Eggersmann Anlagenbau has realized the largest plant to date for processing lightweight packaging waste (LVP) in Denmark for the waste disposal service provider ReSource Denmark Aps. The new plant in Esbjerg, ReSource Denmark, is designed for the mechanical treatment of a total of 160,000 tons of LVP per year. The initial commissioning with material took place in January of this year; installation began in May 2023. Within six months, Eggersmann installed approx. 140 tons of steel and created around 1.6 km of assembly line. In addition to Eggersmann Anlagenbau as the general contractor, BRT HARTNER was also involved in the project as the Eggersmann Group’s expert for stationary recycling machines.

The catchment area includes not only Denmark, but also other parts of Scandinavia. The plastic waste is processed with the aim of subsequent mechanical and chemical recycling. For this purpose, the input material is separated into eleven different fractions. In addition to the separation of plastics – such as LDP, HDPE, PP and PE films – composite materials and both magnetic and non-magnetic metals are also separated. As expected, the purity is between 90 % and 94 %, depending on the fraction.

By 2028, 520,000 tons of CO
₂
e emissions are to be saved

The unmixed fractions are then used for mechanical or chemical recycling. “ReSource will be a cornerstone of the circular economy,” says Lars Hedegaard Kristensen, Plant Director and CEO of ReSource Denmark Aps, summarizing the importance of the plant. “Our plant will have the capacity to treat all plastic waste in Denmark from now on. This will contribute to Denmark’s ambitious recycling targets.” The government plans to recycle 80% of plastic waste by 2030. According to ReSource Denmark Aps, 85% of Danish light packaging waste is currently still incinerated and exported. The company therefore expects the new plant to save around 520,000 tons of CO
₂
e emissions.

Cover photo: Eggersmann