Winning ways: http://www.nationalgridconnecting.com/winning-ways/ 

Supplier design competition winner develops an innovative concept of overhead line recycling that reduces the use of aluminium and preserves precious resources. 

Responding to the call to action on sustainability, Midal has developed an innovative concept of overhead line recycling that reduces the use of aluminium and preserves precious resources. The company has also been named as the winner of our first Supplier Design Awards . 

Under the proposal old aluminium and aluminium alloys conductors – a critical part of the transmission grid – will be recovered, transported to Bahrain and recycled by re-melting the metal at Midal’s facility. New conductors with a lifespan of 40 years will then be produced from the original material and returned to the grid. 

The concept mirrors the principles of a circular economy and is already making headway – a pilot programme on the Harker-Hutton line in Cumbria has begun in partnership with National Grid to fine tune the logistics. 

The approach promises significant environmental and business benefits because not only will it minimise the use of raw materials but we will also be protected against price volatility in the commodities market through the recycling of existing aluminium. 

By winning the Supplier Design Awards Midal joins a prestigious group of forward-thinking businesses, innovators and regions in the Circular Economy 100 , a platform to accelerate the transition to a circular economy over a three-year period. 

Hamid Al Zayani, Managing Director, said: “We are really excited about the potential of the overhead line conductor recycling idea. We have an extensive customer base around the world and there is no technical reason why the same technique could not be applied elsewhere. We also plan to invest more in research and development activities that will help to turn ideas such as this one into reality.” 

Midal’s Kersi Master, General Manager Europe, CIS, N&S America, recalls the Sustainability Summit as a real catalyst for change: “What was really refreshing about the event was the fact that National Grid actively sought the views of people from outside the organisation. That was an unusual and positive step from a supplier perspective and it gave us extra motivation to come up with new solutions.