable wired and wireless connectivity
4 UK based Sales Support & Calibration Services
A heritage of engineering excellence
Blaker, established in 1886 by Alexander Blaker, has a proud history as one of the longest-standing businesses in the Horsham District of West Sussex. Originally based in Islington, the company earned recognition in automobile engineering, including the creation of the award-winning Hallé Spring Wheel, which received a gold medal at the 1905 Liège Universal Exhibition. As the company grew it relocated several times, eventually settling at its current premises in Billingshurst, near Horsham, West Sussex, where it built a thriving business specialising in axle and chassis repairs, heavy plant and equipment repairs, and mobile welding services. Over the decades, the business evolved to meet changing market demands, culminating in the formation of the Blaker Group. One of its key divisions, BlakerTech, now leads in designing and manufacturing specialist metal recycling equipment, continuing a legacy of innovation and engineering excellence.
BlakerTech delivers comprehensive metal recycling solutions tailored to client needs. Beyond manufacturing, services include site audits, design with 3D modelling, proposal development, precision manufacturing, thorough testing, and seamless installation with training.
BlakerTech has produced innovative products like the MagThro eddy current system and SandFlo™ fluidised bed separator, that are used to efficiently separate non-ferrous metals from mixed materials, solving key industry challenges.
The MagThro™ is an advanced eddy current separator, built at BlakerTech’s manufacturing facility in the South East of England. It is known for its exceptional power
and performance while delivering precise and efficient separation, ensuring consistent results with minimal effort and downtime. One of its standout features is the positioning of its rotors close to the materials for optimal performance, enabling efficient separation of non-ferrous materials. It has been extensively tried and tested in demanding environments, proving its reliability and robustness under challenging conditions. What’s more, MagThro also stands out for its ease of use, making it a practical choice for recycling plants aiming to maximise recovery rates whilst minimising waste.
A second product worth noting is the SandFlo fluidised bed separator, designed for highperformance material separation. SandFlo is ideal for the recovery of aluminium, zinc, copper and brass fractions from mixed non-ferrous metals in processing plants. Because it produces zero byproducts, SandFlo is a clean solution that requires no disposal of residual materials, and produces cleaner outputs ready for resale. Furthermore, its dry separation process is particularly advantageous in environments where water may be limited.
Sustainability is a core focus for BlakerTech, that take pride in partnering with local and national UK suppliers to promote responsible sourcing. As the global push for sustainability and circular economies grows, BlakerTech's reliable, robust, and user-friendly systems have become essential for clients striving to meet government-mandated net-zero targets and environmental goals.
The system is simple and reliable, with no complicated technology to fail, and capabilities of sorting non-ferrous materials by their density screened up to 50mm. SandFlo™ works best when paired with the MagThro , as together, they further refine the outstream, maximising recovery rates. In conclusion, together, these systems save the expense of manual sorting, offering an efficient and costeffective solution for all metal recovery operations.
Following the SandFlo™, BlakerTech has announced that it’s in the final development stages of the Linear SandFlo , which is for more demanding environments and has an operational capacity four times greater than its current model. The Linear SandFlo™ builds on the proven robustness and reliability of the existing SandFlo , ensuring both models remain effective solutions tailored to different operational needs.
“Our technologies are designed to maximise the extraction of valuable materials while minimising waste. By improving the efficiency of recycling processes, we help reduce the need for raw material extraction and support a more sustainable industrial ecosystem. Additionally, our solutions significantly reduce the amount of waste sent to landfill, providing an environmentally friendly alternative that aligns with global sustainability goals,” stated Robin Plater, Commercial Manager at BlakerTech.
Looking ahead, BlakerTech plans to continue investing in research and development to further refine its technologies and expand its product portfolio. By collaborating closely with system manufacturers and recycling plants, it aims to strengthen its position as a leading provider of reliable and innovative recycling solutions.
T 01403 783634 robin@blakertech.com www.blakertech.com
Recycling & Waste Management
Shortlist announced
RECOUP
are delighted to announce the shortlisted entries for the 2024 RECOUP Awards.
Congratulations to the shortlisted entries, and thank you to all the companies who entered. We were delighted to receive so many submissions for all three categories, showcasing the amazing work being done throughout the plastics value chain.
