Suez has opened what it says is the largest facility in the EU for the extraction and recovery of ultra-fine non-ferrous metal particles from bottom ash. The Valomet unit in the port of Ghent was inaugurated on 20 February by Jan Jambon, Flemish Minister-President, and Jean-Marc Boursier, Suez Chief Operating Officer.
The facility will offer a second life to these recovered metal particles. Small objects containing metal, such as ballpoint pens and chip cards, include a number of components that end up in household waste. The firm produces secondary materials and green energy from this waste. The bottom ash (residual waste from the energy-from-waste process) is mainly recovered for use as a underlay for road and runway building.
Innovation for the circular economy
Suez transports bottom ash from some 50 European energy-from-waste plants managed by the Group in Europe to its processing plant in Grimbergen. An ultra-fine fraction is extracted: a concentrate of non-ferrous metal made up of particles of between 0 and 20 mm.
Today, using the innovative Valomet process developed in-house, SUEZ is going one step further by recovering mainly aluminium, copper and a residual minerals from this fraction. The aluminium and copper are then reintroduced into the production process through foundries and metal refineries in Belgium and in Europe. The residual minerals are returned to the Grimbergen plant to be recovered again.
With a €1 million support from the Flemish government, the new plant marks a key step for the circular economy in Flanders and Europe. By recovering bottom ash, the process helps to protect natural resources. The Valomet process recovers copper and aluminium using 80 and 95% less energy respectively than traditional mineral extraction processes, thereby also reducing CO2 emissions.
Jan Jambon, Flemish Minister-President, said: “The circular economy offers great opportunities for our industry and society. Valomet is a good example.”
Jean-Marc Boursier, SUEZ Chief Operating Officer, said: “The recovery of residual waste into new secondary raw materials plays a key environmental role by reducing waste volumes and protecting the planet’s natural capital. Supported by the Flemish government, this innovative European project further strengthens SUEZ’s position throughout the waste recovery chain and adds value to the fine metal particles contained in bottom ash. The pilot project, which began in 2014, extracted 1,300 tonnes of non-ferrous metal a year. From 100 tonnes of household and industrial waste, we extract at the end of the process 200kg of pure aluminium, 50kg of pure copper and 21 g of precious metals.”
