Tokyo (SCCIJ) – Switzerland is making another step towards a circular economy with the first plant to recover valuable materials from garbage ashes. The plant built and operated by Selfrag takes metals and minerals from incineration slag at a rate of 50%, the highest rate in the industry.
The plant uses proprietary technology and full-service solutions to recycle toxic slag (© Selfrag).
From waste to value
Selfrag inaugurated “Centro Uno”, the first Swiss waste-to-value plant of its kind, in Full-Reuenthal in the canton of Aargau in July. 35,000 tons of slag from three waste incineration plants in the cantons of Aargau and Lucerne, which would otherwise end up as waste in landfills every year, are now receiving special treatment.
A proprietary and patented technology lies at the core of the plant, utilizing high-voltage pulse generators and cutting-edge methods to process the slag. Through efficient fragmentation and separation, Centro Uno recovers valuable resources like metals, iron oxide, and mineral products, effectively reintegrating them into the material cycle.
Capital injection
The state-of-the-art facility is designed to save tons of CO2 emissions. It will recover approximately 720 kg of CO2 per ton of slag treated. Selfrag is currently qualifying the process and the plant for the issuance of annual 15’000 tons of CO2 credits. The qualification is done with the support of South Pole, the leading Swiss company in this field.
The project is being realized with a broad base of reputable academic, technical, and financial partners. In March, Selfrag raised 9.3 million francs of equity provided by the company’s core shareholders. In addition, 5.0 million francs of long-term debt have been secured through the Technology Fund and UBS. This major capital injection will allow the company to further fund and accelerate the expansion of its waste-to-value activities.
Selfrag celebrates the opening of the first Swiss waste-to-value plant (© Selfrag AG).
A milestone for Switzerland
Anton Affentranger, lead investor and executive chairman at Selfrag, called the plant a significant milestone both for the company and the circular economy in Switzerland. “With our technological leadership and recovery rates, we are revolutionizing the way incineration slag is treated,” he said. “We are paving the way for a more sustainable future.”
According to Affentranger, Centro Uno is just the first step in his vision to establish a network of waste-to-value facilities throughout Switzerland. Selfrag aims to bring innovative waste management solutions to more regions and contribute to a nationwide paradigm shift in resource recovery.
At the inauguration, cantonal councilor Dieter Egli was one of more than 80 guests from various sectors of politics, industry, and science. In his speech, Egli emphasized the collective commitment to environmental protection and resource efficiency. A panel of experts and customers talked about their motivation for participating in the project. The focus was on the major environmental benefits.
Text:Selfrag(Editing by SCCIJ)