Best Plastic Product Development for Recyclability or Re-Use:
t Berry Global – Abel & Cole Club
Zero Refillable Milk
t Berry Global – Omni® Xtra+ PE Film
t Capri-Sun GmbH – Mono-material beverage pouch
t Greiner Packaging UK & Ireland –K3® r100
Best Innovation in Equipment or Technology:
t Cauli Ltd – CauliKiosk - AI-powered
reverse vending for reusable plastics
t Ellipsis Earth – AI waste platform
t Polytag and Ocado Retail –Rewards for Recycling
t TOMRA Recycling: GAINnext - an enabler of food-grade sorting
Recycled Plastic Product of the Year:
t Aldi UK – All Ambient Soft Drinks, Waters, Dilutes
t Brookfield Drinks – NEO WTR
t Morph Bricks Ltd – Morph
t PT. Free The Sea (On behalf of Nestlé) – Nescafé Dolce Gusto Neo
Sponsored by REMONDIS, the RECOUP Awards Recognise and celebrate excellence in plastics resource efficiency and recycling and organisations leading a more circular plastics value chain, the winners were unveiled on 25 September, during the RECOUP Awards Ceremony & Networking Dinner. Promising a unique opportunity for attendees to establish connections, applaud industry accomplishments, and pave the way for collaborative efforts.
For more information about RECOUP, the work they do and how to become a member, please email: enquiry@ recoup.org or visit: www.recoup.org or call 01733 390021.
Navigating EU Plastic Packaging Regulations
AtTosca, we specialise in helping businesses navigate the complexities of EU packaging regulations through innovative, sustainable packaging solutions. Our expertise in innovative reusable plastic packaging and pooling systems can help businesses ensure they not only meet regulatory requirements but also thrive in a sustainability-focused market.
Tosca offers tailored packaging strategies that align with the operational needs and sustainability goals of businesses, whether they need reusable crates, pallets, or bulk containers. Tosca’s detailed lifecycle analysis helps companies understand the environmental impact of their packaging choices, identifying areas for improvement and recommending strategies to reduce waste, increase recyclability, and promote reuse.
Tosca is committed to being a long-term partner in sustainability, providing continuous support to help businesses adapt to evolving regulations and market demands. Our goal is to ensure that they remain compliant and competitive in a rapidly changing landscape.
The EU's new plastic packaging regulations represent a significant step toward sustainability, requiring businesses to rethink their packaging
strategies and adopt more sustainable practices. While compliance with the PPWR and EPR laws presents challenges, it also offers numerous strategic benefits, including enhanced market access, improved brand reputation, and increased competitiveness.
By proactively adopting reusable packaging solutions and aligning with the principles of a circular economy, businesses can not only comply with the regulations but also unlock new opportunities for growth and innovation. Tosca is here to support companies on this journey, providing the expertise and solutions needed to succeed in a rapidly changing regulatory environment – building a more sustainable future for their business and the planet.
Download Tosca’s Whitepaper on EU Plastic Packaging Regulations here: https://info.toscaltd.com/eu-packagingrelated-regulations
Recycling & Waste Management
Biffa acquires L&S Waste Management
Biffa, the UK leader in sustainable waste management, has completed the acquisition of a leading construction and demolition (C&D) waste operator in Hampshire. L&S Waste Management was established in 1997 and serves major urban areas along the South Coast, including Southampton, Portsmouth, Fareham and Chichester.
L&S’ core waste management business includes two material recycling facilities in Southampton and Portsmouth, with a combined annual capacity of 225,000 tonnes, a transfer station in Fareham and a fleet of 91 collection vehicles. The deal reinforces Biffa’s strategy to grow low carbon recycling solutions for its local authority and industrial customers across the UK, as well as increasing the amount of recycled products available to the construction industry.
Biffa also operates C&D processing facilities in Scotland,
Newcastle, Birmingham and Cardiff, and is the UK’s leading supplier of waste skips. A well-established brand along the South Coast, L&S will continue to trade as L&S Waste Management.
Biodegradable plastics
Symphony Environmental Technologies Plc, specialist in the biodegradation of plastics, has welcomed a report from Tokyo University confirming the biodegradation of biodegradable plastics in harsh deep-sea environments.
The report says, “Biodegradable plastics are receiving increasing attention. Conventional plastic, used for the parts, packaging, and containers of various products, is known to end up in the sea only to never decompose. There, it causes adverse effects on the environment. This has sparked the rising importance of transitioning to biodegradable plastics that can be broken down by microorganisms.”
Recently, strong calls for a transition to biodegradable plastics are on the rise. Biodegradable plastics can be completely broken down by microbial activity into CO2 and water. They could greatly reduce the burden on the environment.
an absence of sunlight, water temperatures between 2 to 4 degrees Celsius, and very few nutrients, it is a harsh environment for biological activity.
