Leaders in metal recycling gather to discuss opportunities, challenges, and the future of the sector
Improved technology, better marketing, and higher quality scrap can transform the metal circular economy
Lindemann Metal Recycling held its inaugural Customer Advisory Board (CAB), attracting senior executives from the recycling sector to chart the future of the industry.
The event was led by Lindemann CEO Carl Gustaf Göransson, who highlighted the company's new strategy, saying: "We are the leading supplier of metal recycling solutions—but essentially, we exist to transform the metal circular economy for a better tomorrow. Forging a closer relationship with customers is an important part of reaching that goal—and the inspiration behind holding the CAB."
The CAB kicked off with a keynote presentation on green metals recycling
Keynote speaker Tom Bird, past president of the Bureau of International Recycling, said that the metal recycling industry was "green long before it was fashionable—but that it needs to get better at marketing that fact". He highlighted how metal recycling makes an important contribution to lowering the steel industry's carbon footprint, and predicted demand for recycled metals will continue to increase. He also shared how new technology and improved processing would enhance both finished quality and recovery rates.
Participants actively engaged in the open forum-style discussion following the speeches. Topics covered were the risk of fire in shredding plants posed by modern batteries, lack of supply for feed material, whether bigger—or smaller—shredders were needed for EVs or if cars are to be scrapped exclusively by brand. The lack of skilled operatives was also discussed, and the possible missed opportunity it creates for maximizing the benefits of new technology.
New technologies were discussed that boost the productivity and efficiency of metal recycling equipment and the need for processed scrap to be purer, denser, and easier to manage for steel producers. There were also lively discussions on the cost-quality ratio of metal cycling machines, the benefits of standardized designs, and the concept of where equipment ought to be manufactured.
Decarbonizing the industry with scrap metal
The second day of the event involved the findings of the previous day's round table discussions, which again highlighted the risk of fires within shredding equipment caused by rogue feed material, the need to elevate the industry's reputation, and to improve its lobbying skills, ensuring regulations support the industry, customers, and the environment.
A second keynote speech was given by Dr. Christian Fröhling, EVP of metallurgy at SMG Group. He said, "Scrap metal will determine how we will decarbonize the metals industry." He also reiterated the role of metal scrap in the production of green steel. For a smoother process in the metals industry, they need denser crap, higher in purity, and as low as possible in copper.
Delegates ended the CAB with a visit to S Norton's recycling facility in Manchester. The site features a new Lindemann EtaRip 250 Max pre-shredder and ZZ 250x260 Power Zerdirator shredder, the latter featuring the world's first installation of the revolutionary variable frequency drive technology.
