Page 39 from: Recycling International Jan/Feb 2025
TRENDS & UPDATES
39recyclinginternational.com | January/February | 2025
RESEARCHERS PLOT PATH TO UK’S FIRST WETSUIT
RECYCLING FACILITY
A plan to develop the UK’s first wetsuit recycling facility is among
eight new projects being considered in a collaboration between five
universities and the UK Fashion and Textile Association (UKFT).
The projects are being funded by a £1 million (EUR 1.2 million) pot from
Future Fibres Network Plus which aims to bring environmental science
into the heart of the UK fashion, clothing and textile sectors.
Many wetsuits are made from neoprene but the UK currently has no
way of recycling them, meaning more than 380 tonnes is burned or
landfilled each year. Led by the University of Plymouth and working with
industry partner Circular Flow, the project will examine the scope for
developing a UK neoprene recycling facility.
Dr Kayleigh Wyles, associate professor in environmental psychology at
the University of Plymouth and project lead, says: ‘Our project will
investigate the level of interest among UK businesses for returning end-
of-life wetsuits and accessories to a UK facility where they can be
turned into new and useful products.’
‘We also aim to understand consumers’ willingness to purchase and
wear recycled neoprene products and explore the logistics of develop-
ing a recycling facility.”
Circular Flow already has a facility in Bulgaria but one in the UK would
be seen as a significant development.
RECYCLING CAN CUT EU’S EV BATTERY METAL
IMPORTS
Europe could cut its reliance on EV battery mineral imports
by up to a quarter by the end of the decade by promoting
recycling, according to a new study.
Materials from end-of-life batteries and gigafactory scrap have
the potential to build up to 2.4 million EVs locally in 2030,
according to the research by Brussels-based consultancy
Transport & Environment (T&E).
But T&E warns that the EU and the UK will not be able to
achieve the total unless they back recycling projects at risk of
being cancelled.
Recycling spent cells and production scrap could provide 14%
of the lithium, 16% of the nickel, 17% of the manganese and
25% of the cobalt that Europe will need for electric cars by
2030, the study finds. These proportions could then rise dra-
matically, with the region having the potential to be almost
self-sufficient in cobalt for electric cars in 2040.
Julia Poliscanova, a senior director at T&E, mantains: ‘If Europe
delivers on its recycling plans, it can slash its reliance on
imported critical metals. The expected volumes of locally
recovered materials can enable Europe to build millions of
clean electric vehicles locally.’
The research finds that recycling EV minerals in Europe could
avoid the need for 12 new mines globally by 2040: four lithium,
three nickel, four cobalt and one manganese.
Recycling in Europe with its cleaner electricity grid could also
cut the carbon footprint of sourcing lithium by 19% compared
to extracting it in Australia and refining it in China. But to reap
the economic and sustainability benefits, Europe has to scale
up its recycling industry. The report finds that almost half of the
recycling capacity that has been announced for the region is on
hold or uncertain of going ahead.
PROGRESS ON BELFAST RARE EARTH INITIATIVE
Plans for a magnet recycling facility in Northern Ireland have
advanced with the completion of a feasibility study.
Project Ionic Rare Earth Recycling encompasses the design and
construction of a new magnet recycling plant on an existing brown-
field site in Belfast for Ionic Technologies.
The study was carried out by consultancy and provides a more
refined cost estimate and incorporates design improvements while
prioritising operational health and safety. It covered a range of ser-
vices including design management, process engineering, mechani-
cal and electrical, architectural, and civil and structural engineering.
WSP also provided environmental consultancy support to Ionic
Technologies.
China accounts for 87% of the production of magnet rare earth
oxides while its downstream capabilities account for nearly 95% of
global permanent magnet manufacturing. Ionic Technologies’ goal
is for a more sustainable future by extracting and recycling rare
earth oxides (REO) from end-of-life magnets.
