In late 2025, Ballance Agri-Nutrients engaged InterGroup to manage the collection, treatment and disposal of specialist catalyst waste from its Mount Maunganui manufacturing facility as they were preparing to close down the facility.
The project involved the removal of approximately 180 tonnes of processed chemical catalyst material used in the manufacture of fertiliser. The waste had been stored onsite in bulk stacks and required specialist handling, treatment, and transport before disposal.
Ballance required a contractor capable of rapidly mobilising resources within a very short timeframe while also bringing the technical capability to safely stabilise and dispose of the waste in strict adherence to environmental and landfill compliance requirements.
Careful planning, efficient execution and close coordination with other onsite contractors enabled InterGroup to deliver the works safely and on schedule during a critical facility shutdown.
Developing a Safe Treatment and Disposal Methodology
The catalyst waste contained vanadium pentoxide compounds and posed both chemical-handling and worker-exposure risks, including dust inhalation hazards during removal and transport activities.
InterGroup’s technical and HSQE teams worked collaboratively to develop a treatment method and a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) focused on worker safety, dust management, PPE requirements, and compliant waste stabilisation processes.
The waste material was slightly acidic and required chemical treatment before disposal. InterGroup developed and implemented a multi-step treatment process to adjust pH levels and convert vanadium from the V05 state to the more stable V04 state, enabling disposal at a Class 1 landfill facility.
The works also involved coordinating waste collection activities around Balance’s wider shutdown programme and other contractors operating onsite during partial plant dismantling works.
Specialist equipment and experienced personnel enabled the safe and efficient delivery of this complex waste disposal project.
Planning and Delivering to a Tight Timeframe
One of the primary challenges we faced was the programme. By the time we were engaged by Ballance, the work was urgent and needed to be planned and delivered over the course of two weeks to coincide with a planned shutdown of the facility.
Drawing on InterGroup’s large fleet, experienced personnel, and established hazardous waste capability, we were able to rapidly mobilise plant, equipment, and transport resources to meet the required timeframe.
Waste was packaged into bulk bags and transported using InterGroup’s specialist fleet, enabling efficient coordination and control across the collection and disposal process. Strong local relationships built through previous successful project delivery within the region further contributed to clarity and alignment, and efficient site coordination throughout the shutdown period.
Programme Results
The project was completed within the required timeframe and budget, while achieving all environmental compliance requirements for treatment, transport and disposal.
InterGroup’s in-house technical hazardous waste expertise and treatment capability alongside our extensive pool of personnel and fleet of specialist vehicles all enabled swift and successful delivery of this complex waste disposal service.