Scalping screen sorts crushed reclaimed asphalt.

Scalping screen in asphalt processing

A crucial step toward independent material processing with Kleemann

With an annual production of over a million tons of bituminous mixture, Nordwestdeutsche Mischwerke (NWM) are among the largest producers of road surfaces in Germany. At 13 bituminous mixture plants, the corporate group produces asphalt for roads all over the country. Nordwestdeutsche Mischwerke has taken an important step toward making asphalt recycling more cost-effective – with a mobile screening plant from Kleemann.

For experienced asphalt professionals and long-standing Benninghoven customers such as NWM, a visit to the Bauma 2025 in Munich and the Wirtgen Group booth was on the agenda. The live demonstration on the recycling management of hot asphalt was in full swing there – a topic which immediately piqued people's curiosity. However, asphalt recycling does not begin at the mixing plant; a crucial factor is the prior processing of the reclaimed asphalt. This is where Kleemann came into play: The asphalt processing using the crushing and screening plants was impressive, which led to a conversation with the Kleemann experts.

Breaking new ground – with our own material processing

The idea of achieving greater self-sufficiency in asphalt recycling and processing had been under discussion at NWM for some time. Until now, the reclaimed asphalt removed from road construction sites – in simple terms, old roads – have been recycled by external contractors. Our initial meeting at the Bauma was followed by a comprehensive consultation and a live demo, during which the NWM team were able to see the Kleemann impact crusher MOBIREX MR 100 NEO, the scalping screen MOBISCREEN MSS 502 EVO and the mobile stockpile conveyor MOBIBELT MBT 24 in action. In-house processing suddenly seemed like a feasible option. “As a first step, the compact screening plant was the perfect fit for our needs – operating directly on-site and designed for flexibility and a pure final product,” recalls Friedhelm Döbber-Rüther, authorized officer at NWM.

Direct feed to the asphalt mixing plant

The subsequent purchase of the MOBISCREEN MSS 502 EVO marked the start of our in-house material processing operations. Today, the milled material delivered from various construction sites is screened directly on site. “It’s a real advantage that the screening and recycling processes happen almost simultaneously. Our employees, who previously had no experience with material processing, praise the straightforward technology and ease of use,” says Döbber-Rüther. “The screening plant can be easily operated at different locations while consistently delivering a clean product with a precise cut – a fundamental requirement in road construction. Our target grain sizes are 0–8 and 8–22 mm – that's the material we can reuse in our mixing plants.” Anything larger than that, i.e. the oversize grain, is collected and processed by a mobile contract crusher.

A middle-aged gentleman smiles at the camera.

“As a first step, the compact screening plant was the perfect fit for our needs – operating directly on-site and designed for flexibility and a pure final product.”

Friedhelm Döbber-Rüther, authorized officer at Nordwestdeutsche Mischwerke.

The reclaimed asphalt is processed with the help of Kleemann impact crushers and mobile screening plants. The material recovered in this way is reused in the Benninghoven asphalt mixing plant, thereby promoting the circular economy.

Wirtgen Group – everything from a single source

“We’ve been working for many years with Benninghoven. “Sticking with Kleemann as another brand within the Wirtgen Group has proven to be a real advantage throughout the entire process,” reports the authorized officer.

“Wirtgen Group has decades of experience in road construction. There’s just a thorough understanding of all the processes,” says Claus Gedecksnis, Kleemann expert from Wirtgen Deutschland. “We took a close look at the situation at NWM and then offered a customized solution. We didn’t just focus on the requirements for crushing and screening plants from Kleemann but also considered the subsequent processing. How are the machines designed? What are the requirements for the material used to feed them? From analyzing the initial situation to successfully implementing customized solutions. Here, our customers benefit from the combined expertise of Wirtgen Group.”

Flexible deployment – also thanks to special equipment

NWM made a conscious decision to acquire the smaller of the Kleemann screening plants, the MSS 502 EVO. The reason: The company's focus was on flexibility. The plant should be relatively easy to move between the 13 mixing plants. A transport height of only 3.20 meters makes this possible: The equipment can be transported on a standard flatbed trailer.

But it’s not just the ease of transport; the optional equipment also helps the machine adapt to specific requirements. The milled asphalt produced is not easy to handle; because of the bound bitumen, it sticks quickly. For this reason, the lower deck is equipped with a stainless steel mesh. The optional equipment also includes a hopper filling aid, which allows the wheel loaders already on site to be used for loading. Premium lighting ensures optimal visibility during early or late shifts. In addition, the “Dual-Power” option allows the machine to be powered electrically, an area that NWM plans to explore further in the future.

Bird’s eye view: A wheel loader loads the mobile screening plant.
The mobile screening plant stands among piles of crushed reclaimed asphalt and sorts the material into different grain sizes.
Scalping screen sorts crushed reclaimed asphalt.

Easy to use, enthusiastic employees

On-the-job training of the employees went smoothly. “Our people are very familiar with asphalt mixing plants; they are technically skilled – it worked right away,” says Döbber-Rüther. “When they saw how much usable material was produced from the milled material, everyone was convinced. Today, the plant is an integral part of our day-to-day operations.” With the MOBISCREEN MSS 502 EVO the transition to in-house processing was a success: “As a first step, we decided on a screening plant.” An additional crusher could make the company completely self-sufficient in terms of processing in the future; this option is still under consideration.

Facts and figures

  • Screening plant: MOBISCREEN MSS 502 EVO
  • Output: 800–1000 t/day
  • Target grain sizes: 0–8 mm, 8–22 mm
  • Equipment: Premium lighting, hopper filling aid, Dual-Power with the option of an external power supply

Details and further information can be found on our product pages.

Mobile screening plants

Mobile screening plants

Top view of the mobile screening plant in operation.