Within a Material Recycling Facility (MRF) mixed waste is separated into its different material streams. The MRF usually consists of a conveyor system, a sorting area, storage area and baling facilities. The sorting area has a number of workstations where recyclable materials such as plastics, metals, paper, cardboard, etc are removed from the waste stream by hand. These separated materials are transported from the sorting area by conveyor of a chute to a storage area where they can be sent to the baler when required.

The Macpresse range of continuous baling presses and conveyors are a popular choice for MRF installations because of their reliability, low maintenance and ability to readily integrate with equipment of other manufacturers. Macpresse equipment is supplied in the U.K. R.C.P Macpresse (UK) Ltd. of Telford, Shropshire, who are able to supply a complete baling solution for your MRF. Most often R.C.P Macpresse often work closely with companies who specialise in designing and constructing MRF’s., such companies have recently specified Macpresse continuous baling presses for several prestigious MRF installations in the UK and Eire.

Most Macpresse baling machines are suitable for use within an MRF operation. The Mac 105, 108/1, 110/1, 110L/1, 111/1, 111L/1, 111AS and 112 are all ideal for use within an MRF situation. The L series offer additional features and an optional leachate collection system for baling wet municipal solid waste.

All Macpresse Fully automatic baling systems are extremely well engineered using the latest CAD and production techniques incorporated into tried and tested machine design. The frame is heavily constructed to give years of trouble free service in the harsh environment of a recycling or commercial waste operation. The baling and the extrusion chamber are fully lined with “Hardrox 500.” All liners are designed to withstand the abrasive action of the waste materials and the baling operation, yet easily replaced when worn.

R.C.P Macpress baling machines are designed for continuous operation. The electro-mechanical, horizontal, wire tying system can operate with either traditional steel wire or the latest Macpresse plastic wire, which has been specially developed for those who wish to bale RDF waste to be sent to waste incineration recovery facilities. All Macpresse machines are designed to provide the highest production and bale density in all types of material. Bale size has been optimised for loading in export containers, lorries and trains.

Full monitoring of the press can be achieved using the optional Macpresse Bale Supervisor. A computer programme designed to provide diagnostic analysis and management reports. The information is provided in real time, yielding cost per tonne analysis for labour, electrical consumption, baling wire usage, hourly production by grade, uptime and downtime reports together with other statistical data.

Is it the abundance of MSW that can be turned in to RDF?
Is the rising cost of energy from fossil fuels?
Is it the need to reduce the amount of material sent to landfill?
Is it because RDF is a profitable alternative to landfill?
Is it some or all of these?
Whatever the answer the growing interest has seen Macpresse equipment used in the construction of a number of new RDF processing facilities being commissioned Europe and the UK.

With the increase in RDF production comes the problem of correct storage. One of the key considerations of RDF is its moisture content; allowing water to enter your baled RDF will diminish its quality.

Once produced RDF usually needs to be stored for a short while before transportation. Storing baled RDF undercover doesn’t usually present a problem unless the surrounding air is very moist. Macpresse baling presses are so well designed and engineered that in many cases the finished RDF bales are compact and uniform enough to be stacked as they are, tied only with the patented Macpresse plastic wire. If stored outside or in damp conditions bales need to be wrapped in a plastic film to maintain the optimum moisture content.

Macpresse supply a bale wrapping line that works seamlessly with their baling presses for just this purpose. Bales are produced in the usual way and as the bale is ejected from the baler a sensor triggers the automatic wrapping system. The bale is wrapped on all sides in easily burnable plastic film producing neat, easily stackable bales that are moisture resistant. The film used in wrapping and the Macpresse plastic wire used to tie the bales improves the calorific value of the finished product improving its quality.

Click here to watch a video of the RDF wrapping line in action

Turn waste in to a useful and saleable fuel. When the non-combustible materials in Municipal Solid Waste are removed the remainder, the high calorific fraction, can be baled and burned, or dried and compressed to produce a high quality fuel.

Once the non-combustible materials such as metal and glass are removed from MSW you are left with a material that consists mainly of plastics, organic material (such as wood) and biodegradable waste. This material can be sold in processed form to produce electricity it is often used in the cement kiln industry, where the strict standards of the Waste Incineration Directive are met. Refuse derived Fuel (RDF) can also be fed into pyrolysis plants and arc gasification modules where it can be combusted cleanly. Drying and compressing RDF further to form pellets or bricks, produces a material that can be burned alongside coal in power stations.

Whichever route you choose the steps are the same – sort the MSW and bale the high calorific fraction. Most Macpresse baling machines are ideal for producing RDF. Every baling press is designed to handle waste material in high volumes and work in the harsh environment of a facility processing high calorific MSW. They are engineered for minimal electrical consumption, conform to the latest health and safety legislation, and are reliable and easy to operate. Bales are tied with patented high calorific plastic baling wire, which aids burning. A Macpresse bale wrapping line can be added to encase all bales in plastic film keeping them dry and preventing any material loss.

