UNTHA delivers complete system solutions for efficient residual wood recycling

Whether in carpentry workshops, sawmills or industrial facilities, residual wood waste is generated wherever wood is processed or manufactured. To ensure this valuable material is reused efficiently, UNTHA offers customised system solutions for residual wood recycling. Companies benefit from a perfectly coordinated process that saves energy, reduces manpower requirements and frees up their teams to focus on core business tasks.

UNTHA has been developing high-performance shredders for more than five decades. In addition, the Austrian premium manufacturer’s experts design and implement complete systems for waste wood recycling, including conveyor technology, metal separation and integration into existing production processes. The goal is to optimise the entire material flow, from shredding to energy recovery.

Intelligent system solutions for the wood industry

The LR and RS series of wood shredders can be used flexibly as stand-alone machines or integrated into complete recycling systems. Conveyor belts, trough chain conveyors and magnetic separators ensure automated material flows – safe, efficient and low maintenance.

UNTHA manages the entire project, adapting each system to the customer’s site requirements. All system solutions carry CE certification, supported by clearly defined interface transfers in accordance with EU standards.

“Our system solutions are as individual as our customers’ requirements. From needs analysis and plant design to commissioning, we handle every step, including installation and service upon request,” explains Markus Regelsberger, Sales & Business Development BU Wood at UNTHA.

The UNTHA product portfolio includes:

• Conveyor technology: rigid and flexible screw conveyors, conveyor belts, trough chain conveyors and distribution systems for chip storage and container filling

• ATEX-compliant designs available

• Metal separators: pipe, drum and overband magnets

• Wood chip centrifuges

• Hydraulic tilting tables, special hopper solutions and more

  
  

Case study: OWI GmbH relies on UNTHA system solutions

The experience of OWI GmbH, a family-run company with sites in Germany and Hungary, shows how UNTHA’s approach works in practice. Founded in 1927, OWI produces moulded parts from wood and plastic, including seat shells, loudspeaker housings and technical components. Its production generates significant quantities of wood waste such as plywood, veneers, pallets, MDF and solid wood residues, which often contain metal inclusions such as screws or plates.

OWI’s goal was to process this residual wood on-site for energy generation, eliminating costly external disposal. To achieve this efficiently – with minimal energy and personnel input – the company chose a complete system solution from UNTHA. Key requirements included fully automatic metal separation via the existing extraction system, flexible loading options and enhanced safety – all within a confined space.

The solution: the UNTHA LR1400 single-shaft shredder with tailored peripheral equipment. Designed to handle large and bulky material, the LR1400’s robust cutting system is resistant to metal inclusions. Material is transported via a specially designed feed belt with safety features, while a screw conveyor feeds the shredded wood chips to a drum magnet that automatically separates metal into a collection trough. The cleaned chips are then extracted to a silo feeding the company’s wood chip heating system.

With the LR1400, OWI can now process all residual wood – including metal inclusions – for thermal utilisation, generating around 300 tons of fuel per year. This meets the company’s entire annual heating demand of approximately 1,300MWh, equivalent to 125,000 litres of heating oil or 133,000m³ of natural gas – a value of roughly £116,000 to £164,500 (as of October 2025).

“The project at OWI is a prime example of how well-designed system solutions can elevate waste wood recycling. The plant operates fully automatically, requires minimal intervention and closes the material cycle within the company,” notes Markus Regelsberger.

The customer agrees: “The LR1400 meets all our expectations and the UNTHA team impressed us throughout. From consultation and planning to installation and commissioning – everything came from one source, in great cooperation with our in-house maintenance team. We’re very satisfied,” says Markus König, Production Manager, Wood Division, OWI GmbH.

For further information on UNTHA’s range of customised system solutions for residual wood recycling, see www.untha.com.