The team placed samples of several types of biodegradable plastics at five different deepsea locations with varying depths and environments. "The samples were retrieved between 3 to 14 months later. Upon examination, except polylactic acid (PLA) plastic, which decomposes only in hightemperature and high-humidity environments, the plastic samples had all undergone changes."
This discovery marks the first time these microorganisms' ability to break down plastic has been confirmed. Also, they are known to exist in seabed sediments worldwide. Accordingly, the team concluded that biodegradable plastics would be decomposed in deep-sea environments around the world – even at marine plastic waste's final destination – the deep seabed.
Marc Angell, Biffa’s Managing Director, Construction & Demolition, said, “We’re delighted to welcome the L&S team and customers to the Biffa Group. Biffa is the largest collector of waste and recycling in the UK and the addition of L&S’ capability in the C&D sector will further strengthen our services in this important market.
“They are very well established in the region, with a focus on quality. Their sites, brand and scale give them a competitive advantage along the South Coast. We look forward to working together to leverage Biffa’s unique position at the heart of the circular economy, enabling more customers to meet their carbon reduction commitments.”
Contact T 01329 840000 info@lswaste.co.uk
Trash to trailblazer
Global
textile manufacturer and designer of commercial, hospitality and residential fabrics, Camira has redefined its original closed loop recycled polyester, X2 for 2024.
But will switching to biodegradable plastic work? The final destination of marine plastic waste is the deep sea. With
www.symphonyenvironmental.com
New recycling bin system from Robert Scott
Cleaning manufacturer and distributor Robert Scott has launched an innovative new modular recycling bin system to help businesses simplify waste management, enhance recycling efficiency, and comply with new legislative requirements.
The new 80 litre capacity Procycle Recycling Bin, featuring lid and back panel, is a versatile, cost-effective, and customisable system designed to support businesses in complying with evolving waste management requirements – including new and upcoming legislation across Wales and England.
Recent legislation in Wales mandates all businesses, charities, and public sector organisations to sort their waste for recycling so it is kept separate throughout processing. Similarly, in England the Government has recently announced comprehensive reforms to boost recycling rates and protect the environment. These include a standardised approach to recycling across the country, requiring most businesses to implement new recycling practices by March 2025.
The Procycle Recycling Bin 80L enables easy adaptation to various recycling requirements by making it simpler
for organisations to manage and separate their waste effectively and sustainably.
The modular system includes connectors so users can build bespoke multi-recycling stations tailored to their specific needs, with colour coded back panels for seven different waste streams. These waste streams include glass bottles & jars; food tins & drinks cans; mixed card; food waste; plastic packaging; general waste; and mixed recycling.
The Procycle Recycling Bin 80L is available now. For more information or to arrange a demo, please call 01457 819400, email: info@robert-scott.co.uk or visit: www.robert-scott.co.uk
To mark its 50th year in business and enduring commitment to tackling the global textile waste problem, Camira has significantly increased the percentage of textile-to-textile waste in its popular recycled polyester fabric, X2. Originally launched in 2012, X2 now contains 25% textile-to-textile recycled polyester, along with 75% post-consumer recycled polyester from plastic bottles.
Less than 1% of textiles worldwide are recycled into new products, and every seven minutes a stack of clothing, the height of Mount Everest, is sent to landfill. Using discarded textiles from the apparel industry, as well as yarn and fabric from its own waste streams, Camira has pioneered the latest X2 to make an even bigger impact, reducing its carbon footprint and illustrating the infinite opportunities of textile waste as a valuable resource.
Comprising 33 dynamic colourways with 14 new shades, X2 is designed for hybrid spaces including commercial, hospitality and residential interiors. Suitable for seating, panels, curtains and drapery, X2 provides stretch, flammability and abrasion performance.
The fabric's new colour palette embraces warm berry tones, cool blues, mauves, and turquoises, as well as subtle earthy shades, providing a colour scheme for every interior. The black base yarn in X2, composed of textile-to-textile waste, creates a textured grey mélange effect, reminiscent of a high-end wool, adding surface appeal and dimension.
To find out more, visit the Camira website: www.camirafabrics.com/en-uk/contract/fabrics/x2
Envirogard: Setting hire standards
Envirogard has been a leading supplier of specialist safety equipment for the last thirtyfive years, hiring equipment to contractors in sectors including: telecommunications, roofing, shotblasting, painting, geotechnical engineering, HVAC, chemical plants, logistics operations, electrical engineers & facilities management services.
