Using aggregate derived from waste can raise questions about quality and safety. Blue Phoenix United Kingdom’s Technical Director Neil Nolan talks about the testing and processing protocols for incinerator bottom ash aggregate.
Energy-from-waste (EfW) has been described as one of the many strategies for Australia to deal with the waste it generates.
For decades, global waste management company Blue Phoenix has assisted energy-from-waste plants realise circular economy outcomes.
Blue Phoenix designed and developed technology that treats incinerator bottom ash (IBA) – the residual material that remains after waste is treated in EfW plants – to extract ferrous and non-ferrous metals that can be circled back into the economy.
The removal of metals allows Blue Phoenix to transform IBA minerals into a sustainable source of aggregates (IBAA) that can be used for construction and civil engineering projects as a replacement for primary material.
Not only does this reduce the volume of waste that goes to landfill, but it also reduces the demand for the mining of primary resources.
In 2024, Blue Phoenix flicked the switch on Australia’s first IBA plant in Kwinana, Western Australia.
Ian Lynass, Managing Director of Blue Phoenix Australia, has been the driving force behind the plant and developing sustainable and responsible pathways for the reuse of IBAA in Australia.
He and his colleagues in the industry have established the Manufacturers of Incinerator Bottom Ash Aggregate of Australia Association to bring together industry players. The association has created an industry-led Code of Practice for the use and application of IBAA (aggregate) currently being produced in Kwinana Western Australia.
Ian believes IBAA will play a role in road and civil construction. But, he says, there’s a lot of work to ensure it’s done responsibly and sustainably.
“While there’s a willingness to consider recycled material for road building and, construction works and cement-based products, we need to work with regulators to create the most appropriate pathway for reuse,” he says.
“Current collaborative work with industry peers and regulatory bodies is very encouraging in practice, yet much work still needs to be done to create the fully circular approach to this industry.”
Blue Phoenix United Kingdom’s Technical Director Neil Nolan has released a series of social media posts to answer frequent questions about the quality and safety of incinerator bottom ash aggregate.
What types of waste are typically incinerated to produce incinerator bottom ash (IBA)?
Municipal Solid Waste makes up 80-90 per cent of the waste that goes into an energy from waste plant – this is the everyday household waste.
The remaining 10-20 per cent consists of commercial and industrial waste, which may include packaging materials, textiles and other non-hazardous residues from manufacturing and businesses.
What materials is incinerator bottom ash aggregate (IBAA) typically made of?
The main constituents contained in IBAA are glass, ceramics, concrete and masonry.
Does using waste mean the resulting IBAA is hazardous?
IBAA is not hazardous. IBA can only be processed into IBAA after it has been tested and confirmed to be non-hazardous.
Strict environmental and safety standards must be met before IBA is allowed to undergo processing, ensuring IBAA is safe for use in construction and other applications.
How does the processing of IBA affect its properties?
Blue Phoenix’s innovative process removes metals, organics, paper and plastic while sizing the material to meet various specifications.
Splitting the material into various fractions enables more efficient processing and these can be recombined to achieve a grading suitable for use as an unbound material in road sub-base, capping and pipe bedding and as a bound material in concrete based manufacture products such as blocks and pavers.
How is IBAA tested for quality and safety?
IBAA is regularly and routinely tested to ensure that it meets the necessary requirements and standards. This includes testing for plasticity, density, residual aluminium and water absorption.
Ian says Neil’s commentary is particularly important as Australia embarks on its IBAA journey.
“Blue Phoenix is always keen to share knowledge to develop responsible and sustainable pathways for reuse of IBAA in Australia.”
For more information, visit:
www.bluephoenix-group.com
