Smart Resources Group
Biomass
Untha XR3000 Waste Shredder
Melbourne, Australia
Introducing
Smart Resources Group, based in Melbourne, Australia, has long been at the forefront of environmentally focused waste management. Committed to recycling and repurposing various waste materials into valuable products, the company has established itself as a leader in sustainable waste management. Specializing in the collection and recycling of builders’ waste, garden organics, timber waste, pallets, concrete, bricks, tiles, and asphalt, Smart Resources Group aims to reduce landfill waste and promote eco-friendly practices. Their impressive recycling rates transform discarded materials into new, useful products, contributing significantly to sustainability in the Melbourne region.
To enhance their operations, Smart Resources Group recently installed the UNTHA XR3000, a high-performance, energy-efficient shredder, at their 35-acre recycling depot in southeast Melbourne. This strategic move was facilitated by Focus Enviro, reinforcing the company’s commitment to adopting cutting-edge technology in waste management.
Project Highlights
Key outcomes and benefits of the project
Smart Resources Group is a leader in sustainable waste management in Melbourne, focusing on recycling builders' waste, garden organics, timber, and more to reduce landfill.
The company recently installed the energy-efficient UNTHA XR3000 shredder at their 35-acre recycling depot, facilitated by FOCUS enviro, to enhance processing capabilities.
The XR3000's electric design reduces fuel consumption and fire risks while requiring minimal maintenance—880 hours of operation with only two tooth rotations.
Smart Resources Group processes around 25,000 tonnes of timber waste annually, converting it into boiler fuel, landscaping mulch, and more, with the XR3000 playing a key role.
The collaboration with FOCUS enviro has provided seamless support and real-time monitoring of the shredder, contributing to smooth operations and minimized downtime.
A New Chapter with the UNTHA XR3000
The UNTHA XR3000 stands out for its ability to handle a wide range of materials, including municipal solid waste, commercial and industrial waste, and construction and demolition waste. Designed for efficiency and reliability, the XR3000 delivers consistent, high-volume shredding with customizable output sizes. Its energy-efficient design significantly reduces power consumption while maintaining exceptional throughput, making it an ideal choice for operations like Smart Resources Group.
Ward Petherbridge, Managing Director of Smart Resources Group, shares his insights into why the company chose the UNTHA XR3000. “We’ve had multiple shredders on this site, ranging from horizontal grinders to tub grinders, over our 27 years in business. This is our first foray into an electric machine, and the advantages are clear,” he explains. “Less fuel consumption and the elimination of combustion engines reduce our fire risk, which is crucial when dealing with wood fibre and dust.”
The XR3000’s robust construction ensures durability and minimal maintenance, a feature that Petherbridge finds particularly beneficial. “We’ve done 880 hours on this shredder and only rotated the teeth twice. Maintenance has been minimal, making it the lowest-maintenance machine we’ve ever had,” he adds.
Meeting Diverse Recycling Needs
Smart Resources Group processes approximately 25,000 tonnes of timber waste per annum, converting it into various products such as boiler fuel, wood fibre for particleboard, landscaping mulch, and hay mulch for dairy farms. The XR3000’s versatility in handling these diverse waste streams and its intelligent control system align perfectly with the company’s operational goals.
Petherbridge highlights the growing demand for boiler fuel as a key area of focus for the company. “We want to take advantage of that market and produce a quality fuel that we can supply all over Victoria, and the UNTHA XR3000 is integral to that vision,” he states. The XR3000’s ability to produce high-quality boiler fuel supports the shift away from LPG gas towards bioenergy boilers, a trend gaining traction in both agricultural and industrial applications.
Enhanced Waste Shredding Efficiency
The decision to switch to the electric XR3000 has also brought about improvements in operational efficiency at Smart Resources Group. “We’re currently running it on a generator, but we’re about to hardwire it. We’re just putting a substation in, in the next couple of months, and so this shredder will be hardwired to the grid,” Petherbridge explains. Additionally, the company’s 100-kilowatt solar array will help offset power usage, further enhancing the shredder’s energy efficiency.
The electric design of the XR3000 not only reduces fuel consumption but also minimizes fire risks, as it eliminates the heat sources associated with combustion engines. “It’s also very quiet and being a slow-speed shredder, it creates a lot less dust, so there’s a whole bunch of reasons we decided to go down that path with the UNTHA XR3000,” Petherbridge adds.
A Positive Partnership with Focus Enviro
The partnership with Focus Enviro has been instrumental in the successful implementation of the UNTHA XR3000 at Smart Resources Group. “The experience with Focus has been positive,” Petherbridge shares. “With the UNTHA shredder, we can log into a portal to monitor operations, and the support from Focus is always just a phone call away.”
The support from FOCUS enviro, combined with the advanced features of the XR3000, has ensured smooth operations and minimal downtime. “Ryan and Robbie from FOCUS (enviro) are available over the phone, and with the UNTHA shredder, the team in Austria can see what’s happening with our machine,” Petherbridge notes. This connectivity allows for quick troubleshooting and efficient maintenance, ensuring the XR3000 remains a reliable asset in the company’s recycling arsenal.
Looking Ahead
As Smart Resources Group continues to innovate and expand its operations, the installation of the UNTHA XR3000 represents a significant step forward in their mission to recycle timber waste efficiently and sustainably. With Focus Enviro’s support, the XR3000 is set to play a pivotal role in shaping the future of waste management in the region, aligning with Smart Resources Group’s vision of reducing landfill waste and promoting eco-friendly practices.
What Our Clients Say
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