The Challenge
EIA21 participated in the development of the Conceptual Engineering and FEL II phase for a demonstration plant focused on recycling absorbent hygiene products, including diapers and other sanitary waste streams that are traditionally difficult to recover.
The project’s objective was to evaluate the technical and economic feasibility of a facility capable of transforming these complex waste materials into reusable resources, reducing landfill disposal while supporting circular economy initiatives.
The study included the conceptual definition of the plant, process configuration, major equipment selection, material handling systems, and preliminary investment evaluation for future project development stages.
Recycling absorbent hygiene products presents significant technical challenges due to the heterogeneous composition of the waste and the complexity of material separation and recovery processes.
Key project challenges included:
- Defining a technically viable solution for the treatment and recycling of absorbent hygiene waste.
- Designing a demonstration plant capable of validating the proposed technology.
- Assessing process stages and material recovery opportunities.
- Developing a scalable industrial concept suitable for future commercial facilities.
- Preparing a preliminary capital cost estimate to support investment decisions.
- Evaluating process integration, equipment selection, and material handling requirements from the earliest project stages.
The Solution
EIA21 developed a FEL II engineering package that established the technical and economic foundations of the future facility.
The scope of work included:
- Conceptual engineering of the demonstration plant.
- FEL II development and project definition.
- Process design and process flow diagrams.
- Preliminary specification and selection of major equipment.
- Conceptual design of interconnections and material handling systems.
- Definition of electrical and instrumentation requirements.
- Plot plan and facility layout studies.
- Preliminary CAPEX estimation with an accuracy range of approximately ±25%.
Results
- Complete FEL II definition for the demonstration plant.
- Development of the conceptual engineering package required for project feasibility assessment.
- Identification of key technologies, processes, and equipment for absorbent hygiene products recycling.
- Preparation of a preliminary investment estimate to support future development decisions.
- Establishment of a solid technical basis for subsequent engineering phases and industrial deployment.
- Contribution to innovation and circular economy initiatives focused on waste valorization and resource recovery.
