1,200 Landfill Tanks – Welded with Leister

Success Stories30 Jun 2025

With a footprint spanning over six square kilometers, the Laogang landfill in Shanghai ranks among the largest in Asia. Now in its fifth expansion phase, the project reflects China's shift toward rigid landfilling methods—and relies on high-performance welding equipment from Leister to ensure airtight membrane sealing and long-term environmental protection.

Author: Vivi Huang, Head of MarCom, Leister Technologies Ltd. / China

In Shanghai, the Laogang landfill—with its massive scale—has become one of the largest landfill sites in Asia. First constructed in 1985, it was designed to manage more than 70% of Shanghai’s household waste on a daily basis.

From Flexible to Rigid: A New Era in Landfilling

Through five consecutive construction phases, Laogang has evolved into a major landfill hub. The first three phases cover 3.26 square kilometers; phase four adds another 3.36 square kilometers. In recent years, Chinese waste policy has shifted from traditional flexible landfill methods to rigid landfill systems following incineration. The fifth phase reflects this new approach, incorporating rigid landfill technology across 1,200 tanks, with a total capacity of 300,000 cubic meters. Completion is scheduled for November 2025.

From Waste to Clean Energy – Sustainability Sealed with Leister

The Laogang landfill not only deals with household waste but also actively practices the green development. By collecting the biogas produced from the fermentation of garbage and converting it into green energy for power generation, 400 million kilowatt-hours of clean electricity can be transmitted to the power grid every year, achieving the recycling of resources. During the construction of this largest landfill in Asia, Leister's reliable and efficient welding equipment played an indispensable role and became the top choice for welding membrane materials in the landfill.

Vertical welding with COMET – Precise Down to Ten Meters Deep

The internal dimensions of the landfill tanks are 5 m×5 m×10 m. Operators are required to perform four vertical upward overlap weld seams at a depth of 10 meters, to weld the 2mm thick HDPE membrane into a single impermeable surface. The Leister COMET 700/500 series features a powerful motor that enables high-speed and smooth welding on vertical walls and pass the air pressure test with integrity.

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Welding of Sealing Strip Patches and Pipes

After using 24 metal sealing strips to secure the membrane around the rigid landfill tank, patches need to be welded to cover the nail holes. The vent pipes also need to be welded onto the walls. The slender design of the FUSION 3 extruder, with a proper length and light weight, is suitable for welding projects that require standing for a long time, significantly improving the comfort of the operators. The two sides supply function breaks the limitation of the working area. No matter from which angle the welding operation is carried out, it can be conveniently held, making the welding process more free and simple.

Leister Solutions Around the World

Leister welding equipment, with its outstanding performance, high stability and reliability, is widely applicable to various complex scenarios. Whether in the construction of large-scale landfill sites or other industrial welding projects, Leister equipment can always meet the strict demands of professionals with its outstanding performance, earning wide acclaim and becoming a trusted high-quality brand in the welding field.

Want to Build the Future of Waste Management with Us?

Leister's high-performance welding solutions ensure lasting quality, even under the toughest conditions. Whether you're planning a landfill, an infrastructure project, or a sustainable energy site—our team is ready to support you with experience, technology, and passion.