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Singapore's first metal recovery facility helps to reduce waste

Xinhua, December 2, 2015 Adjust font size:

Singapore's Minister for the Environment and Water Resources Masagos Zulkifli graced the opening ceremony of the country's first-ever REMEX Minerals Singapore's (REMEX) metal recovery facility, announced National Environment Agency(NEA) in a press release on Tuesday.

Masagos Zulkifli said the opening of REMEX Metal Recovery Facility marks a significant milestone in the country's efforts towards a Zero Waste Nation, a key theme under the Sustainable Singapore Blueprint 2015, which outlines plans for a more liveable and sustainable Singapore.

Located at the Tuas Marine Transfer Station, the REMEX Metal Recovery Facility has reduced incineration bottom ash (IBA), which is produced from burning waste in an incinerator, by 10 percent in weight since it started operation in July 2015. This in turn, means the lifespan of Singapore's only Semakau Landfill could be prolonged.

"The recovery of precious resources from our waste is in line with the plans under the Sustainable Singapore Blueprint's goal of Singapore being a Zero Waste Nation. While we explore innovative solutions to manage our waste more efficiently, we must all strive to make the practice of the 3Rs (recycle, reduce and reuse) a way of life," echoed NEA's Chief Executive Officer Ronnie Tay.

The 1.4-hectare metal recovery facility uses magnetic and eddy current separators to recover ferrous metals and non-ferrous metals from IBA generated by Singapore's incineration plants, and it can process up to 1,800 tonnes of IBA per day. REMEX had recovered nearly 14,000 tonnes of metal from the IBA from July to October this year.

Venkat Patnaik, REMEX Minerals Singapore Managing Director, said they have been able to maximize the use of nearly every inch of space with this facility, and they're able to match the output of much larger facilities in Europe by operating at close to full capacity.

REMEX was awarded the tender by NEA in June 2014 to develop and operate the metal recovery facility. The company operates similar metal recovery facilities in the Netherlands and Germany. Endit