The hire equipment is available from four depots strategically located across the country: Manchester, Barnsley, Tamworth & Ashford, with delivery options available in most areas of mainland UK.
The company is a member of the Contractors Plant Association and a Corporate Member of the Environmental Industries Commission. Envirogard is proud to offer a range of hire equipment that supports contractors to carry out environmental clean-up and pollution mitigation projects, protect employee health and safety, and deliver sustainability best practice.
The hire range covers the following five principal product groups:
t Decontamination Units and Safety Showers
t Dust & Odour Suppression Water Misting Canons
t Specialist Vacuum Cleaning Equipment
t Air Ventilation & Extraction Equipment
t Airscrubbers and HEPA Grade Dust Filtration Units
Decontamination Shower Units & Safety Showers are a first line of defence, keeping site staff safe and preventing spread of contaminants. Envirogard’s hire range includes units designed for sites without power or water, which can be supplied to site ready for use within 10 minutes.
Trailer decontamination units are routinely used to protect workers around contaminated sites, can be towed easily by vans or medium-sized cars, and can be positioned without need for a crane.
Trailer sizes range from the Micro Single Shower Trailer (for 4 people – small enough to fit in a car park space) through to the Maxi Quad XL (for 16 people). All trailers offer hot showers and built-in HEPA grade air filtration for containment of airborne dust; optionally trailers can be supplied with a boot wash station and waste-water filtration
unit. The demarcated zones in the trailers progress workers from dirty to shower to clean areas, preventing spread of contaminants from the work environment.
Dust Suppression Water Misting Canons are intended to suppress fugitive dust emissions, preventing particles from becoming and remaining airborne, and are an important measure in protecting workers from dust-related health risks. Envirogard hires both small portable mist cannons and large towable units for dust and odour suppression.
The Multimister (see left) is a towable unit with integral water tank and engine – useful for sites lacking water or power. It throws mist 25+ metres from a 4 metre mast and also features a rear spraybar for damping trackways.
An alternative static unit – ideal for sites with limited water availability – is the Dustfighter AIO. This discharges a fine mist of water droplets 15+ metres and will run for around 8 hours before the tank needs refilling. It’s powered by 110v – simply plug into a site transformer or small generator.
Envirogard is a division of Specialist Hires Ltd. For more information on the whole product range and to start your hire journey today, see the contact details below: T 0161 320 8587 www.envirogard.co.uk
Decontamination Unit
Can heat battery boilers
Thermal energy storage (TES), also known as heat batteries, is an
With home heating responsible for nearly a fifth of emissions in the UK alone, scaling up domestic TES is critical to achieving net zero. Johan du Plessis, CEO at tepeo, argues that smart heat batteries are vital to accelerate the transition to low-carbon heat while keeping the grid in balance
Electric storage heating technology, like night storage heaters, isn’t a new concept. Yet, despite having been around since the early 1960s, it is yet to become mainstream. According to the latest census, only nine per cent of households in England and Wales had electriconly heating.
A primary limitation of night storage heaters is that they aren’t installed with wet heating systems (radiators or underfloor heating), which is currently used in approximately 23 million UK homes. Switching to this type of storage heating would entail replacing all wet radiators with night storage heaters – which would have a huge carbon footprint, not to mention the cost and disruption for homeowners.
From storage heaters to heat batteries
Research and development have, more recently, focused on optimising storage materials and product design while integrating smart capabilities. The outcome of this effort has been the modern
heat battery boiler.
Heat batteries and night storage heaters are based on similar principles. The main difference is that heat batteries are specifically designed to integrate into existing wet heating systems. With this technology, households can eliminate their gas boilers – and the associated greenhouse gas emissions – without replacing radiators. As mains gas is the only heating source for over two thirds of UK households, switching to heat batteries can be transformational.
However, not all heat batteries are created equal. While some are predominantly aimed at water heating, others are specifically designed for space heating.
Different materials, different applications
Some heat batteries use phase-change materials to store thermal energy. These materials have minimal heat loss, and are typically used in hot water production to replace traditional domestic water cylinders. Due to their lower energy density, they are typically unsuitable for space heating.
By contrast, magnetite materials display two-tothree times the energy density of phase-change materials. These heat batteries can reach temperatures as high as 800 degrees while being fully insulated and enclosed for complete user safety. Reducing size and footprint is essential to making TES suitable for homes where space comes at a premium.
How can heat batteries complement heat pumps?