RCP Macpress offer a complete design and installation service and can supply an individual machine or complete sytem.

Recycling professionals H.W. Martin Waste Limited - having recently completed the purchase of a large warehouse and land at Alfreton in Derbyshire – have now sourced the latest baling equipment. Supplied and installed by R.C.P Macpress of Telford, this facility will provide (working with United Utilities) an improved recycling service to Derby County Council and Derby City Council.

The installation and commissioning of a Mac 105 baling press with feed conveyor and Mac 500 Fluffer at this new Materials Recycling Facility is now completed and the plant is fully operational. This facility will be processing large quantities of material consisting of Cardboard, Mixed Papers, Plastic Bottles, Glass, Ferrous and Non Ferrous Cans. After sorting, these recyclables will be baled by the Macpresse equipment.

Mark Faulconbridge, Director of H.W. Martins said, "We are proud to announce the opening of this new facility and have chosen Macpresse because of their proven track record, reliability and after-sales service.
Having plans to develop other similar facilities, we hope that this is the start of a long lasting relationship between us."

Demand for electricity continues to grow. Landfill space is disappearing and new markets for recycled material are more difficult to find. By refining refuse and other high calorific municipal solid wastes (MSW) refuse derived fuel (RDF) capable of generating clean electricity can be produced. Fuel with a calorific value approaching that of wood or coal can be produced from such waste and used for power generation or heating. Macpresse recycling equipment, from RCP Macpress, is ideal for processing such material.

Whenever RDF is prepared in one facility for burning at another, a key commercial consideration is the transportation and storage costs of the RDF. Macpresse baling equipment is ideal for baling such material. The L-series, a range of fully automatic continuous bailing presses, are specifically designed for processing municipal solid waste, refuse derived fuel commercial waste and recyclable materials. In common with all Macpresse machines the L-series is extremely well engineered. The heavily constructed frame is specifically designed for the harsh environment found in MSW and commercial waste operations. Liners are manufactured from special steel alloy to reduce general wear and protect the baler from chemical attack by contaminated liquids (leachate), yet are easily replaced when worn. The electro-mechanical, horizontal, wire-tying system can operate with either traditional steel wire or the latest RDF friendly plastic wire. After tying the bales can be wrapped in plastic film using an automatic in-line wrapping unit if required.

The Recycling and Waste Management Exhibition at the N.E.C. Birmingham will soon be with us. If you visited last year you may recall the huge graphic of a Mac 110/1 baler we used as a backdrop on the R.C.P Macpress (UK) Ltd stand. The stand attracted many wonderful visitors, but only a handful were in a position to purchase a baling press. There were three frantic days of activity followed by weeks of sorting the potential customers from those visitors who were just browsing. This year we thought we would try a different approach.

This year we have used the money we would normally spend on an exhibition stand to maintain our competitive edge and offer you baling equipment at competitive prices. Instead of taking a stand at the show Paul Godfrey, R.C.P Macpress UK Sales Manager, will be visiting the exhibition to meet people who have an interest in continuous baling equipment. Paul will visit you rather than you visiting him. All of the information you require on Macpresse baling presses including: videos, specifications, brochures and details of the popular R.C.P five year maintenance programme will be to hand. Paul will be available to answer all of your questions and offer whatever advice you need to allow you to make an informed decision on Macpresse equipment. Whilst you can telephone Paul on his mobile telephone 07808 365866, when you are at the show and arrange to meet there and then it may be advisable to get in touch with him prior to the show to arrange your meeting.

If you contact us before the show we will be able to produce, subject to the time constraints, an accurate cost per tonne figure for the type of material your company wishes to process. We will need to ask you some questions before your cost per tonne can be calculated, so if you are interested in this service visit the R.C.P Macpress website and fill in the cost per tonne calculation form which can be found at www.rcpmcpress.co.uk/cpt.asp

R.C.P Macpress (UK) Ltd is the U.K. supplier of Macpresse machines. Manufactured by Macpresse Europa s.r.l in Italy for more than sixty years this range of baling presses offer the very best in advanced technology, build quality, low maintenance and low running costs. They are not the cheapest baling presses you can buy, but they do the job they are designed for and with their low on going costs they offer excellent value for money. The Macpresse range of equipment has been tried and tested in many different environments, with many different materials over many years. Computer modelling and analysis is all very good, but nothing can replace the knowledge gained by having 000 machines in operation and using the hard facts gained from everyday use to modify and improve the range.

Of the nine different baling presses that make up the Macpresse range two are L series baling presses, which are designed for processing municipal solid waste (MSW) and refuge derived fuel (RDF). The heavily constructed frame of the L series is specifically designed for the harsh environment found in MSW and commercial waste operations. Liners are manufactured from special steel alloy to reduce general wear and protect the baler from chemical attack by contaminated liquids (leachate). Liners are designed to withstand the abrasive action of the waste materials and the baling operation, yet they are easily replaced when worn. The L-series bale structure is elevated to keeping debris away from the tying mechanism while making cleaning easier. Leachate released during the compaction cycle is collected for onward further processing.