Tim Harrison, md, IonicRE, says the completion of the feasibility
study is a significant milestone in the development of a western
rare earths supply chain, initially centred on Belfast. ‘Significantly,
the study confirms that the commercial case for magnet recycling is
compelling, complementing the clear environmental and sustain-
ability benefits, as well as the growing requirement for REO produc-
tion outside of China.’
Andrew Woodward, Head of Industry at WSP, says: ‘Rare earths are
critical to the future of the Net Zero energy transition, and this mile-
stone reflects our shared commitment to designing for a sustain-
able future and achieving net zero together.’
SWISS SHEAR TECH EXPERT UNDER NEW
LEADERSHIP
Recycling equipment provider IUT Beyeler of Switzerland
has entered a new chapter under fresh ownership and
management. Company founder Peter Beyeler, a known
figure in the European and global recycling scene who
oversaw the launch of hundreds of recycling systems, has
handed over the reins to Ivo Nyffenegger.
Under Nyffenegger’s leadership, IUT Beyeler is poised for
continued success with a continuing commitment to provide
tailored, comprehensive services to its clients. The business
says it will remain an independent entity, building on its leg-
acy while embracing innovation and forward-thinking strate-
gies. Peter Beyeler will continue to support the company in
an advisory role.
‘IUT Beyeler has found a capable and reliable successor in
Ivo Nyffenegger,’ says Beyeler. ‘I am confident the company
will thrive under his leadership and maintain its high stan-
dards of customer service and expertise.’
Specialising in scrap shears, presses and pre-shredders,
including the Taurus brand and other leading manufacturers,
IUT Beyeler offers extensive technical expertise to the recy-
cling industry. With five employees and service locations in
Switzerland, Germany, Poland, and Austria, the company
ensures its clients receive end-to-end support.
The Taurus machines are manufactured in Daverio, Italy,
while spare parts are stocked at warehouses across Europe,
ensuring ‘swift’ availability and minimal downtime for cus-
tomers.
SWISS MERGER: THOMMEN GROUP GROWS
BIGGER
Major Swiss metals recycler Thommen Group has
acquired the Wiederkehr Group, also from Switzerland.
The agreement was finalised just before Christmas, with the
operational transfer scheduled for April 2025. The timeline
is subject to approval from competition authorities. Until
then, Peter Wiederkehr will continue to lead the Wiederkehr
Group.
The take-over includes Wiederkehr’s subsidiary businesses
Wiederkehr Recycling (Waltenschwil), AVO Wiederkehr
Recycling (Schwarzenbach), SMV Wiederkehr Recycling
(Lauchringen, Germany), as well as associated companies
Wierec Trading (Hünenberg) and Wierec Services
(Waltenschwil).
‘The acquisition builds on the exceptional work of Peter
Wiederkehr,’ says Thommen Group’s ceo Pouyan Dardashti.
‘He has created values that will continue to guide our future
direction: responsibility, foresight, and excellence.’
According to both companies, the acquisition marks ‘a sig-
nificant milestone’. All Wiederkehr Group sites will be
retained and the Wiederkehr Recycling brand will continue
to operate ‘independently, maintaining its strong identity
within the sector’.
Headquartered in Switzerland, Thommen Group operates
29 sites across five countries, under the Thommen,
Metallum, and Immark brand names.
LOTZKAR TO HEAD CANADA’S RECYCLING
INDUSTRY BODY
The Canadian Association of Recycling Industries (CARI)
has appointed Jacqueline Lotzkar as its new president
and ceo. In her previous role she was vice president at
Pacific Metals Recycling International in Vancouver. The
112-year-old family business was sold in 2024.
‘Jacqueline brings a wealth of experience and industry rec-
ognition to the role, positioning the organisation for con-
tinued success in the dynamic world of recycling,’ says
CARI. ‘A highly respected leader in the recycling industry,
Jacqueline was recently named one of Recycling
International Top 100 of most inspiring and innovative recy-
clers.’
Lotzkar’s industry involvement includes active membership
in the Recycled Materials Association (ReMA), where she
has worked closely with government officials in both the
US and Canada to advocate for the recycling and manufac-
turing industries.
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