Heat pumps have established themselves as the go-to low-carbon heating technology, thanks to government subsidies. Widespread adoption of these heating systems remains critical to achieving net
zero. However, there are limitations to how many heat pumps can be installed.
Firstly, not all UK homes can be fitted with heat pumps. Around 20% of the housing stock, including millions of traditional terraced houses, present challenges to heat pump installation, due to insufficient outdoor space, and this percentage may be even higher. A 2024 study from the University of Warwick found that, although around half of UK homes were ‘eligible’ for heat pump installation subsidies, only 11% of homes were likely to be ‘heat pump-ready’. Costs to upgrade pipework and radiators, lengthy installations and planning permissions are other barriers to adoption.
Heating, Ventilation & Air Conditioning
boilers help cool the planet? essential low-carbon weapon in the fight against climate change
Secondly, the International Energy Agency (IEA) warns that “without improving efficiency in parallel” heat pumps can nearly triple their peak demand during winter. Therefore, retrofitting combined with “careful grid planning and demand-side management”, will be critical to mitigating this surge in demand.
Highly flexible technologies like heat batteries can complement heat pumps in two ways. They can be deployed in houses unsuitable for heat pumps, making decarbonised heating accessible to all, and they can ease pressure on the grid by shifting energy demand away from peak times.
Being smart about heat storage
Similar to the batteries in smartphones and EVs, modern heat batteries use smart algorithms to optimise energy use. Demand prediction algorithms analyse historic patterns and weather forecasts to determine accurate heat requirements. In addition, charging algorithms optimise energy use based on the household’s electricity tariff and grid carbon intensity, ensuring that the battery only recharges during off-peak times when electricity is the cheapest and the cleanest. These algorithms can even adapt to the most advanced dynamic tariffs, reflecting half-hourly wholesale electricity costs.
Heat batteries can help balance the grid by completely decoupling energy consumption from heat demand – recharging only when demand is at its lowest, and releasing heat only when this is
actually needed. In addition, they constantly monitor grid frequency and can stop charging in response to frequency drops.
Faster installation, faster decarbonisation
Many UK households only decide to replace their boiler when it breaks down, meaning speed of installation is a critical factor when selecting a new boiler. Heat batteries can be installed in 1-2 days, minimising the time that a family spends without heating or hot water.
Installers can learn to fit a heat battery in less than a day. They don’t need the gas safety or refrigerant training that would be required for gas boilers or heat pumps, respectively. Speed and ease of installation are key to accelerating the uptake of low-carbon heat technologies.
The future of heat batteries
As dynamic energy tariffs evolve, heat batteries will be able to meet the higher heat demand of larger houses without increasing their carbon footprint – and, potentially, even reducing it. This evolution will involve charging flexibly throughout the day, rather than in the single overnight period typically seen in existing smart tariffs.
I was hesitant at first, as most boiler professionals who are used to working with gas are but once I put tepeo’s ZEB® in and it worked the same as a boiler is supposed to I couldn’t believe it – it was amazing.
I thought to myself, for somebody who can’t have an air source heat pump or doesn’t want the upheaval associated with one, this is a perfect option. It is exactly like a gas boiler, it heats the radiators the same, pipework you can pretty much keep the same and so I thought… perfect. It’s another choice for our customers.
The training for the installation process is very straightforward. If you’ve been working in the trade and involved with heating for a while and already know your stuff, this is second-knowledge.
It roughly takes a good day and a half to install the ZEB, which is a standard install of a new boiler, so the process is the same. We have to ensure the system is clean as obviously if you’re removing an old boiler you need to brick up the hole and then plaster and make good then remove all the old pipework.
Another fundamental advancement will be integrating space and water heating into one product – similar to how combi boilers work. While space-heating batteries already enable indirect water heating via a water cylinder, these devices will, in future, be accessible to homes without water cylinders.
By continuing to optimise product design and smart capabilities, heat batteries will be critical to the UK’s transition to net zero. This technology can bring low-carbon heating to homes while helping ease pressure on the grid.
Installer insight – case study
Heating engineer, Martyn Jones, is the director of Bewdly-based M4RT, a company committed to choosing the right product and delivering tailored heating solutions to keep customers warm and reduce both their energy bills and carbon foot print. Martyn shares his firsthand experience of installing heat batteries.
Good for customers. Good for us
The tepeoPRO App is brilliant, I wish more gas boiler manufacturers had a similar App which tells you exactly what the boiler is doing and exactly what you need to know as a heating engineer. I love the App, I think it is great.
