IUT MSW Mechanical Sorting Plant

Mechanical Sorting Plant in Al Ain, United Arab Emirates

IUT Provides the "Missing Link" for Al Ain

Al Ain, the oasis city in the United Arab Emirates has been the region’s pioneer in waste management. The waste treatment facility located outside the city, comprising a transfer station, a composting plant and a landfill is now supplemented by the addition of the hitherto missing link – a mechanical sorting plant.

The municipal administration of the city boasting a history of more than 4000 years, situated at the foot of the Hafeet Mountains close to the border of Oman, is pursuing the ambitious project of installing a pilot plant for MSW sorting. In the run up of the project, IUT spent considerable time working with the client and future operator to develop a facility that is customized to meet the local needs of the city of Al Ain.

The Mechanical Sorting System

Up to 1,200 tons per day of household waste is collected, treated (bag breaker & trommel screen), sorted and recovered for future use.

After the waste stream passes through the trommel screen, the organic fraction is conveyed to the already existing composting plant. Use of a shredder and ferrous metal separator guarantee that a homogeneous, clean fraction is obtained.

The residual waste streams are sorted manually in sorting booths, with a special focus on the recovery of glass, textiles, PET, paper and cardboard. Whatever remains is compressed by powerful balers and taken to the landfill.

The facility, designed and erected by IUT will raise the capacity utilisation of the composting plant significantly, recovering reusable materials and substantially reducing the volume of landfilled material.