IBA Processing and Recycling

At our dedicated facilities, we manage the full cycle of incinerator bottom ash processing, beginning with controlled maturation and continuing through screening, metal recovery, and aggregate grading. During this IBA recycling process, both ferrous and non-ferrous metals are separated and returned to recycling streams. At the same time, the mineral fraction is converted into an IBA aggregate suitable for construction use.

If you’re looking for reliable IBA processing and compliant incinerator bottom ash processing, contact us to discuss your requirements. We can help you arrange professional and industry-focused IBA collection and recycling services.

Key Areas of Focus

Our IBA processing operations concentrate on several operational stages that allow us to responsibly manage the IBA and convert it into material suitable for construction and infrastructure projects. Each stage supports efficient processing of incinerator bottom ash while maintaining consistent material quality.

Collection and Logistics: We deliver coordinated transport, collecting bottom ash from energy-from-waste plants and delivering it to dedicated processing facilities. Our reliable logistics help maintain continuous handling of IBS generated during plant operations.

Material Stabilisation: Before further treatment, incineration bottom ash undergoes a maturation period. This stage supports the material's stability and prepares IBA for subsequent processing and separation.

Meta Recovery Operations: During the incineration of bottom ash recycling, we use specialised separation technologies to recover ferrous and non-ferrous metals from IBA, returning these materials to established recycling streams.

Aggregate Production: The remaining mineral fraction from IBA processing is graded and processed to produce IBA aggregate, which can be used in a range of construction and civil engineering applications.

Environmental and Regulatory Compliance

Operations involving incinerator bottom ash processing are subject to strict environmental and regulatory controls in the region. Storefield Aggregates conducts its IBA recycling activities in accordance with these requirements to ensure safe material handling and responsible reuse.

Circular Economy Contribution: Processing incinerator bottom ash is crucial for resource recovery. Material generated during waste-to-energy incineration can be diverted from landfill through structured IBA processing and recycling, allowing metals to be recovered and mineral material to be reused within construction.

Energy-from-waste facilities typically generate bottom ash during waste incineration. By supporting responsible incinerator bottom ash recycling, we help ensure these materials remain part of productive supply chains and don’t become waste.

RPS 247 Compliance: In England, the use of unbound IBS aggregate is governed by the Environmental Agency’s Regulatory Position Statement (RPS) 247, which outlines the conditions under which IBAA can be used safely in construction activities. This framework ensures that incinerator bottom ash processing and recycling support both environmental protection and infrastructure development.

At Storefield Aggregates, we operate within this framework to ensure that IBA materials are processed and supplied in a manner consistent with national environmental standards.

Our Core IBA Processing Operations

At Storefield Aggregates, our incinerator bottom ash processing follows a carefully managed sequence designed to stabilise the material, recover valuable metals, and produce construction-grade aggregates. Our sequences support the safe handling of bottom ash from waste incineration and effectively prepare the material for reuse in construction applications.

IBA Offtake
We provide consistent IBA offtake service for waste-to-energy plants. Using our own fleet of specialist vehicles, we collect incinerator bottom ash directly from incineration facilities throughout the year. By keeping on top of our collection schedule, we support EfW operators in maintaining stable operations while efficiently and safely transporting IBA to processing facilities.

Conditioning and Maturation
Fresh incinerator bottom ash requires a period of stabilisation before it can be processed further. During this stage, we’ll stockpile the material under controlled conditions to allow for maturation, a natural chemical process that reduces leaching potential and improves the stability of the mineral fraction.

Proper maturation is an important step in responsible IBA recycling, as it prepares the material for screening and grading.

Metal Recovery
Once the IBA has matured, it enters the separation stage. We use advanced screening systems, magnets, and eddy-current separators to recover both ferrous and non-ferrous metals from ash. These recovered metals are returned to established recycling markets, so they’re not lost during the incinerator bottom ash recycling process.

Aggregate Processing and Grading
After metal recovery, we’ll further process the remaining mineral material to produce IBA aggregate (IBAA). The material is screened, crushed, and graded to produce aggregates suitable for construction and engineering uses.

We produce these recycled aggregates in accordance with recognised UK construction standards, including the Specification for Highway Works Series 600 and Series 800, enabling their use in a variety of infrastructure applications.

This entire process offers an efficient and environmentally responsible means of converting bottom ash from waste incineration into construction materials.

IBA Processing