In 2022, before the Styrian waste specialist Komptech gets involved, people in Caotun imagine themselves in a different world. Because too much groundwater is being used, the soil in the community of 100,000 inhabitants in Nantou County in Taiwan is sinking. The construction of the 600 million euro artificial lake “Niaozueitan” is intended to provide a remedy in order to conserve groundwater resources. However, the project is in danger of failing, with 88,000 tons of waste in the form of a 20-metre-high mountain of garbage literally standing in the way. Not only that: terrible smells and spontaneous smoldering fires kept the local emergency services busy for days on end. The search for a partner who can properly process and remove the mountain of waste is proving challenging for the Taiwanese authorities. They found what they were looking for more than 9,000 meters west of the island state: in Frohnleiten, where Komptech, an international specialist in mechanical and biological waste recycling, is based.
Complex task
With more than 4,000 customers in over 80 countries, the Styrian environmental pioneer has already proven its expertise in complex tasks many times over. According to Komptech Sales Manager Thorsten Pichler, the initial situation in Taiwan was nevertheless particularly challenging: “The complexity of this project resulted not only from the quantity and diversity of the accumulated municipal waste, but also from the strict ecological and logistical requirements. Our task was to use techniques that would effectively separate and safely dispose of the waste while minimizing environmental impact and protecting public health.”
“Terminator” and ‘Maxx’ provide a remedy
Within just 24 months, Komptech finally managed the feat of properly removing the mountain of waste. “We were under great time pressure from the very first second. Dealing with the waste problem in Caotun quickly and efficiently was crucial in preventing further delays to the construction of the artificial lake and thus further subsidence of the land in the region,” emphasizes Pichler. The successful implementation of the project was made possible by technological innovations from Frohnleiten: The “Terminator” production lines, a robust shredder for almost all types of waste, in combination with the “Maxx” drum screening machine shredded, sorted, pressed and packaged the 88,000 tons of waste so that it could ultimately be transported to waste incineration plants and recycling facilities. Komptech partner Uni-Recycling, a Taiwanese specialist in the implementation of such projects, was responsible on site.
In the meantime, the tower of municipal waste has given way to an artificial lake. “Our corporate goal is to use advanced technologies to make a sustainable contribution to improving the environment. It fills us with pride to see how our innovative machines and extensive expertise are helping to sustainably improve the environment around the world, even in remote regions. We are determined to do our part for a more environmentally friendly future,” emphasizes Pichler.
450 machines per year
Komptech’s Asian success story is just the latest in a series of projects: “Every year, our team of around 750 people delivers technologies and solutions for mechanical and biological waste recycling and the processing of woody biomass that can be used to treat 6.5 million tons of waste worldwide,” emphasizes Ewald Konrad, CSO of the company. In addition to shredding technology, the company also offers screening and separation technology as well as circulation technology for the treatment of biological and mixed waste. In total, over 450 machines leave the plants of the Styrian environmental pioneer every year.
20 million euros for new headquarters in Frohnleiten
Parallel to the project business, Komptech is currently pushing ahead with the construction of the new headquarters in Frohnleiten – a commitment by the company to Styria as a business location: a new office building with a total area of over 3,000 square meters including parking spaces, including e-charging stations, a bicycle parking area with a flying roof, as well as the design of the outdoor area and revision of the entrance and exit to the municipal road are to be built here. The ground-breaking ceremony was held in February. Completion is scheduled for the first quarter of 2025. Construction work is currently in full swing, the first structures such as foundations and walls are already visible, and the completion of the shell is scheduled as a major milestone in the coming weeks. Once the shell has been completed, the interior work will begin. This includes the installation of interior walls, doors, windows and stairs. A total of 20 million euros will be invested.
