One of the UK's leading waste treatment and recycling companies has bought two new high specification JCB machines to handle waste at its revolutionary EcoParc facility in the North East.

Purchased by Newle-based Graphite Resources Limited, the 456ZX wheeled loading shovel and JCB JS220LC tracked excavator complete with new JCB SG Selector Grab attachment were officially handed over to the company at the RWM Exhibition before being put to work at its new £50 million Derwenthaugh EcoParc on the banks of the River Tyne.

The site pioneers a new form of waste management - steam autoclaving technology - as an effective solution for the safe treatment of wastes. This uses pressurised rotating vessels which, through a combination of steam, pressure and agitation, results in the organic fraction of the waste being separated and broken down.

The great benefit of Graphite Resources' steam autoclaving system is the generation of usable products at the end of the process. One of the outputs, CellMatt® fibre, counts towards recovery targets and has many potential uses such as: bio-fuel, conversion to bio-gas, use as fuel in conventional and biomass power stations, as a feedstock in fuel cell production, use in the construction industry to make bricks and insulation boards, or in soil manufacture.

A proven process - already widely used to sterilise medical waste and equipment - steam autoclaving enables mixed household and commercial waste to be recycled more easily and provides effective results on a large scale with a minimum of 80 per cent diversion of waste from landfill. This is significantly higher than the majority of competing mechanical and biological treatment processes.

Fully operational in January 2010, Derwenthaugh EcoParc will be capable of treating 320,000 tonnes of municipal solid, industrial and commercial wastes per year along with 60,000 tonnes of light wastes (kerbside, commercial and industrial) and 20,000 tonnes of green and skip wastes per year.

Michael Thompson, Chief Executive of Graphite Resources, said: "People are now aware of the need to use waste; it is much too valuable a resource to put into landfill or to incinerate. Graphite's aim was to provide a clean, modern facility using the best materials and best technologies available now, and for the foreseeable future. That is what we have achieved at Derwenthaugh EcoParc and industry-leading equipment like the machines from JCB helps us to optimise productivity, efficiency and safety on the site."

James Richardson, JCB's General Manager for Waste, Recycling & Demolition, said: "The advanced specifications of these two models demonstrates the way JCB can tailor its machines to the exact and demanding needs of customers within the waste and recycling sector, with a range of options suited to specific applications. We are delighted to be working in partnership with such an innovative and impressive organisation as Graphite Resources as they continue their exciting development at Derwenthaugh."

The JCB models will shortly be put to work at the facility - handling untreated waste in the reception hall and then handling the treated and separated materials which have been through the steam autoclaving process.

The JS220LC features low flow hydraulics, front and rear lights, a fire extinguisher, a wide core radiator a Turbo II pre-cleaner and an air-conditioned cab as standard. Purpose built for its intended role, the Graphite Resources' model has also been specified with a hydraulically raised cab for greater visibility and a new JCB SG selector grab. Given the testing working environment it also features a reverse fan, P3 cab air-intake filter, a front and rear camera system, seat belt warning system, a chevron painted counterweight and a lift watch system to ensure maximum on-site safety.

The 456ZX Wastemaster model boasts the traditional JCB wheeled loading shovel qualities of high breakout forces, robust construction, sophisticated operation and a large field of vision along with excellent comfort, performance and serviceability. As part of the standard JCB Wastemaster package the model features: air-conditioning; belly, brake-pipe and cab-screen guards; a carbon air filter; a smart reverse alarm and a wide core radiator.

Bespoke to this application, the JCB 456ZX has also been fitted with a larger 4.5m³ high tip top grab bucket with wear edge, an additional 800kg counterweight to give increased stability when handling extensive loads, rear painted chevrons, SG Revolution tyres, a load log 800i RDS weigh loader system, a camera & rear radar system and a green warning beacon with electronic lap.