Oliver Caunce, Geminor’s UK Country Manager, is delighted with the new baler and wrapping line at the Hull processing facility.
Oliver Caunce, Geminor’s UK Country Manager, is delighted with the new baler and wrapping line at the Hull processing facility.

Geminor Upgrades Waste Processing Technology at Hull Hub

November 28, 2024
Written by 

Geminor has upgraded its British processing plant with a new RDF baling and wrapping production line. By creating 1.5-ton square bales wrapped in plastic wire instead of 750 kg round bales, customers receive higher-density waste fuel and reduced costs throughout the logistics chain.

The new production line at Geminor's processing plant in Hull, UK, offers several advantages: Increased production capacity of high-energy-density bales minimises the number of trailers driving to and from the port and increases sea transport efficiency. This reduces fuel consumption and CO₂ emissions* while decreasing the load on local road infrastructure.

"This investment takes the hub to the next level in quality baling, wrapping, and capacity, letting us increase production while maintaining environmental standards and supporting the region's sustainability goals for waste management," said Oliver Caunce, Geminor's Country Manager for the United Kingdom.

The new baling and wrapping line has a capacity of around 50 tons per hour. Svelvik Maskin AS, from Norway, supplied the machinery with subcontractors Westeria, Unotech, and Crosswrap.

With the new baling and wrapping line, the Hull plant's total capacity increases to 150,000 tons annually —potentially doubling the 75,000 tons of waste currently processed. The waste input comprises the long-term partnership with Hull City Council until 2029 and additional commercial and industrial waste streams, including burnable household and industrial waste. The well-sorted, shredded, magnetically separated, baled, and packaged fuel is then transported by trailer to customers in the United Kingdom or ro-ro vessels, containers, and bulk ships for export to the Nordic countries.

Geminor's new processing plant in Hull, which opened in 2023, is highly advanced. It features an advanced odour control system from Exeon and a comprehensive fire and monitoring system from Helios. With the new production line, the processing plant can comply with high safety and environmental standards while maximising operational efficiency. Further process development is being considered and is linked to sorting and controlling the plastic content in the waste fraction.

*A significant benefit of the new production line is the ability to deliver bales to Hull dock rather than the more distant Immingham dock. Additionally, the switch to bulk vessel transport from Hull reduces reliance on trailers for long-distance haulage. This major route change is estimated to save approximately 50 kg of CO₂e per tonne of waste delivered, equivalent to the emissions produced by powering a standard UK home for two days for every tonne transported.