Coverstory
T H I S I S S U E
Copper:
A versatile metal under heavy pressure / 14
Last year, scrap contributed 37% or more than 10 million tonnes of the
total copper consumption of nearly 27 million tonnes. However, with
the downturn in copper scrap prices since January this year, recyclers
have been facing greater challenges to their profitability. At the same
time, copper contents in devices are declining quite noticeably.
‘Some devices only hold 4%
copper,’ it was pointed out at Metal
Bulletin’s latest Copper Recycling
Conference. Furthermore, a
complex mixture of complex
materials was said to ‘threaten’
recyclability – with absolutely
no guarantee that any of this
will change in the years ahead.
Sections
3 Viewpoint
6 Events calendar
8 News
50 Next issue
Markets Analysis
36 Ferrous
40 Nickel/stainless
42 Non-ferrous
46 Paper
And also…
26 A new era for DRI?
28 High scores for HSM’s
solutions
49 When paper catches a spark
High-tech scavengers
recover precious metals
18
Textiles sector
at ‘infl exion point’
Italy straining to
‘restart the motor’
3230
Clever equipment that
is built to last
22
At the recent Metalriciclo show in Verona, it was
suggested that Italy’s recyclers should learn to
assess scrap hazards more critically and that they
should also be prepared to look beyond the
country’s borders for growth opportunities.
‘Global change on a seismic level’ has been witnessed
by the textiles recycling sector over the last year or so.
And part of this shift has been brought about by the
increased interest shown both by policy-makers and
major businesses in textiles reuse and recycling.
The recovery of precious metals from process and
waste streams has grown into a multi-million
business. Although the game is clearly already on
for those organisations specialising in ‘scavenger’
techniques, a huge part of this market remains
wide open.
‘Unique’ was the word on everybody’s lips at the
recent IFAT trade show in Munich. And there was
also proof of the phrase: ‘Clever technology equals
better technology.’ Meanwhile, Saperatec pocketed
the GreenTec Award for tackling an ‘unresolved
challenge’.
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RI-6 Inhoud.indd 5 04-08-14 09:27
