Caunton Engineering are working for one of the largest independent metal recyclers in the United Kingdom. Ward Recycling handle in excess of 250,000 tons of ferrous and nonferrous metal per year. Caunton are supplying and erecting the steelwork for a brand new building to house a state-of-the-art recycling system. This will be capable of high-tech waste segregation, resulting in a cleaner waste recycled product.

The building being constructed is a 47.26m clear-span Portal Frame Structure, 78m long overall, with 10m clear height. Nearly 400te of structural steel is employed - the design of which is by AJS Structural Design, Uttoxeter.

At one end of the building there is an opening of 2 bays, with 6m high push walls fabricated from 15mm and 20mm thick plate. This is shown in the photograph, and is a first for Caunton Engineering who were to provide and install a series of vertical plates to form this “Push Plate Wall”

In summary, a “wall” of 20mm thick Plates measuring 6m x 4m, then reducing to 15mm thick x 6m x 4 m, are positioned on the internal perimeter forming a recess of solid plate 8m high x 12m deep x 47m wide.

Specialised heavy plant will utilise the plate as a “back-stop” to push against and then scoop up the waste. (The dynamic / impact force exerted on the Push Plate Wall is expected to be in excess of 100 tonnes). This collecting of the waste initiates the recycling process, which is then carried out within the operational area enclosed by the Portal Frame Structure.

Ward Recycling are to be congratulated on their moves towards increased sustainability, and Caunton are delighted to be instrumental in this.