Top 100: Let’s hear it for the women in scrap!

More women are joining the recycling industry every year. We’re glad to shine a spotlight on some of those who’ve made the 2025 Top 100!

Innovative female entrepreneurs in scrap make up at least 15% of the workforce in North America and Europe these days. Here are some who are paving the path for others in the recycling industry.

#5 Lyuba Kolosovska (Ukraine)

Founder of battery collection scheme Battery Busters. ‘We are the largest battery collection network in the country and have become a movement that unites companies, students and volunteers.’ Kolosovska is literally on the front line of the battery industry, having recently launched an initiative to collect and recycle batteries from military drones. She estimates around two million were produced in 2024 alone.

Despite the war, Ukraine’s battery sector has some seen some positive developments. Recently, renewable energy company DTEK invested EUR 125 million in the construction of the country’s largest battery storage projects in Kyiv, one of the biggest ones in Eastern Europe. ‘Life is chaotic but we cannot sit still. We have to keep thinking of our environment, our industries and our resource independence.’ Recent studies have pointed out Ukraine’s metal deposits could provide sufficient critical raw materials for the entire EU. 

#7 Karina Cady (Singapore)

Ceo of aircraft recycler Nandina REM. ‘We treated almost 40 aircraft this year and aim to double this number in 2026.’ As well as providing aviation-grade metals, Nandina also offers quality carbon fibres. Cady points out that around 8 000 decommissioned aircraft around the world are currently collecting dust in storage and another 15 000 will be added in the next 10 years. The scale of aviation scrap is especially significant in Asia, the region with the largest share of aircraft.

Industries there will generate an estimated 102 500 tonnes of end-of-life carbon fibre from aviation by 2050. Nandina is leveraging the intelligent automation and multi-material segregation processes developed by its partner A*Star. Cady is one of the founders of the Aviation Circularity Consortium: ‘It’s great to be able to say our recycling activities are fully traceable from start to finish.’

#23 Anna Marchisio (Germany)

Business development manager for Hensel Recycling, which specialises in precious metals, targeting automotive scrap, catalytic converters, end-of-life electronics and hydrogen fuel cells. Marchisio has been with the company for over 10 years, building up her expertise in metals and emerging waste streams through passionate discussions with other industry stakeholders at countless international events – often as a speaker.

‘I spoke at a hydrogen fuel cell event in Cologne. It’s still counts as uncharted territory so recyclers have a lot of figuring out to do. Waste streams and product types are very dynamic. Tomorrow everything could be different and you have to be ready for that.’ Marchisio underlines the importance of being an early adopter in recycling technology, not a follower. She is also part of the Women in Platinum Group Metals working group, aimed at connecting female innovators in the sector.

#26 Elinor Feuer (Sweden)

Another newcomer to the Top 100, Feuer has been working in scrap trade for 17 years in both Swedish and international companies. Since 2018 she has been independent and running her own company Chilanga, which is Mexican slang for ‘Girl from Mexico City’. ‘My parents were working and living there when I was born, so I figured it was a fun name to have and to honour my early roots.’

Regarding trade bans and tariffs: ‘I’m a big fan of open markets and global trade but let’s not paint it all black. Better keep cool and focus on what you can influence. One important truth I’ve learned from working in scrap is that we are very resilient.’ Feuer is also president of Svenska Järn, the Swedish Iron and Metal Scrap Traders’ Association.

#45 Petra Mussmann (Austria)

Head of the Ragg metal recycling business based in Innsbruck. The company has been investing millions in extra capacity and modern technology, the latest of which has been a new, 1 400 horsepower shredder. It took eight months, expertise and, above all, a dedicated team effort to tear down Ragg’s old shredder and build a modern line from scratch on the same site. But it’s been worth the hard work. ‘It’s been an amazing journey and a crucial investment necessary for our company to build on. Most importantly, thank goodness we’ve had no accidents along the way.’        

#65 Antonia Biggs (Chile)

As general manager of Chile’s national recycling industry body ANIR, Biggs is a passionate advocate of the sector. She speaks at conferences around the world. Chile has a long way to go when it comes to modern recycling, says Biggs, but there’s so much to win, especially in the field of solar panel and tyre recycling. ‘When comparing the recycling processes of Chile with Europe, you may conclude that the level of industrialisation is relatively low.’

#69 Victoria Hellström Mader (Sweden)

Managing director of Befesa Circular Alloys which recycled 2.2 million tonnes of hazardous waste and residual waste from Europe’s steelmaking industry in 2024. Net sales for the year totalled EUR 1.5 million. Crucial to the company’s facility in Landskrona is an innovative plasma shaft furnace, inspired by plasma technology originally invented by NASA to simulate extreme temperatures. Workers tap the furnace every three-to-five hours, after which the alloy is cast in blocks and granulated, with a 93-95% recovery rate.

‘It’s an incredibly strenuous job. I’m proud of them and of the almost 1 800 people working for us, giving all they’ve got every single day. We share a mission and a drive, and that makes us feel like family.’ Mader says meeting future critical metal demand remains a major concern. ‘By 2040, demand could total 35 million tonnes, if not more. This means we all have to pay attention. We have to keep pushing for best available technology.’

#89 Mariska Boer (The Netherlands)

Textiles expert at Boer Group, based in Dordrecht, which treats around 400 tonnes of textiles per day. Boer also serves as the chair of the nationwide textiles collection and sorting organisation VHT. She is a well-known face in the recycling industry with appearances at international conferences and trade shows, often on behalf of EuRIC for which she became textiles division president in 2019. ‘Recycling fibre from post-consumer textiles into new clothing is both technically and economically viable within Europe.’ The proof is in the pudding. Her team has transformed 24 tonnes of post-consumer textile waste into 50 000 garments (with 70% recycled content) for Dutch retailer Zeeman.