Recycling equipment specialist Wendt has completed the installation of a new 6,000-horsepower shredding plant—equipped with a full emissions control system—at PNW Metal Recycling in Longview, Washington. The company says the facility is among the most advanced and environmentally responsible shredding operations in North America, setting “a new benchmark for safety, sustainability, and operational efficiency.”
PNW Metal Recycling processes a wide range of ferrous and non-ferrous materials across seven locations in Washington and Oregon. A multi-family, multi-generation business with origins in the 1960s, the company emphasizes modern technology, environmental stewardship and best-practice operations.
Upgrading capacity
PNW previously operated a smaller shredder that limited output and was poorly positioned for bulk shipping. Seeking higher efficiency, expanded capacity and full compliance with strict regional emissions rules, the company partnered with Wendt to develop a system that addressed its operational and regulatory needs.
Advanced emissions control
The result is a fully integrated shredding operation built for reliability and sustainability. The new setup includes a fully enclosed Wendt Model 106 heavy shredder, powered by a 6,000 hp motor with a variable-frequency drive. It is paired with an advanced emissions control system that filters and monitors all shredder exhaust. “Environmental stewardship and regulations within our region led us to acquire specific control equipment for the larger shredder,” explained PNW vice-president Sean Daoud.
Real-time performance monitoring
The plant also features a low-copper downstream system to enhance product quality, along with a “poker picker” to remove unshreddable materials. It incorporates Wendt’s new operating platform, Wendtos, which provides real-time data on production, performance and maintenance.
Wendt’s partnership with PNW involved several years of planning, engineering and design to ensure the final installation met expectations for innovation and compliance. “This investment will significantly increase our production capacity, deliver a low-copper shred and improve operational efficiency—opening new opportunities to diversify our markets,” Daoud said.
