Innovative Star Screen Technology for the US Market

There is a noticeable trend towards home-grown and organic foods, not just in Europe but also in the US. This has wide-ranging effects and is helping grow the American mulch market. What started with just wood and bark chips as ground cover has enjoyed a quiet but steady success story. The organic mulch market is now worth billions; mulch doesn’t just cover the ground, it improves the soil, supplies valuable nutrients, prevents weed growth and helps retain moisture. The US has become one of the largest mulch producers alongside Brazil. In 2023 North America accounted for over 40% of the global revenue from mulch and mulch products.

 

A BURGEONING INDUSTRY 

The scale of the demand for sustainable mulch and soil products is impressive; in 2025 the estimated US market volume for lawn and garden mulch and soil was 16.8 billion USD. The clear driver is a growing awareness of sustainability, soil health and climate protection, as reflected in private homes, municipalities and commercial agriculture. This is also evident in the demand for corresponding products – organic mulch like bark, wood and compost is the fastest growing category within the industry. 

 

 

„The ability to easily replace screen shafts and entire sections of the screen deck, along with the new design of the drive motors, represents a major unique proposition for the customer when it comes to accessibility and ease of maintenance, all while maintaining the product quality that only the XL3 has been able to accomplish in the U.S. Market.“

– Kevin Yuncker –

Senior Dealer Development – U.S. at Viably

 

 

ORGANIC MULCH FOR HEALTHY SOILS 

Unlike inorganic mulch, such as gravel, stones and mulch fleece, organic mulch actively promotes soil health. These mulches are made from wood, bark and plant remains, thus returning organic waste to nature. To do this, the recycling industry requires technologies that turn wood and gardening waste into quality mulch, perfectly integrating it into a cycle of sustainability, cost efficiency and rising demand. 

 

 

 

 

DEEP ROOTS 

Screening plays a key role in achieving a uniform mulch texture. Homogeneous sizing gives more effective and breathable ground cover, and thereby better plant protection. Komptech has put down roots in this soil, so to speak. With over 100 star screens on the ground in the US and Canada, this Austrian company is the leading manufacturer of star screens.

 

 

„Outstanding screening results, improved maintenance access, and high efficiency make the new Multistar a compelling solution for our customers.“

– Patrick Reisinger –

Area Sales Manager at Komptech
for the US market 

 

 

The right Komptech machines for making mulch: The new L-series Multistars – L3, L3-L and XL3 – are perfect for processing compost, waste wood and woody biomass.

 

 

The new Multistar features easy loading: Feedstock can be loaded quickly and efficiently, making the work process noticeably easier and more economical.

 

 

FEEDBACK FROM THE EXPERTS 

To make sure that the latest Komptech machine doesn’t just look promising, but also delivers on its promise, leading mulch and compost producers were invited to pre-test the Multistar XL3 and give us their feedback. One of them was SM Gallivan, one of the top mulch providers in the American Northeast. The results were positive. With its modern design, maintenance and service accessibility, and numerous options this new electric-drive star screen scored big points with users right from the start. The different variants and wide range of options mean that almost any requirement can be precisely catered to. In addition, there are naturally many other Komptech machines that can help with mulch production, like the Lacero high-speed shredder.

 

 

„The ability to move the fines discharge conveyor between sides adds valuable flexibility, while the integrated access to the coarse deck and hopper enhance usability.“

– Keith Bartron –

General Manager Northeast U.S.
at Viably

 

 

TOP SERVICE ON SITE 

Komptech machines are available from sales partner Viably (formerly Komptech Americas), which is responsible for the US and Canadian markets. Like Komptech, this Denver-based company focuses on customer-centric advice, great customer service and fast help with all questions and issues. With its large machine portfolio, Viably’s goal is to make lasting improvements in waste recycling efficiency and reliability. Their long experience and problem-solving expertise ensure that Komptech’s American customers are very well taken care of, so they can focus entirely on their mulch production business.

 

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This is the online version of the article „Innovative Star Screen Technology for the US Market” from the Komptech magazine Opportunity / Issue No. 5 (2026)

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