Page 17 from: September 2007

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The Shanghai Nonferrous Metals
Trade Association (SNMTA) has
unveiled the Shanghai Nonferrous
Metals Index (SMMI) as a means of
reflecting the fundamentals within
the non-ferrous metals industry and
of providing industrial participants
with price trend guidance.

The index covers spot prices for six
non-ferrous metals – copper, alumini-
um, nickel, lead, zinc and tin – which
together account for 90% of China’s
non-ferrous metals output. The refer-
ence level of 1000 is based on the spot
price quoted on April 1 2003. The
weighting for each non-ferrous metal
has been set in accordance with its
market share according to figures pro-
vided by the State Statistics Bureau
and China Customs (copper 36.9%,

aluminium 32.9%, nickel 4.7%, lead
14%, zinc 2.2% and tin 9.3%).
According to the SNMTA, weightings
will be adjusted every two years
to reflect industry developments.

A total of 105 enterprises – ranging
from producers of non-ferrous metals
to the companies trading in them –
have been selected to provide pricing
references. These companies include
12 listed companies in the non-fer-
rous metals industry such as Chalco,
Jiangxi Copper and Yunan Copper.

The composite spot index for the
six metals is to be published at noon
every weekday and is expected to be
closely monitored by buyers and sell-
ers. According to the SNMTA, the
index reveals not only the price
trends for each metal but also takes

The Shanghai Nonferrous Metals Index (SMMI)
covers spot prices for six non-ferrous metals –
copper, aluminium, nickel, lead, zinc and tin.

Launch of Shanghai
Nonferrous Metals Index

A research project involving
Cardiff University in Wales and the
University of Birmingham in
England is focusing on the recycling
of precious metals from road dusts
and vehicle exhausts.

Catalytic converters reduce vehicle
exhaust pollutants to an acceptable
level; all use platinum in their construc-
tion but, over their years in use, this
precious metal is slowly lost through
exhaust pipes. Dr Hazel Prichard of the
School of Earth Ocean and Planetary
Sciences of Cardiff University believes
that many kilogrammes of platinum
are being sprayed on to streets and
roads every year.

She comments: ‘Platinum is a vital
component not only of catalytic convert-
ers but also of fuel cells. Fuel cells are
an important new source of clean ener-
gy. Platinum is a precious metal and
resources are scarce and expensive.
Our research is looking at ways of recy-
cling platinum and other precious met-
als.’ Her team is aiming to find loca-
tions where platinum is sufficiently
concentrated for cost-effective and sus-
tainable recovery; a prime focus for
study is road-sweeper waste containers.

The same universities also explor-
ing how food wastes and ‘friendly’
bacteria can be harnessed to create
greener energy. The goal is to devise
techniques to produce clean fuel cells
to create reliable, greener energy
while minimising waste.

For more information:
www.earth.cardiff.ac.uk

Streets
paved with
platinum

account of the interactions between
different markets.

Establishment of the composite
index should also provide the
Chinese government with a simpli-
fied approach to monitoring the
industry and enable it to draft
appropriate regulatory policies.

World-first claimed by Global Resource
Gershow Recycling of Medford,

New York, USA, has purchased a
conversion machine for auto shred-
der residue (ASR) from US-based
Global Resource Corp. (GRC) which,
the manufacturer claims, is the
world’s first 100% emission- and pol-
lutant-free green recycling machine.

GRC is supplying Gershow with
the HAWK 10 which uses new tech-
nology to reduce ASR sent to landfills
by around 65%. The process gener-
ates virtually no emissions linked to
global warming, according to GRC.

The HAWK 10 system uses high
microwave frequencies to convert

auto fluff into oil and gas. The gas is
then used in a closed-loop system to
fuel the next round of material
breakdown without emitting harm-
ful waste. This process will signifi-
cantly reduce the amount of waste
that Gershow sends to landfill, while
conducting it in a closed-loop system
that eliminates pollutants.

‘Imagine running a major indus-
trial process like recycling with neg-
ligible fuel costs and zero emissions,’
says Kevin Gershowitz, Executive
VP of Gershow Recycling. ‘It seems
like the stuff of science fiction, but
it’s real, it’s proven, and it’s avail-

able right now to companies like
Gershow who grasp the importance
of fighting global warming.
Recyclers are only part of the solu-
tion. We too must strive for the same
efficiencies and green production
processes that challenge industries
everywhere. Our agreement to
acquire Global Resource Corp.’s
HAWK 10 is a major step forward
toward deploying processes that
make sound business and environ-
mental sense.’

For more information:
www.globalresourcecorp.com

RI_006 NEWS:Opmaak 1 05-09-2007 12:18 Pagina 17