The best thing is that the ZEB is delivered onsite by the tepeo team – they bring it in and position it exactly where it needs to be and if not we can always move it to where we want it using the jacking wheels. The best thing about it is, it has been well thought about and the process is very straightforward.
Our customers say that the ZEB is very little hassle – our Trustpilot reviews for ZEB instals are incredible.
For more information, visit: www.tepeo.com or for installers: www.tepeo.pro
Heating, Ventilation & Air Conditioning
In Conversation with Christophe
British solar heat and power scale-up, Naked Energy, has secured £17m of strategic and financial investment to supercharge the global roll-out of its cutting-edge solutions for the decarbonisation
of
heat
The Series B funding round was led by E.ON Infrastructure Solutions and supported by co-investment from Barclays, through its Sustainable Impact Capital.
It means that Naked Energy, which has sold its unique high energy density solar technology to more than 20 countries, can now accelerate its growth even further.
We spoke to the company’s CEO and co-founder, Christophe Williams, on what this means for the decarbonisation of heat, the barriers that remain in the journey to net zero, and the ‘cold elephant in the room’.
“Heat is the cold elephant in the room,” Christophe said. “For too long it’s been overlooked. Because it’s tough – it’s boilers, furnaces and it’s distributed throughout society – so it’s been left in the long grass.
“Heat accounts for half of all energy consumed on the planet and is responsible for almost 40% of emissions, but there’s not enough focus on decarbonising that heat,” Christophe argues.
“It’s such a narrow view that heat pumps are the only technology that will decarbonise heat. It is a fantastic solution and is getting better, but it’s not
a renewable technology and adds a load to the grid.
“Where the energy going to a heat pump is 100% renewable, that’s great, but how will we produce all the energy that is needed for powering everything? We have the oldest grid in the world, and to upgrade that to deal with electrification will be a multi-decadal challenge. The new government wanting clean power by the end of this decade is going to be an enormous challenge.”
The Naked Energy solution
Naked Energy Ltd designs, develops and manufactures innovative hybrid PVT solar technology products.
Its Virtu range redefines solar energy. It’s a hybrid solar collector that combines solar photovoltaic (PV) and solar thermal technology, to generate both electricity and heat from a single solar collector.
Unlike solar PV, which generates only electricity, Virtu performs at optimal efficiency by also capturing the sun’s heat energy up to 75°C. The high-performance solar collectors generate heat up to 120°C, suitable for hot water or for pre-heat and process heat in many industrial environments. It is ideal for settings such as hotels, leisure centres, universities, multidwelling properties and applications covering the lower range of industrial process heat.
Naked Energy’s products generate more energy per square metre than any other solar technology – proven to be up to four times more impactful at offsetting CO2 emissions than conventional solar PV panels – making them ideal for high-energy consumers, especially those without the space for traditional solar panels.
The products dramatically reduce energy bills and carbon emissions and work seamlessly with other onsite solutions, enabling affordable clean energy transition.
A target for solar thermal
Despite the huge potential for solar thermal, there are currently no targets for it in the UK.
“Europe is putting out a mandate through the Green Deal and solar thermal is recognised and supported. There are currently 10 million systems already on rooftops in Europe and because every solar system has storage, there’s also 185 GWh built in, all helping to balance the grid.
“But here there is no national target or policy support for solar thermal. Why not? We’re just so far behind.”
Naked Energy is one of the main sponsors of the Solar Heat Europe roadmap which is actively promoting the use of solar thermal technology for heating and cooling. The publication ‘Energising Europe with Solar Heat – A Solar Thermal Roadmap’ has been signed by more than 100 entities and sponsors.
Naked Energy asserts that the UK should have a solar heat target and has set this at 11GW of solar thermal to be installed by 2030. This equates to 0.16kwth per person and matches the EU target. Countries like Germany, Denmark and Austria have already met or significantly exceeded this, while France, Sweden, Ireland and the UK are languishing far behind.
The UK currently stands at just 0.02kwth and would need to see 26% growth in solar thermal every year from now until 2030, across both residential and commercial.
While presenting these figures at last October’s Solar and Storage Show, the company said the challenge ‘isn’t insurmountable’.
Solving the heat decarbonisation challenge
We asked Christophe what he thinks is needed, in addition to a solar thermal target, to support the energy transition and achieve the UK’s net zero targets; his wish list for the government, so to speak.
