Lindner Polaris Shredder: The One-Step Waste Processing Solution

In June 2017, Mach Tech Services officially launched the Lindner Polaris one-step shredder into the UK market, introducing a new approach to the processing of untreated waste for RDF and SRF production.

Hosted at North West Recycling’s facility, the launch brought together waste and recycling professionals, Lindner customers, prospective customers and industry representatives to see the Polaris operating in a real-world environment.

North West Recycling was the first recycling company in the UK to take delivery of the Lindner Polaris, making the site an important milestone in the machine’s introduction to the UK market.

Today, the Polaris remains a highly specialised single-shaft industrial shredder designed for one-step processing of untreated municipal, commercial and industrial waste.

What is the Lindner Polaris?

The Lindner Polaris is a high-performance one-step waste shredder designed to process suitable waste streams into a defined fuel fraction without requiring a separate primary and secondary shredding stage.

The machine combines high torque, robust construction and sophisticated cutting technology to tackle demanding waste streams while maintaining high throughput and consistent output.

The current Polaris range includes the:

• Lindner Polaris 1800
• Lindner Polaris 2200
• Lindner Polaris 2800

The machines are designed for one-step processing of untreated municipal, industrial and commercial waste into mid-calorific fuels, with output sizes typically ranging from approximately 40-120 mm, depending on configuration and application.

This makes the Polaris particularly well suited to applications involving RDF, SRF and alternative fuel production.

The Official UK Launch of the Polaris

On 29 June 2017, Mach Tech Services officially launched the Polaris into the UK market.

The event was hosted by North West Recycling, which had become the first UK recycling company to acquire the machine.

Guests attended from across the UK, with groups including prospective customers, existing Lindner owners, members of the press and other professionals from the waste and recycling sector.

The launch provided an opportunity to see the Polaris operating and understand how one-step shredding could change the way waste is processed for recovered fuel applications.

Mach Tech’s Southern Sales Manager, Colin Irons, presented the technology and explained the thinking behind the new machine.

A New Approach to One-Step Waste Shredding

One of the key features of the Polaris is its ability to combine the benefits traditionally associated with different stages of the shredding process.

At the original launch, the machine was described as combining elements of Lindner’s Jupiter primary shredding technology with the cutting profile associated with the Komet secondary shredder.

The result was a machine designed to provide:

• One-step RDF shredding
• Processing of untreated waste
• Consistent output fractions
• High resistance to foreign materials
• High throughput
• High productivity
• Variable output sizing
• Reduced requirements for additional separation
• Robust construction for demanding applications

The concept was straightforward: process suitable waste into the required fuel fraction in one shredding stage.

For operators, this can provide an opportunity to simplify the overall processing plant and reduce the number of machines and handling stages required.

Why One-Step Shredding Matters

Traditional waste processing systems can involve several stages.

Material may initially pass through a primary shredder before being transferred to a secondary shredder for further size reduction. Depending on the application, additional screening, separation and material handling equipment may also be required.

A one-step solution takes a different approach.

Where the incoming material and required specification are suitable, the Polaris can process waste directly into the required fuel fraction.

Potential benefits include:

Fewer processing stages
One-step shredding can reduce the requirement for multiple size-reduction machines.

Reduced material handling
Fewer processing stages can mean less movement of material around the plant.

Lower plant complexity
A simplified process can potentially reduce the number of conveyors and associated equipment required.

Consistent output
The Polaris is designed to produce a controlled output suitable for specific recovered fuel applications.

High throughput
The machine is designed for demanding industrial operations where production rates and cost per tonne are critical.

Efficient operation
Reducing processing stages can provide opportunities to improve overall plant efficiency, depending on the application and plant configuration.

The suitability of one-step processing ultimately depends on the input material, required output specification and overall plant design.

Built for Untreated Waste

One of the defining characteristics of the Polaris is its ability to process untreated municipal, commercial and industrial waste.

Waste streams can contain a mixture of materials and potentially unwanted contaminants, meaning a shredder needs to be capable of dealing with challenging conditions.

The Polaris uses a robust shear cutting system designed specifically for demanding waste applications.

Its heavy-duty knives and cutter holders are engineered to withstand impacts from difficult and potentially foreign materials.

This level of robustness is particularly important for operators processing mixed waste streams where complete removal of every contaminant before shredding may not be practical.

High-Torque Shredding Technology

The Polaris uses a low-speed, high-torque approach to shredding.

This provides the cutting force required to process demanding materials while maintaining controlled operation.

The countershaft drive also stores and releases rotational energy according to the load requirements of the machine, helping provide additional cutting power when difficult material enters the cutting chamber.

