Cadman Cranes Supports Construction of Sustainable Wash Plant for Sun Aggregates
In the UK, the construction, demolition and excavation (CD&E) sectors generate over 61 million tonnes of waste annually, making it the largest waste-producing industry in the country. (Source: UK Government, Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs – DEFRA)
Facilities like Sun Aggregates’ plant are essential for recovering valuable materials and reducing pressure on landfill capacity.
Delivering Reliable Crane Support
Work began on site in August 2024, with Cadman Cranes providing lifting support throughout the six-month construction phase. Our involvement spanned multiple stages of the plant’s assembly, adapting to the site’s needs as construction progressed.
General lifting operations were completed using a combination of cranes from our own fleet, including the Liebherr LTM 1030-2.1 and LTM 1060-3.1. For the most complex phase — the installation of a 58-tonne filter press — we deployed a Liebherr LTM 1450-8.1, cross-hired through Emerson Crane Hire, to ensure the required reach and lifting capacity could be achieved within the spatial limits of the site.
Complex Final Lift: 58-Tonne Filter Press
The final lift involved installing the 58-tonne filter press, a central component in the plant’s water treatment and material separation process. Due to the unit’s size and weight, initial plans considered a tandem lift. However, restricted site access made this unfeasible.
Instead, our team designed a single-crane solution using a 13-metre MOD 110 spreader beam and a custom sling configuration. One of the most significant challenges was the offset centre of gravity, which meant the filter press needed to be lifted perfectly level to avoid instability or rotation during the hoist.
Our in-house engineers carried out detailed sling tension calculations and rigging design to ensure a balanced, controlled lift. Bespoke lifting lugs, which had to be fabricated and certified in Italy, were sourced and shipped to site specifically for this operation.
The lift was executed with precision by our experienced on-site team, including the appointed person, lifting supervisor, and slinger/signaller, all working in close coordination throughout.
Sustainability in Action
The completed wash plant is now fully operational, producing BS EN 932-1 and Series 600 Highways Specification-compliant recycled aggregate. By processing up to 100,000 tonnes of material annually, the facility plays a vital role in reducing construction waste sent to landfill and lowering the demand for virgin aggregate.
In 2020, the UK successfully recovered or recycled over 90% of non-hazardous CD&E waste, meeting the EU Waste Framework Directive target (Source: DEFRA, UK Statistics on Waste). However, despite these recovery rates, a significant volume of material still ends up in landfill or low-value recovery streams, underlining the ongoing need for improved infrastructure capable of producing high-quality recycled materials.
This installation contributes directly to national goals for landfill diversion, material reuse, and the broader shift toward a circular construction economy.
Our involvement in this project reflects our commitment to supporting sustainable infrastructure. From adapting to the evolving needs of the site to delivering a technically challenging final lift, our team helped bring this facility online in a way that was safe, efficient, and aligned with our wider environmental goals.
Talk to our team today to find out how we can help with your next complex lift.
📞 01206 986610 | ✉️ [email protected]
