Barrier Fire Protection enhances waste management efficiency with UNTHA shredder

Barrier Fire Protection, a provider of passive fire protection solutions, has enhanced its waste management process by investing in the new UNTHA RS30 shredder. The organization specializes in epoxy intumescent coatings and other fire protection technologies, supporting clients throughout the lifecycle of their facilities. 

Founded in 1980 and based in the U.K., Barrier Fire Protection identified a need for an efficient, high-quality solution to process waste from fire protection coating tins. The organization's previous method involved a hydraulic arm to empty and compress tins into Intermediate Bulk Containers (IBCs) for off site treatment, but this method did not fully utilize IBC capacity, leading to inefficiencies.

After exploring various UNTHA shredding solutions, Barrier Fire Protection trialled the RS30 shredder — a robust  shredder designed for hazardous waste. The RS30 was supplied with a custom-raised frame, allowing an IBC to be positioned directly underneath the shredder. Equipped with a 40-millimetre screen, the shredder boosted throughput significantly, processing up to 1.1 tonnes per hour compared to the previous 600 kilograms.

"UNTHA worked closely with us to understand the complexities of our shredding needs, particularly the challenges posed by the residual liquids and solidified materials in the tins," says Tony Mouter, site manager at Barrier Fire Protection. "The team's recommendation of a detailed cleaning regime has been crucial in maintaining the shredder's performance, and we appreciate their commitment to finding a solution that addresses our specific issues."

By shredding the tins, Barrier Fire Protection has realized a 4:1 reduction in material volume requiring disposal into each IBC, leading to a more efficient use of storage capacity. Furthermore, this volume reduction has resulted in significant cost savings due to fewer required collections.

Lewis Horne, internal sales lead at UNTHA UK, commented, "Since the RS30 was readily available at our headquarters, we quickly adapted it to fit Barrier Fire Protection's specific needs. With only minor adjustments needed, such as customizing the frame for IBC compatibility, we were able to accelerate the commissioning process."