Effective Shredder Technology to Produce Alternative Fuels
Cemex Colombia, part of the international building materials group Cemex based in Mexico, relies on shredding technology from Austrian manufacturer Untha.
The Colombian firm has been producing cement, concrete, and other building materials for the construction industry for over 25 years. In order to meet the energy requirements of its cement kilns more sustainably, the company uses processed commercial and industrial waste as alternative fuels. These fractions have a high calorific value and are ideal for replacing fossil fuels such as coal. With the help of industrial shredders, Cemex Colombia can produce RDF (Refuse-Derived Fuel) precisely tailored to the thermal processes in the main burner and calciner, the shredder manufacturer stressed. This would not only reduce energy costs but also significantly reduce CO₂ emissions.
As reported, the robust C-cutting system of the shredder type XR3000C produces a homogeneous output material with a grain size of 45 to 130 millimeters in one step. “Interchangeable perforated screens allow the shredder to be flexibly adapted for the production of different fuel qualities.” With a throughput of up to 15 tons per hour and operating costs of less than five Euro/ton, the XR3000C is working energy-efficiently. The plant processes around 2,000 tons of material per month, including difficult-to-handle waste such as tires and mattresses. Materials that would previously have been sent to landfill are now being recycled and returned to the energy cycle.
Untha Ibérica accompanied the project from planning to commissioning and continues to support Cemex with expertise and technical assistance.
(Published in GLOBAL RECYCLING Magazine 1/2026, Page 41, Photo: Untha)
