Incinerator bottom ash (IBA) is the mineral residue that results from the incineration of residual waste. The material contains a mixture of different minerals such as iron and metals, porcelain residues, glass, bottles and ash. Through advanced slag treatment, these materials can be recycled and transformed into valuable secondary resources for construction and infrastructure.
Approximately 10% of incineration slag consists of ferrous and non-ferrous metals. These metals are separated during the treatment process using magnets and advanced technology.
Fresh IBA directly from the incineration process contains many free metal ions. To ensure safe use, the material undergoes a controlled maturation phase. IBA mature by being stored in a landfill for three months. During the maturation phase, the pH value drops, while the metal ions bind to the IBA. Once the maturation phase is complete, the IBA are thoroughly tested to ensure compliance with environmental and regulatory requirements. After successful tests, the treated materials are ready to be used as recovered aggregate.
IBAA has excellent compaction and load-bearing capacity. Experience from road construction shows, for example, that the layer thickness of the road structure on sections with IBA aggregate can be reduced from approximately 110 cm to 80 cm. This further saves on virgin raw materials, which are becoming scarce in many places.
The product is very weather-resistant, which means that it can be laid and compacted even during heavy rainfall, thanks to its good drainage properties. We offer aggregates free of charge in almost all of Denmark. In agriculture, IBA aggregates can be used under, for example, stables, silage areas, slurry tanks, machine houses and straw bales.
Construction projects require large investments, and with IBAA you are guaranteed an economic gain compared to using virgin materials. By using IBAA as an alternative to fill sand, raw soil and stabilized gravel, the consumption of virgin raw materials is reduced, and we thereby contribute to preserving nature's resources.
At Blue Phoenix, we have experience using the material for road construction and have supplied to projects such as the Svendborg Motorway and the Holstebro Motorway, where the material is primarily used as fill on motorway ramps. In addition to road construction, IBAA is also used as an embedded material in construction projects within agriculture, e.g. for stable buildings, machine houses, silage sites, roads and squares.
By using IBA aggregate (IBAA) instead of stabilized gravel and sand, we help save on natural raw materials, which are becoming increasingly expensive and difficult to obtain. IBAA can usually be delivered free of charge and will therefore represent a significant financial saving compared to stabilized gravel and other filling materials. In some cases, a small amount may be invoiced for the transport of the IBAA, depending on the delivery location.
By using IBAA as an alternative to fill sand, raw soil and bottom protection gravel, the consumption of virgin raw materials is reduced. IBAA is approved for use according to Executive Order No. 1672 of 15.12.2016.
