Specializing in adding value through waste reduction & thermal combustion

Advanced Recycling Equipment, Inc. is the manufacturer of Challenger ®BIOMASS COMBUSTION SYSTEMS. Our Thermal Combustion Systems range from 750,000 to 60,000,000 BTU and are designed to combust a wide variety of biomass materials, such as sander dust, MDF, particleboard, bark, agri by-products and all other forms of clean biomass waste.

Advanced Recycling Equipment, Inc. also offers Challenger ® GRINDERS with the most comprehensive and complete line of grinding equipment in North America. Challenger ®Grinders are second to none in performance and structural integrity. With over 70 models available, we can meet every customer’s needs.

Mission Statement: With a dedicated team network, we will use our talents and resources to become and remain the supplier of choice. Customer needs will be met by providing exceptional service and quality products.

Advanced Recycling Equipment, Inc. (A.R.E.) was founded in 1993 with a primary focus on its Challenger® Waste Reduction Grinders. With the company’s location in the heart of the Allegheny National Forest, in St. Marys, Elk County, Pennsylvania, A.R.E. constructed its Challenger® Grinders to meet the demanding needs of the primary and secondary manufacturing uses of the nearby hardwood industry.

Challenger® Grinders were designed to be superior in structure and capable of grinding large volumes of waste bio-mass associated with the hardwood industry. Today, Advanced Recycling Equipment, Inc. offers the most comprehensive line of waste reduction grinders, with over 70 models to choose from.

Since its inception in 1993, Advanced Recycling Equipment, Inc. has added to its original product line with the introduction of our Challenger® Biomass Combustion Systems in 2001. Challenger® Biomass Combustion Systems range in thermal output from 1,000,000 to 60,000,000 BTU and are capable of combusting a wide variety of biomass materials. These fuels consist of many forms of wood waste and agri by-products, such as sawdust, wood chips, tree trimmings, switchgrass, cocoa shells, corn stover, broiler litter and many other forms of clean biomass waste.

When the company moved in 1993, to its present location on Washington Road it consisted of 10,000 sq. ft. Over the years, A.R.E. has made several expansions, present day our facility encompasses more than 40,000 square feet. One of these expansions included the construction of a Test Facility, allowing customers to assess potential biomass waste for both waste reduction and combustion capabilities. The Test Facility is also equipped for independent testing to assist customers with permitting applications by providing emissions data used in the permitting process for their specific biomass fuel.

Since the inception of our Challenger Biomass Combustion Systems in 2001, we have produced and installed dozens of these units worldwide. Eleven of these units have been installed within the state of Pennsylvania, helping to displace as much as 7,000 tons of CO2 annually. Out of these eleven, six qualified for grants through clean energy development funding programs, such as the PEDA and Energy Harvest programs administered by the PA DEP. Two of these installations were firsts for the state of PA and possibly the nation. Elk Regional Health Center, located in Saint Marys, PA was the first community hospital within the state to use biomass as their major source of energy for their facility. Benton Area School District, located in Benton, PA was the first in the state, possibly the nation to utilize switchgrass as their major source of heat for their district.

In the Spring of 2009, after receiving continued requests, Advanced Recycling Equipment, Inc. saw the need to develop an organization that could provide whole Energy Systems and Expanded Services to its customers. To fill this need, ARE developed Challenger Energy Systems, Inc. (C.E.S.). Focusing on our manufacturing brand name Challenger® and incorporating our ability to provide whole system support and services, C.E.S is able to offer customers a package that includes all aspects of the project. These services could include upfront Feasibility and Engineering studies, entire equipment package no matter what the project, Start Up and Commissioning and the Follow-Up Services for years after. Advanced Recycling Equipment, Inc and Challenger Energy Systems, Inc. together are able to offer their customers everything needed for a successful project no matter how big or small.

Over the past several years, with the development of many new markets, ARE/CES have worked hard to be involved in many projects at the Institutional level. Facilities that would not have considered utilizing Biomass as a primary fuel source for their heating, cooling, process and domestic hot water needs several years ago, are installing Biomass systems today. Public and Private Schools, Universities and Hospitals, Federal and State Correctional Facilities, State and Federal Buildings and Municipal District Heating Systems are becoming more and more aware of the benefits of Biomass as a Primary Fuel Source. ARE/CES is working to spread the word about the benefits Biomass brings in an effort to help educate potential customers. We are looking to these expanded markets for the future growth of our companies and we feel that the possibilities for Biomass utilization are endless.

Parts & Services

Advanced Recycling Equipment, Inc. maintains a complete Parts Inventory and a fully-staffed Service Department to meet your needs after the sale. So, when we say that we stand behind our products, we mean it.
Our Parts Inventory allows us to meet your needs by filling your parts order immediately, often that same day. So, there’s no need to call around looking for parts.
Parts Dept 1Parts Dept 2Parts Dept 3 (1)
Our Service Department is staffed with the most knowledgeable Service Technicians and Electricians to answer your questions right over the phone. We also maintain customer Service Records that track every detail of your system. So, our Technicians can better serve you. Our Technicians are also available for on-site service.