The remaining models are designed to bale a wide range of materials: paper, plastic sheet, plastic bottles, plastic film, cardboard, paper, timber, beverage cans and food cans. The heavily constructed frame is specifically designed for the harsh environment found in recycling and commercial waste operations. The baling and the extrusion chamber are fully lined with “Hardrox 500” for longevity. Liners can be easily and quickly replaced when needed. Macpresse continuous presses have the advantage that the material being baled can be changed with out stopping the press, ensuring you are always operating at full production. All Macpresse baling presses are complemented by ancillary equipment including fluffers, hoggers, sorting lines and computer monitoring systems.

Now of course you don’t have to take our word for it simply arrange to meet Paul at the exhibition and see for yourself. Ask to see video clips of the machines in operation and find out why it is wise to operate your machine below its maximum capacity to produce quality bales day, after day, after day.

If you would like to meet Paul Godfrey at the Recycling and Waste Management Exhibition that is being held at the NEC Birmingham fro the 15th to the 17th September telephone the office now on 01952 630001

England: Mac supplies 2 new presses for the new SCA Totton Materials Recycling Facility. There are over 50 large Mac installations in the UK.

Portugal Island of Madeira: The city-owned enterprise awards Mac the contract to supply 2 recycling facilities and 2 waste transfer stations.

Jakarta Indonesia: To solve the problem of waste, Pt Vira Gulfindo, as in other Asian countries, uses the “landfill remediation” system. Macpresse supplies a system that can treat 400 ton/shift (50 tonnes per hour)

Holland: A company, leader in the sector, awards Mac with a wrapping system and urban solid waste binding.

An automatic paper sorting facility uses a Mac 108 to bale selected waste.

Italy: An awareness campaign about the collection of different materials is taking place. Today Mac supplies presses that can bale the most varied types of materials for the recycling sector.

Today the baling of waste-derived fuel is proving to be the market with more potential for development. Mac supplied the new Rome gasifier with presses suitable for baling waste-derived fuel with a plastic wire binder.

Austria: Magna Stayer orders a second 111AS/1 press to bale the packaging resulting from car manufacturing. The 111AS/1 series is fitted with a crushing belt and a 2.1m x 1.1m loading mouth.

Belgium: Mac supplies the Sittel Group with a Mac 110 press suitable for baling plastic containers. This model of press offers maximum payload potential when loading 40ft and 20ft sea containers.

United States: The third Mac 111AS/1 press for Gulf Paper (now part of the WMI group) is being built in Houston.

Monmouth County has reached its 10th year’s life in packing 2000 ton/day of waste using 4 Mac 112 models. This facility is managed by the Green Star group.

In Utah, we have 2 waste selection and baling lines in operation. These facilities service Salt Lake City.

Canada: We have 3 presses supplied by Mac to the group (Metro Waste Cascade), our association started in 1985 when Mac supplied the first machine for the Scarborough Ontario waste disposal facility.

Brasil: Macpresse celebrates its 20 years’ activity on the market in Rio. Mac installs the second waste paper machine for the CRR group. So far Mac is the only European manufacturer to install presses in this country.

Argentina: To increase the longevity of the waste disposal site and reduce transports costs, a Mac 112 has been installed in Buenos Aires. It is the first machine of this kind in the country. Production has reached 55 ton/hour with a density of over 950 kg/m³.

Sochi CSI: The assembly of the Materials Recycling facility ,supplied by Mac is near completion in the town on the Black Sea that will host this year’s Olympic winter games.

Korea: is still the Asian country with the greatest number of Mac presses installed. Mac has over 20 years’ presence on the South Korean market.

France: has been among the first reference markets for Mac for over 35 years. Two new systems have been installed recently for the Interseroh Group and for our loyal customer Solarz in Paris, with whom we have forged a strong relationship for many years.

Greece: Mac has been present in the market for 15 years and can boast numerous recovery facilities.

Poland: 3 presses have recently been installed in a country that is undergoing rapid industrial development.

Germany: confirms to be among the reference markets for Macpresse. Since 2004 over 45 large continuous baling presses have been installed in the waste and recycling sector.

Japan: Two recent installations confirm the Mac quality in the baling of large quantities of recyclables and waste.

Qatar: Mac supplies a baling press for the recyclable materials produced by one of the largest Materials Recycling Facilities operating in the country.

United Arab Emirates: 3 presses will start operation in 2009 in the city of Abu Dhabi; they will service a Materials Recycling Facility.

Colombia: To solve the waste disposal site emergency, Mac has supplied the South American country with a press capable of delivering 50 ton/hour output.

Venezuela: Mac supplies two model 108 presses to bale the recyclable materials present in the waste. The presses serve a plant realized by Sorian Cecchini Roma.

Spain: Mac has been present on the Spanish market for about 2 years. 6 installations have been comissioned. They are large presses for the waste paper and multi-material market. Among the reference customers, the name Saica, with two Macpresse facilities, stands out.