EDGE Innovate Recycling Equipment powers SIRC’s CDW transformation

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Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 outlines a bold roadmap for economic diversification, environmental responsibility, and a dramatic reduction in landfill dependency. At the core of this strategy is the transition towards a circular economy, with a national target to divert 60% of CDW from landfills by 2035.

EDGE Innovate is proud to play a key role in this transformation. Our newly commissioned static waste processing facility for the Saudi Investment Recycling Company (SIRC)—operated by its subsidiary AKAM—demonstrates how world-class technology can drive recovery, reuse, and recycling of valuable resources.

Commissioned in August 2024, the plant processes up to 50 tonnes per hour (TPH) of CDW, removing 6 TPH of contaminants such as wood, gypsum, plastics, and metals. This enables the recovery of clean stone, wood, and ferrous metals, feeding them back into the local supply chain and keeping reusable resources out of landfill.

EDGE was selected for this project based on our proven expertise and track record in the region, including the development of Saudi Arabia’s first construction waste recycling facility in Al Khair, Riyadh. Commissioned in 2021, that flagship site processes more than 600 TPH and consistently achieves a recycling rate of over 90%.

This latest project builds on that foundation with solutions designed specifically for the region—prioritising durability, reliability, and future scalability.

For AKAM, the new facility marks an important strategic milestone. The company was recently awarded a Guinness World Record for receiving and processing more than 3 million tonnes of CDW, demonstrating the significant impact of its work. A project EDGE Innovate was also involved. With this new plant, AKAM is further strengthening its long-term commitment to landfill diversion and sustainable waste management in line with Vision 2030.

Project objectives and Waste equipment supplied

The main objective of the project was to deliver a highly efficient sorting solution—combining both automated and manual processes—to meet Saudi Arabia’s CDW recycling needs. The plant was engineered to handle feed material ranging between 50mm and 350mm in size, with a throughput capacity of 50TPH.

To achieve this, EDGE Innovate supplied industry-leading equipment engineered for harsh environments and optimised for energy efficiency. This included a fully enclosed, three-bay EDGE MPS48 Modular Picking Station and a fully electric low-level feed hopper.

The MPS48 is at the heart of the facility. Renowned globally as one of the most robust and versatile picking stations, it combines strength, scalability, and operator comfort. With a modular bay design, the station can be easily expanded as demand grows. The MPS48 also provides climate-controlled working conditions and ergonomically designed workstations, reducing operator fatigue and improving safety. Integrated overband magnets remove ferrous materials upstream—protecting equipment further down the line and lowering maintenance costs.

Steven Conway, EDGE Innovate Territory Distributor Manager 

Steven Conway, EDGE Innovate’s Territory Sales Manager, explained how our team adapted equipment to the region’s needs: “For this project, EDGE modified AKAM’s existing designs for both the MPS48 and LTS feeder to ensure reliable operation in extreme heat and harsh environmental conditions.”

Initially configured to run on generators due to the site’s remote location, the plant has also been future-proofed to switch easily to mains electric as infrastructure develops. This ensures long-term alignment with AKAM’s drive toward greener, more sustainable operations.

A key addition to the system is EDGE’s AirMax air separation unit, which removes lightweight fractions at the entry point of the sorting line. This improves material segregation quality and maximises the value of recovered outputs.

For AKAM, the plant will play a central role in reducing carbon emissions, conserving resources, eliminating visual pollution, and cutting waste disposal costs. Economically, it will create jobs, strengthen the recycled materials market, and offer cost-effective alternatives to virgin materials for the construction industry.

Exemplifying operational excellence

SIRC, fully owned by the Public Investment Fund, is driving Saudi Arabia’s shift to a circular economy. Through its operating arm AKAM Recycling, SIRC processed 16 million tonnes of CDW in 2022 alone. AKAM’s projects include the “Green Cement Block Industry Initiative,” which reuses recycled concrete in cement block manufacturing—reducing demand for virgin aggregates and preventing illegal dumping.

AKAM’s rapid growth highlights its commitment to sustainability, with more than SAR 160 million invested in recycling infrastructure and a 15-fold increase in revenue between 2021 and 2022. With headquarters in Riyadh and a daily fleet of more than 3,600 trucks, AKAM exemplifies operational excellence at scale.

A partnership driving sustainability

The delivery of this new facility strengthens EDGE Innovate’s partnership with SIRC and AKAM, built on more than 30 years of global recycling expertise and proven performance in diverse waste streams. Our relationship is based on trust, collaboration, and the ability to tailor solutions to the unique requirements of the Middle East.

According to the AKAM team: “EDGE Innovate’s technology enhances our operational efficiency by allowing greater recovery of reusable materials and minimising waste. Their systems reduce manual handling, optimise energy consumption, and improve output quality—directly supporting our commitment to sustainable and low-emission recycling practices.”

AKAM also credited EDGE’s equipment with improving material flow, recovery rates, and contamination levels—while offering flexibility, ease of maintenance, and operational reliability. “We take pride in working with a technology partner like EDGE Innovate. Their expertise and adaptability support our long-term vision of transforming Saudi Arabia’s waste management sector—helping us move toward a cleaner, more resilient, and resource-efficient future.”

Supporting the Kingdom’s circular economy

Saudi Arabia’s CDW recycling sector is rapidly evolving with tighter permitting, stricter landfill penalties, and new reporting obligations. EDGE Innovate’s latest installation supports this transformation with high-efficiency, scalable technology designed for the most demanding environments.

Commenting on the opportunity ahead, Steven Conway added: “As companies segregate both legacy and new waste, additional processing of individual waste streams will be required to create sellable products. We look forward to continuing to support stakeholders throughout the Middle East as they work towards a greener, more sustainable future.”

Through this latest project, EDGE Innovate continues to prove its position as a global leader in waste processing technology—delivering reliable, future-ready solutions that accelerate the shift to a circular economy and support national sustainability goals.

ABOUT EDGE INNOVATE

EDGE Innovate develops, manufacturers and markets sophisticated technologies for shredding, stacking, screening and sorting of primary and secondary raw materials in production processes and recycling. Our Material handling and recycling range is made up of reliable, durable and cost saving products with a wide range of mobile stockpilers, tracked stackers, tracked and mobile feeders, trommels, slow-speed waste shredders, picking stations, material classifiers, roll-sizers and truck off-loaders. Our product range allows our customers; to shred, screen, separate, stockpile and size a vast array of materials

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