The New Kraken Series: Panizzolo’s Approach to Pre-Shredding
In today’s recycling industry, where both the complexity and the volume of scrap are constantly growing, it has become increasingly strategic to adopt technologies that can ensure continuity and high performance right from the earliest stages of processing.
To meet this challenge, Panizzolo Recycling Systems has developed Kraken, a new series of industrial pre-shredders designed for the volumetric reduction of the most complex scrap. The series debuts with the PSH Kraken 2300 model and will soon be expanded with additional versions to cover different production capacities, offering tailor-made solutions for every requirement. We spoke with Mauro Panizzolo, Owner and Sales Manager, to explore the features of the new machine and its role within the company’s strategic vision.
Kraken enters the market at a time when recycling demands are higher than ever. What were the design premises for this new series?
The series was born out of two needs. On the one hand, our internal need to complete our range with a solution dedicated to pre-shredding, integrable with our Mega hammer mills and capable of keeping up with their high performance. On the other hand, it came from the increasingly clear needs of our customers, who required a reliable technology to properly prepare material for the grinding phase, especially in high-throughput contexts.
We therefore needed a robust machine designed to handle even the bulkiest and most complex scrap, ensuring effective volumetric reduction and a steady flow to subsequent stages of the line. The Kraken series is our concrete response: a technology designed to integrate flexibly and optimize the entire process.
What types of material can the Kraken series process?
The pre-shredder has been developed for heavy-duty metal scrap. Its robust frame, 630 kW motor, and total weight of 95 tons allow it to process a wide variety of materials such as end-of-life vehicles and car bales (including engines and mechanical parts), aluminum profiles, ferrous scrap, mixed scrap, and bulky waste. It is a machine designed for industrial high-volume operations, where downtime is not an option.
One of the most interesting aspects is the toothed shafts. What makes them different?
The performance of the Kraken series is the result of extensive in-house design work, starting with the toothed shafts. We studied a specific geometry and configuration to achieve precise and controlled tearing, capable of volumetrically reducing material in a single pass. This translates into a smoother, more consistent flow to the hammer mill, maximizing energy efficiency and minimizing mechanical stress on downstream machines.
Let’s talk about maintenance and durability. How did you address these aspects?
Durability and ease of intervention were key priorities in the design of the new series, fully in line with the construction philosophy that characterizes all our machines. The pre-shredder is equipped with a quick-release shaft system, which allows worn components to be replaced in reduced time. In addition, the bearing housings protect mechanical parts from dust and contaminants, preserving the machine’s integrity even in challenging environments. On top of this, the Kraken series adopts a compact and functional configuration: both the electric panel and the hydraulic unit are housed in dedicated containers. This solution simplifies transport, installation, and commissioning, while offering maximum flexibility in logistics and optimizing setup times, whether in new plants or in existing facilities.
And in terms of safety, how does the Kraken pre-shredder perform?
We designed the new series with particular attention to safety in real-world operating conditions. Thanks to its shredding logic, the machine can directly process potentially critical components such as cylinders or tanks, tearing them open and releasing any residual gas or flammable liquids. This function is particularly useful when treating mixed scrap, where it is not always possible to know exactly what the incoming material contains. In such cases, the risk of explosions, damage, or malfunctions in later treatment stages is real. By intervening already at the first step, the pre-shredder drastically reduces these risks, protecting the plant and helping ensure a safer, more stable process.
Build quality has always been a distinctive feature of your solutions. How does it translate into the Kraken project?
Once again, we have applied the standards of our Quality Policy: certified steelwork, reinforced welding, and components sourced from Italian and Northern European partners recognized worldwide. A concrete example is the use of planetary gearboxes, top-of-the-range solutions we selected for their ability to withstand extreme loads and ensure operational continuity even under the toughest conditions. This uncompromising quality-oriented approach results in a reliable, durable, and high-performance solution, with optimized operating costs and a return on investment that consolidates over the long term.
The control software plays an important role in managing operations. How was it designed?
The Kraken pre-shredder’s control system is smart and flexible. Operators can choose between preset recipes for different scrap types or fully customize the parameters. This allows the machine to adapt to the incoming material, reducing energy consumption and mechanical stress. It’s a solution designed to provide autonomy and control even in highly dynamic contexts.
The Kraken pre-shredder is part of a major project in the United Arab Emirates. Can you tell us more?
The new solution is one of the key elements of the plant we are building for Emirates Global Aluminium (EGA), one of the world’s leading aluminum producers. The plant, which will be the largest of its kind in the UAE, is designed to process up to 170,000 tons of scrap per year and will significantly contribute to EGA’s decarbonization strategy. For us, being involved in such a large-scale project is a source of great pride.
What role does Panizzolo play within the EGA project?
Our role goes far beyond simply supplying the machines. Panizzolo technology is the driving force of the project, ensuring the optimization of flows, integration of different machines, and synergic coordination of all process phases. The result will enable the production of high-quality, low-impact secondary aluminum, which EGA will market under the RevivAL brand. This project positions us as a global technology partner and marks an important milestone in our international expansion.
In conclusion, what is the added value of this new series?
It is the strategic piece that completes our offering. From the very beginning, we have designed machines to be efficient, integrated, and aligned with the real needs of industrial plants. With the introduction of the Kraken series, we extend our ability to cover the entire treatment process, from volumetric reduction to refining. It is a solution that further strengthens the value of our approach: offering not just machines, but a solid and integrated technological system built around the concrete needs of our customers.
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