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Incinerator bottom ash : sorting, recovery and upgrading

Unlock the full potential of bottom ash from domestic waste incinerators

Incinerator bottom ash (IBA) is no longer just a residue stream. It is a complex material flow with real recovery value: ferrous and non-ferrous metals are recovered and fed back into the metallurgical value chain, while the mineral fraction can be upgraded for reuse in construction-related applications where legislation allows it. But bottom ash is also one of the most demanding materials in modern recycling. Moisture, sticky particles, fine fractions, corrosion and wear all put pressure on sorting efficiency, uptime and maintenance cost. A new treatment line or an upgrade of your existing installation? Lybover helps you recover more value from IBA with robust process solutions tailored to your material, your recovery goals and your local market conditions.

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Why invest in the modernisation of your IBA treatment plant?

Residual moisture reduces sorting efficiency

When ash is discharged wet from the incinerator, it enters the sorting process with high moisture levels. Sticky particles and attached fines make traditional screening less efficient and reduce the stability of downstream metal separation.

Improve separation performance
Fine fractions contain value, but need the right technology

A large share of IBA consists of fine particles. These fine fractions often contain valuable non-ferrous and heavy metals, but they require dedicated screening and separation technology to recover them efficiently.

Unlock additional metal recovery
Abrasion, corrosion and wear drive up operating cost

Bottom ash is a harsh material for mechanical installations. Abrasive mineral particles, corrosive conditions and unpredictable feed characteristics accelerate wear on screens, belts, chutes, separators and transfer points.

Reduce maintenance and extend uptime
Output quality is under growing pressure

Recovering metals is only part of the challenge. Plants are also expected to produce cleaner, more marketable fractions. At the same time, legislation and environmental scrutiny around mineral reuse continue to evolve, which increases the need for process control and quality assurance.

Support cleaner, more marketable outputs
The right process design drives long-term value

A robust plant starts with the right investment choices, but long-term profitability depends on uptime, wear life, maintenance effort and achievable recovery rates. In IBA processing, the real difference is made by process design, not by one standalone machine.

Drive long-term plant performance

bottom ash

Optimising IBA processing for performance and recovery

Our goal is simple: to make your IBA process work better, recover more metals – even in the finer grain sizes – and upgrade your non-ferrous fraction. How can you remain reliable under difficult operating conditions? We help you design or upgrade a bottom ash treatment solution that combines a robust concept with performance-focused engineering.

Reliable feeding and conveying are essential when handling abrasive, variable and moisture-sensitive material streams. A stable upstream flow improves the performance of every downstream step.

The right fractioning is the basis for efficient downstream recovery. IBA often contains a large share of fines, and those fractions can hold significant recovery value when screened and classified properly.

Magnetic separation remains a key step in recovering ferrous metals from bottom ash and in preparing the material for downstream treatment. Non-ferrous metals such as aluminium and copper can be recovered through eddy current and other advanced separation technologies.

Where needed, dedusting and air treatment contribute to cleaner plant operation, better housekeeping and improved working conditions.

Let’s review your process

Lybover is more than a supplier of machines. We provide a total approach, from preliminary study to maintenance after commissioning. Our goal is simple: to make your IBA process work better, recover more value and remain reliable under difficult operating conditions. We analyse your process in detail and look at what creates the most value: the right flow, the right separation steps, the right balance between recovery and purity, and the right wear-resistant design for harsh operating conditions.

  1. Process analysis
    We start with a detailed analysis of your current process, material behaviour and recovery targets.

  2. Testing and validation
    Where needed, we support the evaluation of process steps and technology choices so that design decisions are based on real material performance.

  3. Engineering
    We translate process insight into a robust plant concept with strong attention to flow, maintainability and wear resistance.

  4. Build and integration
    Whether it is a greenfield line or a targeted retrofit, the focus is on integrating proven technologies into a plant that works as one system.

  5. Installation
    Our engineers ensure the seamless installation of the necessary machinery and components. We work in close consultation with other contractors and with due regard for your schedule – and that’s no empty promise.

  6. Commmissioning
    Once the project has been completed, it’s time for the commissioning of your new system. Our specialists will handle the commissioning and the training of your operators. This way, you can start sorting more effectively without any worries.

  7. Service and maintenance
    Long-term performance depends on uptime. That is why serviceability, access and maintenance strategy are part of the solution from the start.

  8. Upgrade
    Need an urgent modification to an existing installation? Our fastlane is ready to handle the conversion with a quick turnaround.

Cases

Our specialists have already taken on these challenges.

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Want to unlock the full potential of your IBA plant?

Count on Lybover.