Christophe Williams, CEO, Naked Energy
Christophe Williams, CEO Naked Energy
These are his top three asks:
t Greater focus on heat decarbonisation rather than the electrification of everything t Capital support and incentives for local manufacturing and supply t Capital rebates for big companies
“The new GB Energy wants clean power by 2030, but it’s not just about power. On the supply side we need to support local manufacturing and incentivise local supply. Businesses need access to capital to be able set up and scale factories, doing it through equity is very challenging.
“On the demand side, the commercial and industrial sector is overlooked. In Germany, for example, they have capital grants and if they install large solar heat systems, they can get a 25% rebate on the capital cost. UK governments have historically been against tariff-based systems, but a pot of capital rebates would be a great accelerant.”
Christophe also advocates for the reintroduction of the Renewable Heat Incentive for commerce and industry and the introduction of an advantage for local suppliers, similar to the Inflation Reduction Act in the US.
“Giving a 10% bonus on products designed or made in the UK would provide a huge boost for renewable energy,” he said.
The Naked Energy journey
After 13 years of research, development and patenting, Naked Energy is now poised to really scale up and bring solar thermal technologies to more businesses across the world.
The company has come a long way since Christophe decided to switch careers by taking a punt on an idea he had, financed by his credit card.
With an award-winning career in creative advertising under his belt, Christophe then decided to change course and follow in his grandfather’s footsteps.
Peter Blenheim Williams was a clean energy pioneer of his time, well known for his work on the ‘oscillating duck’ – a wave power technology in the 70s and 80s.
fuels will run out and an alternative would be needed.
His father is an aeronautical/mechanical engineer who also has a track record in innovation.
Christophe always had an itch to do something in the climate space and had designed environmentally-focused advertising campaigns as part of his earlier career, including on behalf of the government at the time.
It was when he had a conversation with someone working on solar thermal that the seeds for the new business were sown.
“He really opened my eyes to solar thermal and I became enamoured with it because it’s so clean and pure,” Christophe said.
“I joined with two engineers and came up with the hybrid tube, which is a globally unique product. I proposed starting the company and going for the patent.
“We put all the IP in there and did all the designs and patents, all on my credit card. We got our first recognition from Shell at an engineering competition, winning a £40K cash prize. Then we secured half a million euros in angel funding.
“At the time that felt like all the money in the world – we’ve now raised £27m.”
The company has manufacturing bases in the UK and Europe, and is scheduled to start manufacturing in Dallas, Texas, later this year in partnership with its US distribution partner, ELM Solar.
While the technology is focused on commercial/industrial because it is suited to high hot water usage, residential solutions on a district heating basis are not ruled out for the future.
Going for growth
With the latest investment, Naked Energy is perfectly placed to capitalise on the huge economic opportunity presented by heat decarbonisation and the growing appetite for a totally renewable solution.
The International Energy Agency projects in its latest renewables report that the share of heat from renewable energy will increase by more than 40% worldwide between 2023 to 2028.
Naked Energy plans to accelerate the international distribution of its award-winning technology with the adoption of innovative new business models.
The relationship between E.ON and Naked Energy will also facilitate the provision of Naked Energy’s technology through a Heat-As-A-Service model to a global client base. The two companies are already working on a pipeline of projects across multiple territories.
“Our latest investment shows that the urgency of heat decarbonisation has been recognised and funding to accelerate the energy transition in this way is crucial because it’s not getting enough.
“E.ON has recognised heat decarbonisation as its number one priority.”
So the future certainly looks bright for Naked Energy. All the foundations have been laid and it feels like real growth is coming.
“The crazy thing is it does feel like we’re just getting started now,” Christophe added.
“We are fanatical about heat decarbonisation and the core tech we use – solar thermal and hybrid solar thermal – produces more energy per square metre than any other technology. It’s time to put the metal to the floor, the time to act is now.”
Commercial@nakedenergy.com
This article by Linda Ram originally appeared in the September 2024 issue of Renewable Energy Installer & Specifier magazine.
As a child, Christophe remembers his grandfather telling him he was doing his work because fossil
Solar Energy & Power
PV testers for safety and performance boosts
At the Intersolar Europe trade show, Fluke presented its offer for the photovoltaics industry. The manufacturer’s testers and analysers provide failsafe and comfortable solutions to ensure safe function, longevity and high productivity of PV systems.
Highlights include the PVA-1500 I-V Curve Tracer, the only available product in the market that can consistently and accurately measure I-V curves for 1,500-V high-efficiency solar panels without overheating. With this recent product launch, Fluke has expanded its portfolio to enable solar professionals to service PV systems from micro-grid to utility-scale installations.
At the same time, the tester’s superior scan rates allow them to cut testing time to a minimum.
