Page 41 from: Recycling International – March/April issue 2023
COVER STORY
41recyclinginternational.com | March/April | 2023
wealth of knowledge that we value
and respect. However, it’s difficult to
find new workers in this field. Most
people on our team have been with us
for ten years or longer. They’ve cele-
brated many anniversaries of their
own, and we’re proud to have them
stick with us through it all.’
Even so, except for the occasional
intern who typically works to the mar-
keting department or in business
development, attracting young tech-
savvy talent isn’t easy. ‘This is a phe-
nomenon a lot of recyclers are dealing
with,’ the managing partner points
out. ‘It takes time to train someone
properly. Germany’s strict rules for
students can act as a deterrent.
Perhaps recycling is not the obvious
choice when planning your career?’
It’s another reason to promote best
practice in our industry, Hensel insists.
‘To mine new talent, we have to cele-
brate our successes.’ This leads him to
underline the family-owned company’s
focus on its people. ‘At Hensel
Recycling, we’re all about teamwork.
A shared goal, a passion and a strong
He recalls how, at a nearby construc-
tion project at the peak of the pan-
demic, the alarm went off late one
night. It appears some of the workers
coming off shift thought they could
cash in by stealing valuable scrap.
‘Luckily, they didn’t even get in the
door and were promptly scared off by
all the noise and lights,’ Krestin says
with a laugh.
FUTURE VISION
Hensel Recycling plans to install PV
modules at its headquarters so it can
rely on renewable energy and be car-
bon neutral by 2030. ‘Recycling such
photovoltaic systems may also prove
to be an interesting side business,’
Krestin says. ‘The first big wave of
installed solar panels will soon reach
the end-of-life stage and we’re curi-
ous to see how this waste stream will
evolve. We’re paying close attention
as we’ve got to be ready for the next
generation of e-scrap.’
Although Hensel is looking around for
new projects, its focus will always be
on precious metals. ‘That’s the seg-
ment in which we excel. We want to
honour our history and build on our
know-how and reputation.’
In terms of technology, the recycler is
interested in automating its processes
further. ‘Don’t get me wrong, it’s not
our intention to get rid of people,’
Hensel adds quickly. ‘They possess a
link to the community. It’s what has
brought us where we are today.’
Hensel Recycling ensures 24/7 surveillance to keep out thieves.
Hensel Recycling focusses on product diversity. In addition to autocats, it also recycles catalytic converters from trucks.
COMPANY MILESTONES
2023: Hensel Recycling celebrates its 25th anniversary
2021: The BEST4Hy R&D project represents the start of an international
partnership to develop the recovery of critical raw materials from
hydrogen technologies
2017: Processing plant for e-scrap commissioned
2016: Company name changed from Duesmann & Hensel Recycling to
Hensel Recycling
2014: Thomas L. Hensel enters the company as a shareholder. He and
brother Clemens Hensel take over the shares as equal partners
2006-2014: A globalisation strategy sees Hensel open branches and
sales offices on all five continents.
2004: Recycling plant for metal catalysts and first certification
2003: Clemens Hensel and Ralf Duesmann become shareholders, com-
missioning a processing plant for ceramic catalysts.
1998: Alexandra Duesmann starts the company as a collection business
for catalytic converters
38-39-40-41_henselrecycling.indd 41 15-03-2023 11:43
