Mechanochemical destruction (MCD®) is a patented, non-thermal treatment for complex hazardous waste. Developed by Environmental Decontamination (NZ) Limited (EDL), it's being deployed across the UK and Europe in partnership with Veolia, offering an alternative, complementary treatment solution where conventional methods are limited.
Integrating EDL’s technology with Veolia’s nuclear expertise accelerates the scale-up of MCD. A key milestone is hosting an intermediate pilot machine at Veolia’s Abingdon facility, which will demonstrate deployment potential. Contact us to register your interest in attending an open day.
How it works
MCD® uses high-energy milling within sealed reactors to apply mechanical force to waste materials. This process:
- Fractures particles through repeated mechanical stress
- Breaks chemical bonds at the molecular level
- Enables the destruction of hazardous compounds
The process operates without the need for elevated temperatures or chemical additives, relying solely on mechanical energy to drive treatment.
The technology has been successfully demonstrated at proof-of-concept level in the UK, including treatment of solvent waste at Sellafield Ltd and asbestos-containing materials through programmes with the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority.
Key Benefits
Scalable and modular design
Adaptable to a wide range of waste types
Low energy demand compared to thermal processes
Supports circular outcomes through potential resource recovery
MCD® can be applied across a range of complex and hazardous waste streams, including:
Persistent organic pollutants
(e.g. PFAS, PCBs, dioxins)
Oils, lubricants and solvents
Asbestos-containing materials
Contaminated soils and land
Chemical stockpiles
Spent sorbents and resins
Veolia supports Environmental Decontamination Limited in the development and deployment of MCD® across multiple stages. Modular system design enables both on-site and centralised treatment, supporting application across industrial and nuclear environments.
We provide a complete service to support the integration and application of mechanochemical destruction technologies:
- Solution design and engineering integration
- Pilot trials and demonstration programmes
- Waste characterisation and treatment pathway development
- Deployment of modular treatment systems
- Operational support and optimisation
Mechanochemical destruction expands the range of Veolia’s available treatment options, supporting safer and more flexible management of complex waste streams. By complementing existing technologies, MCD® contributes to more sustainable and cost-effective waste treatment strategies.
Contact our team to explore the most appropriate treatment solution for your waste streams.