Thiess Services Middle East’s recycling facility at Al Dhafra. 1/1 Recycled aggregates from construction and demolition wastes will go towards the development of the Etihad Railway Network in Abu Dhabi, announced the Centre for Waste Management (CWM).
The venture will take place under a strategic agreement between the CWM and contractor Thiess Services Middle East (TSME) to manage a recycling facility for construction and demolition wastes.
TSME will supply at least 750,000 tons of recycled aggregates to Al Jaber Group for the completion of the railway project’s first phase. The contract will save 5 million kilometers in the transportation of construction materials by truck, reducing the project’s financial and environmental costs.
“The use of recycled aggregates brings important technical, environmental and economic benefits to our customers and to Abu Dhabi,” said TSME general manager Tim Harwood.
“This is the first order for the Etihad Rail project but we are receiving very positive feedback about our recycled product from many contractors in the region and we expect further significant orders in the near term.”
Production at the Al Dhafra recycling facility, the first of its kind in the Middle East, was temporarily ceased last year due to insufficient sale orders.
Renewed interest in using recycled material to construct major infrastructure projects, including highways and ports, has led the CWM to anticipate the restart of production in the near future.
The facility processes 98 per cent of inflowing raw construction and demolition waste (by weight) into high-quality recycled aggregates, at a rate of up to 600 tons per hour.
“Our requirements for recycled aggregates are as stringent as those for any other source of material,” said Najib Arnous, contracting director of Al Jaber Transport and General Contracting. “We are looking for very high quality, technical performance and environmental benefits. Our use of Thiess’ recycled aggregates over the last two years has demonstrated the benefits to us and we are pleased to be leading the way in this important area of Abu Dhabi’s sustainable development.”
The first sections of the Etihad Railway Network, where the recycled aggregates will be used, are being constructed between Shah and Ruwais. Phase I of the 1,200km railway is slated for completion in 2014.
Khaleej Times
29 May
