Recycling

We have been active in the sustainable recycling of biowaste for more than 30 years and have extensive experience in all areas from waste separation to green waste collection, processing, energy production and the manufacture of fertiliser products. With our sustainable recycling, we close valuable material cycles and gain energy and resources for future generations.

At our composting sites, we produce compost products of the highest quality from biogenic waste with less energy content but a high woody content. When used, the resulting products improve the soil structure and also nourish the soil with valuable nutrients.

The mobile services in the area of green waste processing and reprocessing round off the diverse and comprehensive portfolio. With the mobile services, we also reach remote regions of Switzerland and professionally process the green waste directly on site. The management of external composting sites is also part of the service.

During fermentation, biogenic waste is processed into biogas, electricity, heat and fertiliser. Axpo uses the Kompogas process for this purpose. The process is based on the continuous dry fermentation of biowaste in an oxygen-free environment. During fermentation CO2-neutral methane is produced and converted into green electricity and heat in a cogeneration plant or processed into natural gas quality biogas. Thanks to this proven technology, our fermentation plants make maximum use of the energy potential of biowaste: Depending on the type, up to 1000 kilowatt hours of energy can be generated from one tonne of biowaste. Around 900 kilograms of natural fertiliser in solid and liquid form remain as a by-product.

The first step in the operational process at our fermentation plants is receiving collected biowaste. It is unloaded in a deep bunker and transported to the shredder by a fully automatic crane. The waste is shredded to a maximum particle size of 60 mm. After passing through the star screen, the processed material is fed into the fermenter via a conveyor belt and screw conveyor.

The biomass remains in the fermenter for about 14 days. Under a temperature of 55°C, the material is reliably hygienised (germ-free) and weed seeds and neophytes are completely killed off.

The fermented biomass, about 900 kilograms per tonne of input material, is then separated into a solid and a liquid fraction by means of a press. The two substances are considered high-quality natural fertilisers and can be used in agriculture or in the garden.

In a first step, the biogenic material is unloaded and sorted at the sites. Then the foreign matter is removed. In a second step, the green waste is separated and shredded so that the material can then be piled up in long rows, so-called windrows.

The windrows are mixed with structural material and old compost and then regularly turned so that oxygen and water, which are essential for the rotting process, can get into the windrow. Depending on the desired end product, this process is carried out for different lengths of time. For fresh compost, this takes about three months, for well-matured compost a good eight to ten months. Finally, the compost is sieved to the desired grain size and, depending on its use, additives are mixed in. By adding humus or low-lime sand, substrates are obtained for a wide variety of applications. Learn more about our soil, fertiliser and wood products here.

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