Irish materials handling and waste recovery systems firm Turmec has been awarded the €6.2m contract to supply sorting machinery to Dunedin City Council in New Zealand.
Turmec and its Australian partner, The Environmental Group Ltd, have secured the NZ$11.9m contract to supply machinery to process materials from kerbside collection yellow-lidded mixed recycling bins.
The equipment is expected to form the backbone of a new materials recycling facility (MRF) at the Green Island Resource Recovery Park, at the City of Dunedin on the east coast of New Zealand’s South Island, a major redevelopment of which is scheduled to begin later this year.
“This investment in state-of-the-art sorting technology will not only optimise recycling efficiency but also support DCC’s long-term vision of reducing landfill reliance and building local circular economy capability," said Geoff Bailey, CEO of Turmec.
“With over five decades of experience and innovation in recycling engineering, Turmec is committed to delivering sustainable, future-proof solutions that reduce carbon impact and deliver real economic value for communities like Dunedin.”
Designed by Turmec, the MRF will feature advanced optical sorters that efficiently separate paper, cardboard, metals, and rigid plastics (types 1, 2, and 5) from the mixed recycling stream.
Turmec and The Environmental Group will also deliver all associated infrastructure for power supply and operator safety setting a new benchmark for modern, automated waste recovery across the region.
Cllr Jim O'Malley of Dunedin City Council said the council collects about 5,000 tonnes of mixed recycling material from the kerbside every year, and that the Turmec plant can accept up to 8,000 tonnes per year.
"This will allow us to scale up and provide the service to neighbouring regions if the possibility arises in future," he added.
"Procurement of this sorting machinery is another key step on the road to providing local sustainability solutions. It is essential to achieve optimal process and operational efficiency for plant machinery, as well as overall whole-of-life value for money."
Jason Dixon, CEO of the Environmental Group, said: "Our partnership with Turmec and Dunedin City Council highlights how strategic investment in advanced recycling infrastructure is vital to keeping New Zealand clean and resilient in the face of growing environmental challenges.
“We’re excited to contribute to a solution that delivers environmental, economic, and social benefits, and we look forward to continuing our work across Australasia to support communities in building a more sustainable future.”
The DCC’s 9 year plan includes $78m for the Green Island Resource Recovery Park redevelopment as a whole.
As well as the new MRF, there will be a new composting facility for green-lidded bin contents, upgraded bunkers for recyclable glass sorting and storage, an upgraded transfer station, roads and services to new buildings, a kerbside collections truck park and office and a repositioned green/garden waste drop off area.
Redevelopment construction is likely to be complete by the end of 2029.
Turmec employs about 100 people and operates a 66,000 sq. ft. manufacturing facility in the Meath Gaeltacht.
Established in 1972, the company specialises in the end-to-end design and building of complex waste separation and processing systems, which are critical for large-scale, efficient waste processing and recycling plants.
The company reported turnover of €22.5m in 2024, down from €24.2m in 2023, with EBITDA rising €1.2m year-on-year to €2.3m. Profit after tax similarly rose from €539,700 to €1.8m.
Photo: Geoff Bailey. (Pic: Supplied)
