Metso HRC8 – Crusher with sand crushing credentials

According to Metso – Finland’s global name in the manufacture of crushers and screening equipment – Industrial quality sand is a threatened commodity.  

In a recent press announcement promoting their HRC 8 (HPGR) high pressure grinding rolls crusher, Metso stated: ‘With a decline in the number of sand extraction sites in Europe – and limitations in the number of permits for new ones – the supply situation for sand has become challenging’.

‘With transportation of sand from distant locations declining due to economic viability’, Metso is of the view that ‘local production’ is the recommended alternative – a fall-back whose time has truly come. 

In this regard, Metso and their UK and Ireland distributor, McHale Plant Sales share a common opinion, to wit that the production of industrial sand, and the separation of usable construction materials for cement and concrete production, ‘present significant business opportunities’ with the added benefit of ‘addressing the rising demand for sustainable practices’.

From its appearance at bauma 2025 - and the interest its presence at the event generated - the HRC 8 (HPGR) high pressure grinding rolls crusher occupies a niche position within the pantheon of stone crushers, not least for its usefulness to aggregates producers and contractors who themselves are active in supporting sustainable operations.

Geared for the production of industrial sand, the HRC 8 offers process flexibility and higher capacity coupled with low energy and wear part consumption – attributes that make it an attractive option for aggregates specialists.

According to Metso, ‘the cement industry creates 8% of global CO2 emissions with a target to reduce these emissions by 25-55% by 2030 and to achieve zero-emission cement production by 2050’.

With the construction industry moving towards the circular economy - and urbanization expected to drive demand for raw materials to meet growing global needs – the use of recycled materials in cement and concrete production is expected to increase above current levels – an increase that Metso calculates will be in 20-30% bracket.

According to them, the HRC 8 offers a proven solution for aggregate producers and contractors, delivering high quality output with excellent gradation and particle shape, features that McHale Director UK, Morgan Grant says: “fully meets the specifications for recycled concrete and cement applications”.

“We have just completed the sale of the first Metso Nordwheeler HRC8 into the UK. Eco-friendly, and fully electrically driven and operated, the machine provides the quality and reliability associated with Metso products in a portable and user-friendly wheeled unit. Specified to crush 0/32mm down to a 0/2mm the machine has exceeded expectations in terms of performance and reliability, achieving 20% more final product than originally anticipated,” he added. 

Included in the Metso Plus offering, the HRC 8 for Aggregates is available as a portable model on Nordwheeler as a part of Nordplant's pre-designed crushing modules and plants, and in stationary format.

Providing flexibility for relocation based on material location, the ‘energy efficient’ HRC 8 saves up to 50% energy compared to other technologies, whilst generating low dust emissions and noise levels.

Equipped to convert quarry and demolition waste into high-quality, high-value sellable products – under the upcycling acronym CDW (Construction and Demolition Waste).

Of particular note is its capacity to release recycled cement from CDW to produce high-quality manufactured sand, and improve poor-quality sand, thereby avoiding the use of virgin resources and upcycling quarry waste materials.

As McHale sales director, Denis McGrath puts it: “given the increasing number of high-profile businesses now supporting the circular economy – including Metso and McHale Plant Sales – the HRC 8 perfectly reflects the appeal it has for manufacturers and distributors alike who are ‘on record’ as supporters of the circular economy”.