This combination of torque and robust cutting technology is one of the reasons the Polaris is suited to demanding one-step waste processing applications.

Designed for Consistent Output

For RDF and SRF producers, the quality and consistency of the final fuel fraction are critical.

The Polaris has been developed around the requirement to produce a controlled output from a single shredding stage.

The machine’s screen system allows the final particle size to be adjusted according to the requirements of the application.

The current Polaris system uses hydraulically operated, swivel-mounted screens that provide convenient access for inspection, servicing and screen replacement. Different screen apertures can be used to influence the final particle size.

This flexibility allows operators to configure the machine around the requirements of their particular waste stream and fuel specification.

The Polaris and RDF Production

Refuse Derived Fuel (RDF) is produced by processing suitable waste into a fuel that can be used in energy recovery and industrial applications.

The Polaris was developed with this type of application in mind.

Its ability to process untreated municipal, commercial and industrial waste in a single stage makes it particularly relevant to operators looking to streamline RDF production.

The Polaris 2200 and 2800 have also been developed specifically for cost-efficient single-step processing of untreated household, commercial and industrial waste, with RDF being a typical application.

Depending on configuration and material, the Polaris 2200 can achieve throughput of up to approximately 22 tonnes per hour, while the Polaris 2800 can process up to approximately 32 tonnes per hour. Actual performance depends on factors including material composition, screen configuration and required output.

The Polaris for SRF Production

The Polaris is also highly suited to Solid Recovered Fuel (SRF) applications.

SRF production requires waste to be processed into a fuel with defined characteristics suitable for its intended end use.

For some applications, a two-stage shredding system remains the most appropriate solution. However, where the input material and required specification allow it, one-step processing can provide a simpler alternative.

Mach Tech continues to supply Lindner shredding technology for both one-step and two-stage SRF production, including Polaris, Jupiter and Komet systems.

The right solution depends on the waste stream, required particle size, throughput and final fuel specification.

Designed to Handle Foreign Materials

Waste shredding inevitably presents the possibility of unwanted or non-shreddable materials entering the machine.

The Polaris incorporates several features designed to help protect the machine and reduce downtime.

Its torque-limiting safety clutch can disengage the drive when excessive torque is detected, helping protect the drive system from overload.

The machine also features a hydraulic maintenance door that provides access for the removal of foreign material and maintenance of the cutting system.

For waste processors, this focus on protection and accessibility is important.

A machine that can recover quickly from interruptions and provide straightforward access for maintenance can help reduce unnecessary downtime.

Designed for Maintenance and Reliability

Industrial shredders operate in demanding environments, often processing large quantities of material for extended periods.

Maintenance therefore plays a major role in long-term operating performance.

The Polaris has been designed with serviceability in mind.

Features include:

• Hydraulic access to the cutting system
• Accessible cutting components
• Quick-change knives
• Replaceable screens
• Robust cutter holders
• Torque protection
• Hydraulic maintenance access
• Standardised components

The objective is simple: make essential maintenance as straightforward and efficient as possible.

North West Recycling: The First Polaris in the UK

North West Recycling played an important role in the introduction of the Polaris to the UK market.

In 2016, the company approached Mach Tech Services looking for a solution capable of maximising throughput, reducing oversize material and producing a suitable material for SRF processing.

At the time, Lindner was developing a machine specifically suited to this requirement.

That machine became the Polaris.

Following discussions between North West Recycling, Mach Tech and Lindner, the machine was delivered to North West Recycling’s facility in Carlisle.

The company became the first UK operator to use the new Polaris technology.

The machine was subsequently put through testing by academics from Montan University in Austria, providing further independent assessment of its performance and technology.

A Successful UK Launch

The 2017 launch event demonstrated that the Polaris was more than simply another industrial shredder.

It represented a different approach to waste processing.

The idea of producing a defined RDF or SRF fuel fraction through a single shredding stage offered waste processors an opportunity to reconsider the way their plants were configured.

The response from visitors to the launch was highly positive.

One attendee commented that everything Mach Tech said the Polaris could do, it did, while other visitors highlighted its performance and the professionalism of the launch event.

The Lindner Polaris Today

Since its original UK launch, the Polaris has developed into an established solution for one-step waste processing.

The current range includes the Polaris 1800, 2200 and 2800, providing different machine sizes for different applications and production requirements.

Modern Polaris machines continue to focus on the same fundamental requirements that drove the original development:

High throughput.
Consistent output.
Robust construction.
Low operating costs.
Reliable operation.
One-step processing.

The technology is now used in a variety of recovered fuel applications, including RDF and SRF production and alternative fuel preparation for industrial applications.

Why Choose Mach Tech for a Lindner Polaris?

