Valdeau’Mat recycling plant targets 400,000 tonnes of C&D waste

The facility is set to process up to 400,000 tonnes of material annually, exceeding its initial estimate of 320,000 tonnes. (PHOTO: CDE)

The facility is projected to process up to 400,000 tonnes of material annually, exceeding its initial estimate of 320,000 tonnes.

The plant uses wet processing technology to recycle C&D waste, a departure from the dry methods commonly used in the Lille region, which typically result in lower-quality materials for secondary uses or landfill disposal.

According to the company, this facility allows for the production of reusable materials, including three aggregate fractions (4-8mm, 8-20mm, and 20-80mm) and two sands (0-2mm and 0-4mm).

Valdeau’Mat co-founder Benjamin Vandeginste said the company’s decision to invest in the CDE solution reflects its long-term objectives. “The creation of Valdeau’Mat is the fruit of our shared vision of a sustainable future. Investing in CDE technologies is a decisive step forward for the sector and the region,” he said.

The plant features a range of CDE technologies, including the R4500 primary system, AggMax logwasher, EvoWash sand wash system, and AquaCycle thickener, which allows the recovery and reuse of up to 95% of process water. It is designed to handle fine, clay-bound, and silty materials found in the region.

Valdeau’Mat’s CDE recycling plant is the first of its kind in the Lille region. (PHOTO: CDE)

CDE Business Development Manager Thibault Vandecaveye said the plant’s design considered future needs. When designing the plant, the company ensured that it is ready to incorporate additional washing and classification systems to increase capacity and to produce more fractions at higher specifications.

Thibault said: “We created a solution that allows Valdeau’Mat to process up to 800,000 tonnes per year in the future. It is built to handle challenging materials and meet evolving demands.”

The plant’s output materials are primarily used in Valdeau’Mat’s public works projects, with the surplus already being sold to local construction firms.

The recycler’s Co-founder Steeve Vandeginste said: “We’re the first to be able to offer an alternative treatment for construction waste in the Lille European Metropolis, and in doing so we’re reducing not just our own ecological footprint, but in the local construction market too.

The facility is housed within a building equipped with solar panels and an underground water reservoir, designed to reduce environmental impact. (PHOTO: CDE)

He added: “We’re already looking at how we can do more with this plant and how we can evolve to better serve the local market.”

The facility is housed within a building equipped with solar panels and an underground water reservoir, designed to reduce environmental impact and improve efficiency during adverse weather conditions. It also incorporates monitoring technologies to help schedule maintenance and minimise downtime.