Sustainable Through Filtration

The Importance of Sustainable Waste Management

In light of increasing waste volumes and dwindling natural resources, sustainable waste utilization is becoming ever more critical. Worldwide, millions of tons of waste are generated every year—yet “waste doesn’t have to go to waste”: a significant portion can be repurposed as a source of energy or raw materials. The challenge lies in developing efficient technologies and processes to recover valuable materials and green energy from waste. This is precisely where the “Waste-to-Green” initiative comes in—a collaboration between German filtration expert MSE and Dutch waste management leader Attero, which plays a key role.

Attero is a pioneer in the circular economy, demonstrating how modern waste management can directly contribute to sustainability. The company processes approximately 1.8 million tonnes of residual waste annually and recovers materials such as plastics, metals, and beverage cartons through advanced sorting technologies. In its state-of-the-art waste-to-energy plants, remaining waste is converted into green gas (biogas), renewable electricity, and sustainable heat. These energy products, along with the recovered secondary raw materials, replace fossil fuels and primary resources—providing substantial environmental and climate benefits. After wind energy, waste incineration plants represent the second-largest contributor to renewable energy generation in the Netherlands. Attero operates two of the world’s most advanced facilities, including one in Moerdijk that can flexibly switch between electricity and heat production to meet industrial and district heating demands.

A crucial aspect of Attero’s innovative approach is maximizing material recovery. As early as 1980, Attero was among the first to implement post-separation of municipal solid waste, extracting recyclables from residual waste. This pioneering spirit led to continual improvement in sorting technology: today, Attero operates highly automated sorting facilities capable of separating recyclable materials with high purity. Organic components are transformed into biogas via anaerobic digestion, while remaining residues are thermally treated. Even the ash from incineration is put to use—processed into secondary construction materials, thereby reducing the extraction of natural resources like sand and gravel. This holistic concept ensures that as little as possible goes to waste: the majority is returned to the economic cycle as new products or energy, with only a minimal portion requiring landfill disposal. In short, Attero literally turns waste into green value.

Filtration as a Key Enabler

In close cooperation with Attero, MSE contributes its technical expertise in solid-liquid separation to advance the Waste-to-Green principle. MSE specializes in innovative filtration systems used globally in environmental technology, wastewater treatment, and the recycling industry. Mechanical separation methods such as chamber filter presses and membrane filter presses make it possible to process liquid waste streams into clean water and dry solids. These solids—such as sewage sludge, filter cake from flue gas cleaning, or residues from biogas production—can be more easily recycled or disposed of thanks to their high dewatering degree. Simultaneously, the treated water can often be reused in the process, reducing freshwater consumption.

MSE’s mission is clear: “Turning wastewater into clean water and sludge into a resource.” This philosophy aligns perfectly with Attero’s circular economy approach. In practical terms, this means that integrating MSE filter presses into Attero’s processing stages can further enhance resource recovery—for instance, by reclaiming fine particles from sludge or isolating and removing pollutants before final residues are released into the environment.

Technology and Sustainability – A Synergistic Approach

A modern waste treatment facility: valuable materials are sorted from residual waste via conveyor belts. Waste-to-Green embodies a holistic strategy, where every process step is designed for resource efficiency and environmental compatibility. The collaboration between MSE and Attero enables powerful synergies between waste treatment and filtration technologies.

For example, flue gas scrubbing in thermal waste treatment produces suspensions that can be efficiently filtered using MSE filter presses. The result: hazardous filter cakes are securely captured for safe disposal or further processing, while the filtrate is clarified. This not only reduces emissions but also reinforces the circular approach by returning as much as possible into the production cycle.

Similarly, filter presses can be used to process digestate from biogas plants—recovering nutrients for fertilizer use and recycling excess water. Each of these use cases illustrates how customized filtration technology refines waste streams, enhancing sustainability and resource efficiency at every stage.

A Commitment to the Environment

With this initiative, MSE reaffirms its environmental responsibility. For decades, the company has delivered environmentally friendly plant technology and partnered with other pioneers to develop sustainable solutions. The collaboration with Attero—one of Europe’s leaders in circular waste management—highlights the importance of such partnerships in driving progress. Together, the companies aim to reduce CO₂ emissions, conserve primary raw materials, and bring the vision of a true circular economy to life.

Attero already plays a significant role in the European energy transition, supplying large volumes of green electricity and biogas from waste every year. MSE supports these efforts with technology that makes processes safer, more efficient, and environmentally sound. The result is a win-win scenario: waste producers, disposal companies, and technology providers work hand-in-hand to transform waste into added value—for industry, society, and the planet.

Waste-to-Green: A Model for the Future

The Waste-to-Green initiative with Attero is a powerful example of how sustainability in waste management can be successfully implemented. Thanks to advanced sorting and recovery processes and the use of cutting-edge filtration, waste is no longer viewed as a burden but as a valuable resource. This paradigm shift—from linear disposal to circular economy—is being actively shaped by companies like Attero and MSE.

Every step of the process—from waste to finished green products—is designed to ease the environmental burden and improve economic viability. Waste-to-Green thus serves as a blueprint for a future where sustainability and technology go hand in hand: Waste becomes Green—for the benefit of generations to come.