Mach Tech Services is the sole UK and Ireland distributor for Lindner Recyclingtech, providing access to the complete Lindner range of industrial shredding technology.

Our role goes far beyond supplying the machine.

We can support customers through:

• Application and process consultation
• Machine selection
• System design
• Installation
• Commissioning
• Operator support
• Maintenance
• Repairs
• Precision engineering
• Welding and hardfacing
• Machine rebuilds
• Spare and wear parts

Mach Tech also holds more than £1 million worth of spare and wear parts in stock, helping customers minimise delays and get essential components dispatched quickly when they are needed.

For a high-throughput waste processing operation, the machine is only part of the solution.

Having the right engineering and after-sales support behind it can be just as important.

Is the Lindner Polaris Right for Your Operation?

Choosing between a one-step shredder and a traditional multi-stage shredding system depends on several factors.

These include:

• Type of waste
• Material composition
• Contamination levels
• Required throughput
• Required particle size
• Fuel specification
• Available space
• Existing plant equipment
• Operating costs
• Maintenance requirements

For some applications, the Polaris can provide an extremely effective one-step solution.

For others, a primary and secondary shredding system may provide greater flexibility.

The important thing is to assess the complete application rather than simply selecting a machine based on throughput.

Mach Tech can help assess your material, production requirements and existing process to determine the most appropriate shredding solution.

The Legacy of the Polaris Launch

The original UK launch of the Lindner Polaris marked an important point in the development of one-step waste shredding in the UK.

North West Recycling took a pioneering step by becoming the first UK company to install the technology, while Mach Tech Services and Lindner introduced the concept to a wider UK waste and recycling audience.

What started as a new approach to one-step shredding has since become an established solution for RDF, SRF and alternative fuel applications.

The principle remains the same today:

More efficient processing. Fewer stages. Consistent output. Reliable performance.

If you are considering a new waste shredder or looking to improve your existing RDF or SRF production process, the Lindner Polaris could provide the one-step solution your operation needs.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Lindner Polaris shredder?

The Lindner Polaris is a specialised single-shaft industrial shredder designed for one-step processing of untreated municipal, commercial and industrial waste. It is particularly suited to RDF, SRF and alternative fuel production.

What is a Polaris one-step shredder?

A one-step shredder is designed to complete the required size-reduction process in a single shredding stage rather than using separate primary and secondary shredders. The Polaris is designed specifically for this type of application.

What waste can the Lindner Polaris process?

The Polaris is designed for untreated municipal, commercial and industrial waste. Its robust construction and cutting system allow it to process demanding and potentially contaminated waste streams.

What output size can a Lindner Polaris produce?

The Polaris can produce mid-calorific fuel fractions in the region of 40-120 mm, depending on the machine configuration, screen selection and application.

Is the Polaris suitable for RDF production?

Yes. The Polaris is specifically suited to one-step processing for RDF production and has been used for applications involving refuse-derived fuel and alternative fuels.

Is the Polaris suitable for SRF production?

Yes. The Polaris can be used for one-step SRF production where the incoming material and required fuel specification are suitable for single-stage processing.

What is the difference between RDF and SRF?

RDF stands for Refuse Derived Fuel, while SRF stands for Solid Recovered Fuel. Both are waste-derived fuels used for energy recovery, but SRF is generally produced to more defined quality and specification requirements.

How much can a Polaris shred per hour?

The Polaris 2200 can achieve up to approximately 22 tonnes per hour, while the Polaris 2800 can achieve up to approximately 32 tonnes per hour, depending on material, configuration and required output.

What are the benefits of one-step shredding?

One-step shredding can reduce processing stages, material handling and plant complexity. It can also provide a more compact processing solution and potentially reduce operating and maintenance costs, depending on the application.

Can the Polaris handle foreign materials?

Yes. The Polaris incorporates protection systems including a torque-limiting safety clutch, while hydraulic access systems allow foreign materials to be removed from the cutting chamber.

What Polaris models are available?

The current Lindner Polaris range includes the Polaris 1800, Polaris 2200 and Polaris 2800.

Who supplies Lindner Polaris shredders in the UK?

Mach Tech Services is the sole UK and Ireland distributor for Lindner Recyclingtech shredders, providing machine sales, installation, servicing, engineering support and spare parts.

Can Mach Tech help decide whether I need a Polaris?

Yes. Mach Tech can assess your waste stream, required throughput, output specification and existing process to determine whether a Polaris one-step shredder or another Lindner shredding solution would be most appropriate.

How do I find out more about the Lindner Polaris?

To discuss the Lindner Polaris, one-step RDF or SRF processing, contact Mach Tech Services on 01706 838246 or email sales@machtechservices.com.