Tom White expands SRF production capabilities with UNTHA XR shredder

Tom White, commercial waste solutions specialist based in Coventry, has partnered with UNTHA UK to enhance the capabilities of its material handling on-site. With strategic investment into the XR3000C shredder, the firm can unlock greater throughputs, reduce costs, and make steps towards producing its own alternative fuel source.

Approximately 180 tonnes of commercial, industrial, and demolition (C&I and C&D) waste — sourced from the local area — pass through Tom White’s facility each day. After being shredded down to a 300mm particle size, the material is sorted by size and density, before extracting and segregating heavy fractions and valuable commodities to be redistributed into the supply chain.

Previously, the remaining residual fractions were transported to another waste management company. Now, with the UNTHA XR3000C, the material can be further refined on-site and transformed into a homogeneous feedstock, less than 50 mm in particle size, for solid recovered fuel (SRF).

Achieving throughputs of 60 tonnes per day – with capabilities of up to 80 on a single shift, the shredder also enables Tom White to target processed material from other waste management specialists. Bypassing the materials recovery facility (MRF), the material is mixed with the light residual fractions generated by the plant itself, enabling it to ultimately produce a greater volume of fossil fuel substitutes.

Overall, the circularity of Tom White Waste’s operations has been enhanced. Up to 75% more energy efficient than diesel-hydraulic shredders, the electric-drive XR3000C has improved the carbon footprint of the facility, while laying the groundwork for future-proofed on-site SRF production.

Michael Trueman, head of production at Tom White Waste, explains why UNTHA UK was the partner of choice: “As well as something mobile, we wanted a tried-and-tested shredder that could withstand the high volumes of waste passing through our facility. Having seen the UNTHA XR in action on other sites, we knew it promised the resilience for tough operating conditions and a consistent SRF output. The question was whether it could keep pace with the tonnage we wanted to put through it — a challenge that, so far, it is living up to.

“From a cost perspective, the UNTHA Finance package was an attractive benefit for us too — and not just because we can budget accurately. We have wrapped a five-year service plan into our investment — including three site visits per annum, complete with full machine inspection and service, plus oil and filter change — for ultimate peace of mind.”