Sustainable soil recycling: Bauer Resources invests in new screening plants

• Bauer Resources relies on new screening plants to treat excavated soil
• SBR4 screening plants are particularly impressive thanks to robust technology and easy handling
• Soil treatment centers operated by Bauer Resources advance the circular economy and work continuously to expand recycling capacities

Schrobenhausen, Germany – Construction debris, concrete, bricks: These materials are the usual candidates when it comes to recycling in the construction industry. But what happens to excavated soil? Even though this is one of the largest waste flows in the construction industry in terms of volume, it is frequently overlooked and ends up unused in pits of landfills. Yet soil is far more than just waste. Bauer Resources has recognized this and is investing in new screening plants that can treat the soil for resource-efficient reuse. This transforms what was once considered waste into a valuable construction material that can be sustainably returned to the cycle.

Robust technology, easy handling

Some of the series SBR4 recycling screens for construction material from EAG Einfach Aufbereiten GmbH have already been in operation for years at Bauer soil treatment centers in Regensburg, Duisburg and Hamburg, and they offer numerous advantages. First and foremost, they deliver flexibility and durability. The screening technology can be easily adapted to different materials and even handles challenging substances without a problem. “The materials we handle are often coarse and at the same time are heavily contaminated with impurities. This is exactly where the SBR4 excels, allowing us to reliably process these complex materials,” explains Head of Disposal Ulrich Morgenstern from the Bauer Umwelt Division of BAUER Resources GmbH. Another major benefit of the plants is how easy they are to use: Automatic On/Off control ensures smooth operation, while the easily accessible screen deck facilitates maintenance and cleaning without additional expenditure. Furthermore, operation requires minimal space, making it especially beneficial in compact work environments. “Particularly at our centers in Duisburg and Regensburg, where space is limited, the SBR4 gives us a compact solution,” emphasizes Ulrich Morgenstern. Last but not least, the electrically powered screening system is especially eco-friendly.

More recycling, less landfill disposal

So how are screening plants actually used in practice? At the soil treatment centers in Duisburg and Regensburg, they are used for targeted fractionation of mineral construction waste. “Highly contaminated material is separated from less contaminated material, so that many substances can be disposed of directly on site,” continues the Head of Disposal. This reduces the quantity of waste that needs to be transported to expensive and restricted DK1 (landfill class 1) and DK2 (landfill class 2) landfills. Shorter transport routes also mean lower CO₂ emissions and reduced costs – clearly benefiting both environment and the economy. Bauer Resources’ soil treatment center in Hamburg is already a step ahead of the other locations. The circular economy is embraced consistently here by not only sorting materials but also by treating them to produce mineral substitute construction materials. The prepared soil is used, for example, to fill in pipeline routes or is introduced as a protective layer for underground electrical cables. This reduces the need for new raw materials and sustainable material flow management becomes a lived reality.

Rethink, treat, reuse

With its soil treatment centers, Bauer Resources reintroduces roughly 15% of the excavated soils back into material flows. That means: Circular economy is no longer just a vision for the future – it’s already a reality. But looking forward, some things are clear: “In order to handle the enormous volume of material, some urgent rethinking is necessary. Not just for us, but for the entire construction industry,” emphasizes Ulrich Morgenstern. The soil treatment center in Hamburg, in particular, holds great potential for further expanding construction material recycling. At other locations as well, Bauer Resources has taken the first step in this direction by purchasing these new plants. The goal: Treating even more material and making it available for reuse. With this approach, Bauer Resources is sending a strong message and setting an excellent example.