Since 2022, MOH has been closely involved in the construction of the first Xycle plant. From the very beginning, the team has contributed intensively to the design, execution and overall working approach. Early last year, Ton Klinkenberg joined the project as Programme Manager. “I joined Facta at that time and was immediately assigned to the Xycle project,” he explains. “Precisely because of my in-depth knowledge of piping and my experience in leading projects like this. For me, it’s a great challenge with a sustainable impact.”

From November last year, the site compound was set up on location, and in December MOH started its activities with unloading, positioning and lifting in equipment from India. “The lifting of the equipment for street two has been completed, but that’s really where the work begins,” says Ton. “Next comes the piping: connecting all pipelines, fabricating tailor-made spool pieces, and installing valves and instrumentation. Where necessary, structural elements and gratings are temporarily removed and later reinstalled. It’s a matter of careful fitting and measuring — but it’s also true craftsmanship, and something our people excel at.”

Coordination and complexity
At present, the biggest technical challenge lies in the piping. “You’re dealing with deviations in equipment, nozzles and piping that all need to connect perfectly,” Ton explains. “In practice, you sometimes have to make adjustments. That tension between drawings and reality is part of the job and that’s what we resolve on site.”

Together with MOH colleagues Herman, Danny and Huseyin, and Job, Luuk and Rob from Xycle, Ton forms the core team that determines how the mechanical works are executed on site. “That’s a fantastic feeling,” he says. “Together, we find solutions that work both technically and in practice.” What is Ton most proud of? “The quality and expertise we bring in as MOH, but also the way we collaborate. This is truly a team effort, both with our mechanical fitters and with the Xycle team. We are open and honest: we address what isn’t going well, but we also acknowledge each other when things run smoothly.”

All disciplines combined
What makes this project especially meaningful for Ton is both its value and its impact. “I’ve worked in traditional energy for many years,” he says. “Now I’m working on recycling, on an installation that brings raw materials back into the value chain. That really feels like giving something back.”

Xycle is also an attractive project for MOH/Facta. “All disciplines come together here: steel structures, equipment, piping, pumps and rotating equipment. In addition, the project has high visibility and focuses on energy efficiency and sustainability. That makes it technically challenging and socially relevant at the same time.”

From construction to handover
MOH will remain involved in the project until November 2026. Until then, all modifications to the original design will be carefully documented and incorporated into the final drawings, enabling future Xycle plants to be built directly using a proven and validated design.

Once the mechanical works are completed later this year, the project will move into the commissioning and handover phase towards maintenance. For Ton, the project will be a success when the entire plant operates as intended. “When the efficiency targets are met and the expected output is actually achieved. That’s our shared goal.”