As one of Australia’s leading machinery suppliers for the organic waste and processing industry, Komptech CEA knows what it means to truly divert green waste from landfills.
With the proliferation of additional kerbside bins for the Australian populace, the vast majority of Australians have some understanding of green waste, food waste and organic materials. Better known as food organics garden organics (FOGO), it’s designed to be separated from regular rubbish that heads to landfills.
Local councils are working tirelessly and visibly to encourage residents to do the right thing when it comes to food and garden organics. At the same time, the public may not know about the enormous efforts that go on once their waste is collected.
This is where Komptech CEA steps in. It is a market leader in supplying machinery and systems for processing organic materials. Its range of products allows landfill operators and waste management companies to efficiently and effectively turn large amounts of FOGO into a valuable resource.
Deon Cope is the National Brand Leader for Komptech CEA. He’s been with CEA for more than 14 years, starting as a product manager.
“Not long after I started with the business, CEA identified a niche in the market, particularly around the waste industry and its need for wheeled loaders and excavators,” he says. “We started to target that market segment with machines that are geared towards it. We provided machines that were designed for the industry. The machines were ordered from the factory, with additional build items supplied and fitted locally providing unique features suitable for the segment. It’s how CEA first engaged with the waste industry.”
In 2020, CEA acquired the distribution for Komptech in Australia. It offered good synergies between CEA’s existing knowledge of the industry and the high-quality machines made by Komptech.
Why Komptech stands out
Komptech CEA has been a market leader in Australia for several years. As early suppliers and manufacturers to the organic waste sector, it has been able to understand and support the growing needs of the industry.
“We started early in the industry,” Deon says. “Komptech identified different needs for different processing materials. We specifically focused on organic waste and biosolids, among other waste products and have branched out into other waste streams since then.”
Komptech has a focus on research and development (R&D) to remain competitive in the market. It’s not about creating one machine that can do it all: it’s about making the right machine for the specific waste stream. That requires an understanding of what the market wants and trying to forecast future needs.
“Komptech designs specific machines that are best-in-class,” Deon says. “With considerable investment directed to R&D, Komptech is always looking for ways to innovate. It wants to improve its product line and use quality components when making them.”
With its head offices in Austria and manufacturing bases in Austria and Germany, Komptech has been recognised by the industry for designing and manufacturing machines with quality components. The attention to detail and thorough testing programs that have arisen from the R&D have helped Komptech become a global leader.
FOGO out of landfill
Komptech CEA is a proud partner of the Australian Organics Recycling Association Limited (AORA). It works with stakeholders to facilitate the conditions through which surplus organic material can be sustainably and cost-effectively recycled. AORA also promotes the beneficial use of compost, soil conditioners and mulches in primary industries.
“AORA is a key industry body for our sector,” says Deon. “We are heavily involved and want to stay close to the market. With AORA’s help, we better understand what the market needs and requires.”
Komptech also takes guidance from the Federal Government’s National Waste Policy. The policy provides a national framework for waste and resource recovery in Australia. It also highlights the importance of working together and outlines the roles and responsibilities for everyone – businesses, governments, communities, and individuals.
Reducing total waste generated by 10 per cent per person and recovering 80 per cent of all waste by 2030 were two critical targets of the 2019 National Waste Action Plan. A further goal was to halve the amount of organic waste sent to landfill by 2030.
For Deon, these targets present opportunities for Komptech CEA to move forward.
“For the most part, it means a dramatic increase in the volume of material that needs to be processed,” he says. “Operators and waste facility managers will focus on the key metric of throughput: how much material they can run through a machine in a given period.”
Deon believes that the Crambo uniquely benefits waste facility managers. It is designed for shredding all types of wood and organic feedstocks.
“It’s not just about processing the materials,” Deon says. “The Crambo shreds the organic waste in such a way as to provide a better-quality feedstock that assists with the composting process. That means waste facility managers are gaining a high-value resource for sale as compost. That revenue can be vital for managers, as they can run more green waste through the Crambo and generate a high-revenue product at the other end.”
With one of Australia’s largest footprints, CEA has branches in every state and territory. Its distribution centres nationwide hold more stock for customers, ensuring a commonality of parts. Lead times are dropping, and more facilities can expect to get their hands on quality products.
For more information, visit: www.komptechcea.com.au
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