Saudi Vision 2030 outlines a strategic path towards economic diversification, environmental sustainability, and a significant reduction in landfill dependency. By enabling the transition towards a circular economy, it aims to achieve resource efficiency, material reuse, and waste minimization. One of the key national objectives supporting this transition is the target to divert 60% of construction and demolition waste (CDW) from landfills by 2035. 

Supporting this ambition is EDGE Innovate, a global leader in recycling and material handling solutions, which has successfully delivered and commissioned a new static waste processing plant for the Saudi Investment Recycling Company (SIRC). The facility is operated by AKAM Recycling Company, a subsidiary of SIRC, and plays a critical role in advancing the Kingdom’s circular economy goals.

Project Overview

Commissioned in August 2024, the new facility is a highly efficient plant capable of processing 50 tonnes per hour (TPH) of CDW, while removing up to 6 TPH of contaminants such as wood, gypsum, plastics, and metals. This ensures the recovery and reuse of valuable materials including clean stone, wood, and ferrous metals, contributing to the circular economy by diverting recyclable materials from landfill and reintroducing them into the local supply chain.

EDGE Innovate was selected for its proven expertise and previous successful installations in the region, including its role in the development of Saudi Arabia’s first construction waste recycling facility in Al Khair, Riyadh. That landmark facility, commissioned in 2021, continues to process over 600TPH and targets a recycling rate of over 90%. 

This latest project builds on that foundation, prioritizing region-specific design, rugged reliability, and future scalability.

For AKAM, this facility marks a strategic milestone in its long-term commitment to sustainable waste management and landfill diversion. It was awarded a Guinness World Record for receiving and processing over 3 million tons of construction and demolition waste—demonstrating its significant impact. The new facility expands its capacity to scale these efforts in line with the circular economy and environmental targets under Vision 2030. 

Project Objectives and Equipment Supplied

The core objective of this latest project was to provide a highly efficient manual and automated sorting solution tailored to the Saudi Arabian market’s CDW recycling needs. Key to the design was ensuring the plant could manage feed material ranging from 50–350mm in size, delivering a throughput of 50TPH.

This was achieved through the integration of EDGE’s industry-leading equipment, designed to operate in harsh environments while offering energy-efficient performance.

Equipment supplied by EDGE Innovate includes a fully enclosed, three-bay Modular Picking Station (MPS48) and a low-level feed hopper—both fully electrically powered.

At the heart of the plant is the EDGE MPS48, widely regarded as one of the most robust, durable, and user-friendly picking stations on the market. Designed with scalability in mind, its modular bay configuration allows for future expansion as production demands grow.

The MPS48 is ergonomically designed to give operators the widest range of comfortable movement, ensuring proper posture and reducing fatigue. Air conditioning (both hot and cold) creates a safe and productive working environment. Elevated work platforms eliminate time-consuming floor picking, while integrated overband magnets remove ferrous contamination upstream—protecting downstream components and reducing maintenance costs.

Steven Conway, Territory Sales Manager at EDGE Innovate, says his company’s key strength lies in its ability to deliver flexible, tailored recycling solutions. “For this project, Edge modified AKAM’s existing designs for both the MPS48  and LTS feeder to ensure reliable operation in the region’s harsh environmental conditions and extreme heat,” he adds. 

The equipment was initially configured to run on generators due to the site's remote location but is future-proofed for a switch to electric power as infrastructure develops—supporting AKAM’s shift toward greener operations. 

A key addition to the plant is EDGE’s new AirMax system, which removes light materials from CDW at the sorting line entrance, improving segregation quality and enhancing the value of recycled outputs.

For the AKAM team, the goal is to reduce carbon emissions, conserve natural resources, and eliminate visual pollution. And from an economic perspective, it aims to create new job opportunities, reduce waste disposal costs, and strengthen the recycled materials market—positioning it as a reliable and cost-effective alternative for the construction industry. 

Exemplifying operational excellence

SIRC, fully owned by the Public Investment Fund, is leading Saudi Arabia’s charge toward a circular economy. Through its investment arm, AKAM Recycling Company, SIRC processed 16 million tonnes of CDW waste in 2022 alone. AKAM’s efforts include the “Green Cement Block Industry Initiative,” which recycles concrete waste for reuse in cement block manufacturing, reducing dependency on virgin materials and limiting illegal dumping.

The company is committed to scaling sustainable waste operations, with more than SAR 160 million already invested in expanding recycling infrastructure. With headquarters in Riyadh and operations across multiple locations, AKAM exemplifies operational excellence—managing a fleet of over 3,600 trucks per day and achieving a 15-fold increase in revenue between 2021 and 2022. 

A Partnership Driving Sustainability

This project strengthens the ongoing collaboration between EDGE Innovate and SIRC, further solidifying EDGE's position as a trusted partner in the Kingdom’s waste management transformation.

Conway notes that the collaboration has strengthened in recent years, largely due to the trust built on EDGE’s 30+ years of global recycling experience. “EDGE has successfully delivered solutions for processing CDW and other waste streams across various regions and has consistently demonstrated openness and flexibility—particularly in adapting to the unique needs of the Middle East,” he adds. 

The company's equipment has already been integral to major initiatives, including the flagship 1.3 million m² CDW processing facility in Al Khair, Riyadh, which was launched in 2021 with SIRC and processes over 600TPH with a goal to recycle 25 million tonnes of debris by 2035.

Conway credits the strong collaboration with SIRC to EDGE’s frequent site visits, detailed waste composition analyses, and ongoing, transparent communication.  

Since the first AKAM installations in 2020, EDGE has shown unwavering commitment to supporting its operations, he highlights. Naturally, this dedication has reinforced AKAM’s confidence in EDGE. According to the team, “EDGE Innovate’s technology enhances our operational efficiency by allowing greater recovery of reusable materials and minimizing waste. Their systems reduce manual  handling, optimize energy consumption, and improve output quality—directly supporting  our commitment to sustainable and low-emission recycling practices.”

“EDGE equipment has significantly improved material flow and increased recovery rates of  recyclable materials. It has also helped reduce contamination levels in output.  Operationally, the equipment offers flexibility, easy maintenance, and ergonomic design— minimizing downtime and improving daily operational performance,” the team points out.

“We take pride in working with a technology partner like EDGE Innovate. Their expertise and adaptability support our long-term vision of transforming Saudi Arabia’s waste management sector—helping us move toward a cleaner, more resilient, and resource-efficient future,” the statement reads. 

Supporting Saudi Vision 2030

Saudi Arabia’s construction and demolition recycling market is undergoing rapid growth and professionalization, through tighter permitting and reporting requirements, along with financial penalties for landfill usage. 

The EDGE Innovate plant supports this transformation by offering high-efficiency, scalable technology designed for demanding applications—ensuring contractors and municipalities can meet their diversion obligations and sustainability commitments.

With this latest successful installation, EDGE Innovate continues to demonstrate its capabilities in designing, manufacturing, and delivering world-class waste processing solutions.  

Conway sees continued opportunities within the market as waste management practices are continuing to develop. “As companies segregate both the legacy and new waste, further processing of the individual waste streams may be required to produce sellable products as they push towards developing a circular economy. We look forward to continuing to support many of the key stakeholders within the waste management sector throughout the Middle East region as they strive for a greener and more sustainable future,” he asserts. 

"EDGE has successfully delivered solutions for processing CDW and other waste streams across various regions and has consistently demonstrated openness and flexibility— particularly in adapting to the unique needs of the Middle East"