SMS joins pioneering project in the US

Aurubis and manufacturer SMS Group have signed a supply contract for a second plant module for the new Aurubis Richmond recycling plant in the US state of Georgia.

The additional equipment will increase the capacity from an annual 90 000 tonnes of complex metal scrap materials to 180 000 tonnes. The core SMS technology, a top-blown rotary converter, processes complex recycling materials to recover copper, nickel, tin, precious metals and platinum group metals. The overall project is costing EUR 640 million and will result in the first secondary smelter specialising in multi-metal recycling in the US.  

Groundbreaking for Aurubis Richmond took place in mid-2022 and the first stage of the plant is scheduled to go online in the first half of 2024. The second stage is anticipated to start production in 2026. 

Modular construction means additional components can be added to meet any future requirements. ‘The modular system means we can plan a prudent market strategy that allows us to respond flexibly to the needs in the US,’ says Aurubis ceo Roland Harings. ‘Aurubis will benefit from the constant market growth in the US.’