Centro Uno

Centro Uno is the first Swiss waste-to-value facility turning incinerator bottom ash (IBA) into valuable resources like metals and minerals. Located in Full-Reuenthal, Aargau, the plant uses innovative technology patented by SELFRAG to process up to 35'000 tons of IBA from regional incinerators yearly. With an exceptional recovery rate of 50%, Centro Uno marks the first step in the SELFRAG vision of a circular economy.

The name Centro Uno is no coincidence, the plant is to be the first of many. Built in 2022 and inaugurated in 2023, it is now running at full capacity and acts as a flagship for the new generation of SELFRAG facilities envisioned. Discover all the Centros ›

With its cutting-edge technology and market-leading recovery rates, Centro Uno is a pioneer project in Switzerland. Its development would not have been possible if not for the close cooperation with regional authorities, waste incineration plants and customers. This successful collaboration paves the way for SELFRAG's vision of deploying its patented technology throughout the country.

How it works: Incinerator bottom ash is a waste product of incinerators, normally destined to end up in a landfill. Centro Uno has the capacity to upcycle 35'000 tons of this waste slag every year, provided by the surrounding incinerators Renergia in Lucerne, and KVA Turgi and KVA Buchs in Aargau. The patented SELFRAG technology is based on an energy-efficient multi-step process that involves sorting, fragmenting and treating the slag to recover metals and minerals. Its combination of innovative high voltage pulse power and conventional sorting methods yields unprecedented results, with 50% of the processed waste being recovered. Learn more about the technology ›

The SELFRAG technology allows for approximately half of the processed slag to be recycled. Besides metals, it recovers mineral components that can be reused by the construction industry as additives in cement. Not only is this a contribution to the circular economy, it also results in a substantial reduction of waste that would otherwise end up in a landfill.

Every new SELFRAG recycling facility saves a significant amount of CO2 emissions. To further reduce their carbon footprint, SELFRAG plants are built in the vicinity of waste incineration plants or on-site. This creates local jobs while relieving the road network and reducing transport emissions.