IFAT 2026 : A pioneering diesel shredder marks a new chapter in mobile recycling

Lindner Recyclingtech chose the IFAT Munich trade fair, held from 4 to 7 May 2026, to debut the Merak 2800 DT — the first diesel-driven mobile single-shaft comminuter in its class. The launch marks a significant expansion of the Merak series, which was originally introduced at IFAT 2024 as an all-electric machine. In just two years, the platform has earned a strong reputation for versatility, productivity, and throughput across a wide range of material streams.

The new diesel variant retains all the core strengths of the electric model whilst adding something operators at remote or temporary sites have long sought: complete independence from grid infrastructure. With no need for a transformer or a separate generator, the machine is ready for use as soon as it has been refuelled.

"The availability of a reliable electric power supply varies greatly around the world and presents a major challenge for many of our customers. We are responding specifically to this situation in the market by extending the Merak series just two years after its launch with an additional drive option," said Matthias Egarter, CEO at Lindner.

Developing a diesel-powered version of a high-speed rotor machine was not without its engineering challenges. The Merak 2800's rotor system demands consistent rotational speeds under varying load conditions — something more straightforwardly achieved with electric power than with a diesel-hydraulic drive.

"The biggest challenge was achieving the required rotor speeds with a diesel-hydraulic drive," explained Thomas Gasser, product manager of the Merak series. "Together with our partners in the field of motor and transmission technology, we have developed an innovative concept that minimises drops in speed under load. This ensures that the proven performance and throughput achieved by the electric Merak are also guaranteed with the diesel version."

The result is a machine that matches the output of its electric counterpart whilst delivering full off-grid capability — a combination Lindner describes as a fully mobile turnkey solution.

The Merak 2800 DT inherits the broad processing capability that has made the electric model so well regarded in the waste management sector. Three interchangeable rotor configurations and a range of screen options allow the machine to be adapted to suit different material streams, including waste wood, plastics, industrial and commercial waste, and household waste. Output particle sizes range from 30 to 350 mm, making the machine suitable for everything from coarse pre-processing to final size reduction in a single pass.

A foldable conveyor belt — new to the diesel version — further simplifies handling during mobile operation, reducing setup time when moving between sites.

Lindner has been developing shredding solutions from its base in Spittal an der Drau, Austria, for more than 75 years. The family-owned company manufactures its machines and spare parts across two Austrian production facilities and exports to almost one hundred countries. Alongside individual shredding machines, its portfolio includes integrated system solutions for demanding waste processing applications, including plastics recycling and the production of refuse-derived fuels.

The IFAT Munich debut of the Merak 2800 DT — demonstrated live at the VDMA Demo Days as well as on the stand in Hall B6/251 — underlined Lindner's commitment to expanding the boundaries of mobile waste processing. For operators working in areas with unreliable power infrastructure, the diesel Merak may represent exactly the flexibility the industry has been waiting for.