Steelworks on site at £50m waste treatment plant

Nov 18 2008 by Francesca Craggs, The Journal

PLANS to build one of the world’s largest steam autoclave recycling plants on the banks of the River Tyne in Gateshead are steaming ahead on time.

The completed steelwork structure covers the vast majority of the five acre site, and took seven weeks to complete. Work on the flooring for the ground level has started and cladding work begins next week.

The Graphite Resources steam autoclave plant uses steam autoclaving technology as an effective solution for the safe treatment of non hazardous household and commercial waste. Based at Derwenthaugh on the banks of the River Tyne, the site was acquired in 2002 by the Thompson brothers William and Michael, together with fellow director Richard Mair. They started construction on the £50million EcoParc in June 2008.

William Thompson, director of Graphite Resources said: “We’re delighted to see how much work has progressed on site. The steelworks have literally shot up out of the ground.

“Our EcoParc will help to reduce our carbon footprint and produce a useful, recycled product at the end of the sterilisation and sorting process. This project has already received widespread national interest and is set to further strengthen the region’s credentials in developing environmental technologies.”

The steam autoclaving system is housed in a modern, purpose-built facility that uses steam to sterilise and stabilise household, industrial and commercial wastes in a series of large vessels. It will be capable of treating 320,000 tonnes of municipal solid and commercial wastes, and will divert more than 80% of input wastes from landfill.

Clugston Construction, the main contractor on the development started work on site in June this year. Richard Greenwood, project manager for Clugston said: “Derwenthaugh EcoParc is an exciting opportunity, not just for Gateshead but for the North East region as a whole. It is a prestigious project and a symbol of success for all those involved.”

Three dimensional technology was adopted by Clugston to ensure that the steelwork construction fitted to scale.

This type of technology has previously been used on aeroplanes such as the Boeing 777.

The technology enables users to virtually walk through the site and plan the best places to situate the materials, section by section.

Procured via a negotiated partnering arrangement, the project team comprises process engineers and contractors to ensure a seamless solution to the construction process.

The EcoParc will act as the blueprint for all future sites and comprises four key areas – municipal solid waste/commercial waste reception; steam treatment and reception; separation plant; light waste, despatch and green waste transfer station.

Additional office and floor space will be created for future development.

The waste processing buildings will feature the latest UV odour treatment technology and be held at a negative pressure to prevent the release of any odour.

William Thompson said: “We aim to develop one of the leading EcoParcs in Europe, in terms of quality environment and technology as well as creating sustainable employment for the long-terms benefits of a local workforce.”

Please go to www.graphiteresources.com for further information.