Nordic countries are globally recognised as leaders in sustainability, with some of the most advanced waste management and recycling systems in the world. However, meeting ever-evolving environmental targets, improving efficiency, and tackling the challenges of cost, automation, and innovation require continuous technological advancements.
“The Nordic markets demand solutions that are not only technologically advanced but also aligned with their strong environmental ethos,” Jürgen Berger, Head of International Sales at Stadler Anlagenbau. “With a strong track record in the region, we understand the specific needs of our customers and provide high-quality, future-proof solutions that help them maximise material recovery, improve operational performance, meet ambitious recycling targets, and deliver long-term value.”
Nordic countries have set high environmental goals, requiring waste management solutions that prioritise resource efficiency, carbon neutrality, and circular economy principles.
An example of Stadler’s success is the Materials Recovery Facility (MRF) in Finland, developed in collaboration with Remeo Oy. This facility, located in the Greater Helsinki Region, incorporates AI technology, advanced processes, and a high level of automation to recover materials from both Commercial & Industrial (C&I) and Construction & Demolition (C&D) waste. With an annual capacity of up to 180,000 tonnes, it supports Helsinki’s recycling needs and contributes to Finland’s recycling rate target of 70%.
While Nordic countries share a common sustainability ethos, each market presents distinct challenges, different regulatory frameworks and cultural expectations.
In Denmark, Stadler partnered with Dansk Retursystem to create an automated high-capacity plant to process PET bottles and aluminium cans collected through the country’s advanced deposit return system. The high level of automation and flexibility of this plant ensures extremely efficient recycling of cans and bottles and is a shining example of a successful private-public collaboration for a circular economy.
In Norway, which has a specific focus on reducing plastic waste and encouraging advanced recycling techniques, Stadler’s collaboration on the ROAF MSW sorting plant near Oslo has set a new standard for municipal waste management. This fully automated facility sorts mixed household waste, recovering plastics and biowaste using advanced optical sorting technology. With long-term goals of achieving a 70% recycling rate by 2030, the facility has already improved recycling rates significantly.
In December 2024, Stadler was awarded a contract by IVAR IKS to design and install a new MSW sorting plant in Stavanger, further enhancing Norway’s recycling capabilities. This upcoming facility, which will have a processing capacity of up to 40 tons of waste per hour, is projected to be completed by spring 2027.
Stadler’s work with Veolia PET Norge AS in Fetsund is another example of its expertise in plastic recycling. The high-performance sorting system for PET beverage bottles from take-back systems integrates screening and advanced sorting technologies, ensuring high purity and efficiency, meeting Norway’s high standards for efficiency and sustainability.
Stadler delivered the world’s first fully automated textile sorting plant in Malmö, addressing a major gap in textile recycling. The facility uses near-infrared (NIR) technology to separate different textile fibres, enabling efficient recycling and supporting the transition to a circular economy in the fashion and textile industries.