Another showcase, the SMFT-1000 multifunction PV tester is designed for performance analysis and I-V curve tracing of photovoltaics systems operating at up to 1,000V DC.
In addition, Fluke also presented the FEV350 analyser, a handheld all-in-one tool with comprehensive test functions for AC electric vehicle charging stations (EVSE).
More information: www.fluke.com/en-gb/ products/electrical-testing/best-solar-energyindustry-tools
Pop-up solar car park and EV charging hub
3ti®, the UK's leading designer, installer, funder and operator of solar car parks (SCPs), has completed the installation of a ‘Papilio3’ pop-up solar car park and electric vehicle (EV) charging hub at the Council Depot Centre in Merrow, Guildford. Opened on 4 June, the latest installation will support the council’s transition to electrified fleets.
Papilio3 was the perfect solution to fulfil the urgent need for EV charging infrastructure for Surrey County Council (SCC), which required an installation suitable for a compact area at the site. Papilio3 is uniquely designed around a recycled shipping container, giving it the ability to be easily transported and lifted into place. The project not only underscored the speed, adaptability and versatility of Papilio3 for installation in space-restricted areas but also demonstrated the 3ti team’s exceptional skill in overcoming uneven terrain at the site.
To date, Papilio3 has been installed in a range of settings across the leisure, public, private, commercial and industrial sectors to quickly meet the need for destination
and workplace charging at locations including the iconic Silverstone racetrack, Five Rivers Health & Wellbeing Centre in Wiltshire, Surrey Research Park and Raigmore Hospital in the Scottish Highlands.
SCC will use Papilio3 to charge its growing electric vehicle fleet, which contributes to its sustainability strategy. Each Papilio3 has an installed capacity of 19.3kWp and can produce up to 18MWh of electricity in year one, equivalent to 64,343 EV miles, saving 3.6 tCO2e.
For more information on 3ti’s SCPs and Papilio3, please visit: www.3ti.co.uk
Rise of energy bills is pushing people to move to solar power
Despite the energy price cap being lowered, almost half (49%) of UK homeowners are considering investing in solar panels for their home –with 9 in 10 considering the switch to help them to further reduce energy bills.
Yet, while energy costs were the main motivator, according to a survey of 2,000 UK homeowners, by roof system manufacturer Marley, almost half of respondents (46%) said they were considering investing as a way to reduce their household carbon emissions.
However, the biggest variances were seen across different generations, with 43% of those aged 65 and over thinking of installing solar panels, compared with two thirds of Gen Zs and millennials.
There also seems to be a disconnect when it comes to being more environmentally conscious, with 60% of
Gen Zs considering solar panels as a way to be more sustainable, in comparison to only 38% of those aged 65 and over.
When questioned on the main barriers preventing more homeowners from installing renewable technology, the cost of the panels was identified as the biggest barrier (61%), followed by a lack of understanding of how they work (28%), while 27% of respondents said they did not like the look of the panels.
Interestingly, when questioned on whether they were aware of the UK government's plans to make homes more energy efficient, the majority (54%) responded ‘no’ or ‘don’t know’.
For further information on Marley’s complete roof systems, visit: www.marley.co.uk or call 01283 722588.
Solar installation business powers ahead during 2024
North East commercial solar and battery storage installer AR Power is to invest in a larger site and grow its workforce as it embarks on an ambitious growth drive.
The Washington-based company, which manages a complete turnkey solution from design to installation, has invested heavily in staff and resources in the last 12 months with turnover hitting £5.5m for the year ending April 2024.
With the workforce reaching 33 and set to grow, the company – established in 2011 by husband-andwife team Mark and Maria Dunville – is aiming to hit revenues of £10m in the next 12 months. In three years, it is hoped that turnover will exceed £30m.
AR Power, the largest and longest established
independent solar and battery storage installer in North East England, was last year named ‘Contractor of the Year’ at the National Solar and Storage Live Awards, held in Birmingham.
Maria Dunville, finance director and co-owner, explained, “This last year has been a busy period as we focussed on planning for future growth, investing in more staff, training, and securing further accreditations, including ISO 9001:2015.
“We have done a lot of the hard work by investing in skills & equipment, all while managing the business, ensuring we continued to deliver high impact energy solutions to businesses and organisations across the north and even further afield.”
The company expanded its fleet of vehicles to 11, with four new ones acquired during the last year. The owners are now actively seeking larger premises – ideally a unit of 20-30,000ft2.
www.arpower.co.uk
