Washing technologies deliver higher value building materials

• 
• 28th June 2010
• Recycling
 

The introduction of new washing technologies to the Middle East has resulted in operators throughout the region enjoying increased revenues through the delivery of higher quality sand and aggregate products to the construction sector. This rise in material quality has helped operators to reduce waste and increase the efficiency of sand and aggregate washing plants throughout the region.

The washing technologies introduced to the Middle East by Northern Ireland Company, CDE Global in 2005 have now been installed throughout the region with processing systems now operational in Qatar, Bahrain, Oman, Saudi Arabia and Iran. All the signs are that coverage will continue to grow in the coming months and years as operators see first hand the benefits of employing the sand and aggregate washing equipment offered by CDE.

"Our Evowash sand washing plant in particular has enjoyed considerable success on a global scale" says one of two CDE Export Sales Managers for the Middle East, Mr Iain Walker. "Following on from the success we enjoyed in Ireland and the UK the Evowash system is delivering maximum value sand and aggregate products throughout Europe, the Middle East, Africa and India with plans in place to ensure this expands into new markets in the near future."

In all the markets where CDE operate the Evowash system has been responsible for the early wins. This is due to the efficiency gains that operators will enjoy upon the introduction of the system according to Mr Walker.

"The Evowash system out performs any other sand washing system available on the global market in relation to achieving final product specification and the minimisation of waste" says Walker. "A lot of traditional sand washing technologies are extremely inefficient and operators are losing large volumes of quality sand product to their ponds or settling lagoons. This issue is dealt with by regular re-processing of the material in the ponds but this is a very expensive process. One of the first things we will do with a new customer is go through the figures regarding current costs and we will demonstrate how the pay back period for an Evowash system more than justifies its introduction. This may sound like a very confident boast but we know it works from the hundreds of previous installations we have completed."

CDE Global have been established in the Middle East since 2005 and their washing technologies have been employed in the processing of a wide range of materials - marine sand washing in Bahrain, the processing of crushed rock to produce manufactured sands in Oman, excavated desert sands in Qatar and natural sands in Iran. In addition there has also been significant interest in the production of silica sands.

"We are currently on site in Tunisia installing a major silica sand washing plant and this is an area where we have considerable previous experience throughout Europe" says Mr Walker.

The ability to apply the various washing technologies offered by CDE to a wide range of feed materials has been key to the success that the company has enjoyed in recent years.

"Customisation is key" explains Mr Steve Williams, the second CDE Sales Manager in the Middle East region. "While other equipment providers offer a range of standard models with limited applications, we build each machine to deliver the material specification required by the customer. This approach ensures maximum commercial value and minimum waste for our customers."

Another key factor in the success that CDE has enjoyed is their suite of waste water treatment and recycling products which allow operators to recycle up to 95% of the water used in the washing process. In a region where access to water is something of an issue when compared to CDE home territory in Ireland, the ability to recycle large volumes of water is crucial to ensuring that operators are able to employ these industry leading washing systems. The waste water treatment and recycling systems offered by CDE have been specified on projects in Qatar, Bahrain and Iran to date and the company remains positive that this coverage will increase over the coming months.

Another area where CDE see opportunities for further expansion in the short to medium term is the recycling of construction and demolition waste material. This allows for the production of fully certified sand and aggregate products from construction and demolition waste which not only reduces the requirement to dispose of the material but also offers another source for sand and aggregate products where natural resources are scarce. CDE have developed significant experience in this sector in the UK market over the last decade in a market where demand has been driven by a densely populated region and dwindling natural resources. While the UK market has led the way in the recycling of construction and demolition waste material, CDE report a growing interest in these systems throughout the Middle East.

"Key to our success has been the commitment we have to understanding the specific requirements of the region in terms of what equipment is required to do the job that needs to be done" says Mr Walker. "In a lot of cases people assume that the same product that works in Europe can be plugged in to the Middle East and will automatically be a success, As a result of the fact that we have committed to the region through our Middle East headquarters in Doha and our dedicated project management, sales, accounts and after sales teams we understand the requirements of operators better than most."

This point is supported by the introduction of the Sirocco ‘dry wash' system to the Middle East region by CDE. The Sirocco system is an alternative classification system for sand that allows operators to efficiently remove the unwanted fines from their sand product by using air instead of water as the ‘washing' medium.

"The Sirocco unit has been very well received since its introduction as it offers those without access to the volumes of water required for a full washing plant an opportunity to produce a higher quality sand product than would otherwise be offered by simple dry screening" explains Mr Williams who has already won major projects for the Sirocco system in Oman and Saudi Arabia.

With an expanding product range, an ever increasing number of reference sites for their technologies and a clear commitment to the Middle East for the long term both Mr Walker and Mr Williams are very positive about the future prospects for business in the region.

"Given the efficiency gains that we can offer and the determination to continually bring new products to market we know that the opportunities are out there to be won" says Mr Walker.

CDE have just returned from a very successful first appearance at the Bauma exhibition in Munich, Germany where they launched the new M2500 mobile washing plant concept to the global market. Given the company's proven track record for introducing new products to the Middle East market, the first M2500 will not be far away.

www.cdeglobal.com

 

 

Associated Links

• Hub-4 Profile of CDE Global
• CDE Global Company Website