S. Norton Group showcases £20m shredder for metals recycling CEOs

S. Norton Group hosted a tour of its latest £20m investment in state-of-the-art shredder technology for 17 senior leaders in the European metals recycling industry to showcase its success in boosting operational and energy-saving efficiencies.

Their Manchester-based flagship facility for the February visit by CEOs from some of Europe and North America’s largest metal recycling companies was chosen by manufacturer Lindemann to highlight the installation’s innovative approach to processing waste metals.

The 3000hp Lindemann shredder is one of the most efficient in the world. Its sophisticated variable speed drive system, combined with a pre-shredder and shredder drive assistant, gives best-in-class energy efficiencies. Early tests indicate it requires up to 20% less energy than a 3000hp shredder with a standard drive train and, in comparison with the previous installation at Manchester, the new shredder delivers around 50% greater throughput.

Leaders in innovative recycling and a global exporter, S. Norton Group made the major upgrade to increase their capacity to shred waste metals, mostly light iron and end-of-life vehicles (ELV), and produce higher quality ferrous and non-ferrous scrap metals. As the only shredder in the Greater Manchester area, the new facility serves the whole region for processing and recycling waste metals.

Tony Hayer, S. Norton Managing Director, says: “We were delighted to host this valuable opportunity for senior leaders in the industry to see our technologically advanced shredder and understand how it is able to produce high quality shredded material, liberating more metal than older, less efficient models.

“The shredder was custom-built to replace an ageing asset and is an integral part of our plans for growth and ongoing investment in operational quality and capacity at all our six UK sites, including Liverpool. We acquired a new site in Glasgow in December 2023 and another site in Birmingham is currently under development.”

Praising collaboration

The installation was managed by Group Capital Projects Manager, Dave Hobson, who praised the extensive design, building and commissioning collaboration between S. Norton and Lindemann engineers.

He says: “Utilising the very latest and innovative technology options, this world class shredder installation sets the business up for the future. It wouldn’t have been possible without the hard work and dedication of everyone involved.”

Carl Gustaf Gӧransson, Lindemann CEO, says: “The event held in Manchester served as a valuable forum for collaboration and innovation between us and our customers. It was a highlight to be able to showcase the first-rate installation of our best-in-class shredder machinery. Feedback from attendees was excellent and they valued the opportunity to see and discuss S. Norton’s shredder operation first-hand.”

S. Norton Group recycles a variety of ferrous and non-ferrous scrap metals, such as aluminium, copper, iron and steel. Metals recycling protects the environment by reusing materials already in existence and saves energy. EU figures indicate using recycled raw materials, including metals, cuts CO2 emissions by some 200 million tonnes every year.

Using recycled steel to make new steel enables a reduction of 75% in air pollution, 40% in water use and 76% in water pollution. Estimations for energy savings from using recycled metals is 95% for aluminium, 85% for copper and 70% for iron and steel.

For more information on the S. Norton Group, visit the website at www.s-norton.com.