Renewi x Smicon: the recycling of millions of tons of waste

For many years, Semler has focused on food waste recycling. What started as a local pig farm that collected waste residues for animal feed has grown into a major player in the processing of organic waste.

Today, Semler is part of Renewi Organics, an international waste processing company with a mission to give waste a second life by recycling and reusing it as much as possible. With a recycling rate of 63%, Renewi has already managed to repurpose millions of tons of waste. At the locations in Son, Amsterdam and Lelystad, waste consisting of out-of-date products (ODP), industrial rejects, recall products and SWILL are processed. They use plastic 2-wheel mini containers and pallet boxes to collect these flows.

We spoke to Olaf Welmers, site manager in Son, about his experiences with Smicon and the developments within the sector.
 

A family business with a professional approach

Olaf Welmers has been working at Renewi Organics for five years and is responsible for the recycling process at the Son site. “The great thing about this company is that it combines the charm of a family business with the professionalism of a multinational,” says Olaf. “The family lives right next to the site, while we also benefit from the structure and resources of a large organisation like Renewi.”
Since his arrival, Olaf has worked closely with Smicon, which plays a crucial role in the recycling process. “When I first started, I visited Smicon to get to know the machines and their service better. It immediately struck me how important this technology is for our efficiency.”

Renewi distinguishes itself by converting waste into valuable raw materials and energy, with the aim of giving 90% of all the waste it processes a new destination.
 

Innovation and efficiency thanks to Smicon

At the Son site, Renewi uses various Smicon solutions, including the SP600, SMIMO160, windshifter and cyclone. This allows them to process up to 25 tons of waste per hour and ultimately leaves them with only 4% residual waste. These technologies have made a big difference in the recycling process. “Thanks to regular inspections and the reliable operation of the machines, we hardly have any downtime. It gives us a lot of peace of mind to be able to trust that everything will keep running,” says Olaf.
A recent improvement that Olaf is enthusiastic about is for the unpacking machine. “The installation of clamps in the SMIMO160 makes cleaning easier, which reduces cleaning time.”
 

Anticipating trends and regulations

The waste recycling industry is constantly changing, with increasingly strict laws and regulations. Olaf sees changes in the waste streams in particular. “Supermarkets are striving to reduce food waste, which is reducing these waste streams. At the same time, we are seeing an increase in restaurant waste (SWILL), because they are increasingly being separated. Smicon helps us to respond flexibly to these trends.”
  

A partnership that inspires confidence

According to Olaf, Smicon is a partner that really thinks along. “Their machines stand out when it comes to quality. When you compare different suppliers, you immediately see that Smicon is ahead. Interested parties can also always come to us in Son for reference visits. We are very satisfied with their technology and service.”

An additional advantage of the collaboration with Smicon is the short distance. “It is very nice that Smicon is only an hour's drive away,” says Olaf. “If there is ever a problem, they can be there quickly to solve it. Fortunately, that is almost never necessary, because the machines are so reliable. But it gives an extra sense of security.”

Olaf also praises the talent of Smicon's mechanics: “They have broad technical knowledge and really deliver quality. It is special to see how Smicon succeeds in attracting and training young talent in this sector.”
 

The future of food waste recycling

His advice to other companies considering the step towards food waste recycling? “Compare suppliers carefully and take a look at companies that already work with Smicon. You will see that their machines and service really make a difference.”

With partners like Smicon, Renewi Organics (Semler) is committed to more efficient and sustainable processing of food waste. A collaboration that proves that technology and passion go hand in hand to make an impact.

Would you like to visit this reference? Please contact our sales team now.