top of page
Writer's pictureaardar

Paarhammer, Australia: Sustainable waste management in the woodworking industry



Paarhammer is an established Australian manufacturer of European design windows and doors. It is likely that one of the key components are directly involved with the production process. In the case of Paarhammer the most important part is the waste management system which produces briquettes using sawdust and scraps of wood. "At this moment, it's probably the most crucial item in the industry," managing director Tony Paarhammer exudes pride.



01 The need to find European style windows and doors in Australia


This recycling method offers an incredible array of profitable and sustainable benefits and forms a fundamental part of the company's sustainability-focused manufacturing philosophy. The award-winning products of Paarhammer have been developed over a period of 30 years experience . They span from the most energy-efficient windows produced in Australia to windows that are bushfire-proof.



02 After emigrating from Austria in the year 1990, Tony and Edith Paarhammer began their company in a garage that produced high-end furniture as well as European type kitchens. However, a year later, their focus changed while they built their new home. Tony along with Edith were shocked as "we were unable to find European windows of the European style on the market in Australia."



Based on Tony's expertise in the field of window manufacturing the pair decided to take the matter in their own hands and the idea of producing European type windows for Australia was birthed. Since from the start, Paarhammer grew rapidly and to celebrate its 20th anniversary that year, the business was relocated into a purpose-built manufacturing facility.




The building of this facility was inspired by Paarhammer's idea for sustainable manufacturing. The factory is powered by a 100 kW solar photovoltaic system efficient light-management system that reduces the need for electricity, as well as water tanks that supply the factory with water.



03 Reduction in wood waste to 95 percent


But the most essential aspect to meet the sustainability targets will be the system for managing waste which comprises the WEIMA WL 4 shredder (installed in the beginning of 2000) as well as the WEIMA the TH 814 briquette presses (installed at the end of 2012). The system has helped "we reduced the amount of waste we produce by 95 percent," Tony said.




Tony picked WEIMA's machines in part due to WEIMA's regional presence within Australia through CEMAC technology.



"The local assistance was the most important," Tony said about his process of decision-making. In addition, WEIMA convinced with over 40 years of experience the production of presses and shredders in the woodworking industry.



Wood grinder made by WEIMA in Paarhammer within AustraliaWEIMA WL 4-shaft single-shaft shredder to handle wood or other waste


Since the beginning the system that includes a shredder and briquette presses has been operating effectively in the Paarhammer factory. Sawdust is accumulated separately through the ducts of each manufacturing machine, and then transferred to a hopper which it is pumped into the Briquette press.



04 The WL 4 shreds the larger wood off-cuts to smaller chips and makes them ideal for pressing.

This TH 814 briquette presses finally presses the sawdust as well as chip wood into cylinders 20 mm diameter Briquettes of 80mm diameter.



The WEIMA wooden grinder, containing waste wood PaarhammerCollected waste wood, waiting to be shredded


Briquetting press from WEIMA in Paarhammer located in AustraliaWEIMA the TH-814 briquette presse to shred wood waste as well as wood dust


05"What we might have needed to burn or pay for to go to landfill is now transformed into briquettes," Tony said.

Thanks to the briquette press, Paarhammer now has only of 1.5 millimeters of waste per week, and is producing four tonnes of briquettes over the same time, cutting down on landfill by 22,000 m3 annually. "The combination of this dust, shavings, and dust from the planer, and wood chips is the perfect mixture for making an extremely compact briquette" Tony said.



06 A "nice feature on the side"


Recycling off-cuts and sawdust is not just sustainable, but also profitable. In fact, Paarhammer utilizes 30 percent of the briquettes for heating parts of its factory with an hydronic heating system, the rest are sold to residents of the area.



07 A profit Tony described as an "nice thing to have" and money was not what he expected.

Thus, Tony exceeded his original estimation of the return on investment by two years which lowered the amount to less than five .



08 However, WEIMA's shredder as well as Briquette press aren't just profitable due to the fact that they generate revenue however, they also help save money.

They do this by reducing heating costs because of the utilization of Hydronic Heating System. The second reason is that the combination of shredder, dust extraction and briquette presses aids with cleaning up because it decreases the quantity of off-cuts or waste that are laying around in the manufacturing.




Paarhammer Briquette machine manufactured by WEIMA from GermanyEasy setting up and operating: WEIMA TH 814 briquetting machine


09 "All that is completely automatic"


Tony affirms: "We save probably one worker's salary per year by not having to deal with all the waste, and we had a very tidy and well-organized manufacturing facility."



Tony Paarhammer and CEMAC dealer Jonathan Tan inspecting wood briquettesHigh-quality wood briquettes by Paarhammer for sale


10 Multifunctional system that heats, cleans, and saves and also generates cash.


Due to the immense economic and environmental benefits, Tony highly recommends this waste management system as sawdust as well as off-cuts can be "basically an excellent resource". The WEIMA's wood-shredder and Briquette press aid Paarhammer utilize this resource in the multi-functional system that not only cleans, heats and helps save money, but also generates an additional income.

Recent Posts

See All

Comments


bottom of page