Mixed metal waste, from scrap iron and car bodies to appliances and industrial waste, represents a valuable resource, but using it to its full potential requires separation into pure fractions of iron, steel, copper, and aluminum. A complete metal waste recycling plant performs this transformation on an industrial scale: the shredder reduces bulky material into processable fractions, while the magnetic and eddy current separators automatically recover the ferrous and non-ferrous metals at high purity.
An industrial metal waste recycling plant is the choice of scrap iron operators, metal recycling centers, and investors who process large volumes of mixed metal waste and want to maximize value through the automatic separation of the metals. See the full range of recycling equipment and the solutions for metal recovery.
Key Advantages for Industrial Metal Waste Processing
• Complete integrated flow, combines shredding, magnetic separation, and eddy current separation in a single automated flow.
• Shredder for bulky material, reduces car bodies, appliances, and bulky metal waste to processable fractions.
• Magnetic separation for ferrous metals, efficient extraction of iron and steel from the mix.
• Eddy current for non-ferrous metals, recovery of copper and aluminum through eddy currents.
• Pure, sellable fractions, iron, steel, copper, and aluminum separated at high purity.
• Industrial capacity, sized for large volumes, continuous operation.
• PLC control, automated flow with monitoring and alarm.
• Modular, the stages are chosen and sized according to the type of waste and the capacity.
Technical Specifications, Metal Waste Recycling Plant
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Feedstock | Mixed metal waste: scrap iron, car bodies, appliances, industrial waste |
| Stage 1, Shredding | Shredder for reducing bulky material |
| Stage 2, Magnetic separation | Iron and steel extraction |
| Stage 3, Eddy current | Copper and aluminum separation |
| Recovered products | Pure fractions of iron/steel, copper, aluminum |
| Control | PLC, continuous flow, monitoring |
| Dust capture | Integrated filtration system |
| Components | CE marked where applicable |
| Capacity | Configurable according to the project |
Applications for a Complete Metal Recycling Line
A metal waste recycling plant serves high-volume scrap iron operators, metal recycling centers, auto dismantlers, and industries that generate metal waste from the processing or demolition of equipment. At industrial volumes, the automatic separation of metals into pure fractions is the decisive economic factor: each pure fraction sells at a significantly higher price than unsorted mixed metal scrap.
Metal waste management on an industrial scale is regulated at the European level; a metal waste recycling plant delivered in Europe is designed in line with the requirements of Directive 2008/98/EC on waste. For integration into a complete metal recovery flow, see also the complete industry solutions.
The shredder solves the problem of bulky material: car bodies, large appliances, and large metal waste cannot enter the separators directly. The shredder reduces them to fractions of a few centimeters, freeing the metals from one another at the same time and allowing the magnetic and eddy current separators to work efficiently on the fragmented material.
Separation into pure fractions transforms the economics of the scrap iron operator: instead of selling mixed metal scrap at the lowest price, the operator sells separate fractions of steel, copper, and aluminum, each at its market price. Copper and aluminum, in particular, have much higher prices than mixed scrap iron, and their automatic separation captures this difference in value.
Industrial capacity allows the processing of the large volumes that justify the investment: at tens or hundreds of tons processed daily, economy of scale reduces the processing cost per ton and quickly amortizes the investment in precision separators. Operators with volume contracts with smelters and refineries benefit the most from a high-capacity plant that processes continuously and delivers fractions to a consistent specification.
Modularity allows optimal configuration for the specific type of waste: an operator who mainly processes appliances needs a different configuration from one who processes car bodies or industrial waste. The shredding, magnetic separation, eddy current, and refining stages are chosen and sized according to the composition of the material and the desired capacity.
Processable Materials
| Material | Notes |
|---|---|
| Mixed scrap iron | Various ferrous waste |
| Car bodies and auto components | After pre-treatment (removal of fluids, tires) |
| Large appliances | Washing machines, refrigerators (after degassing) |
| Industrial metal waste | From processing and demolition |
| Metal profiles and sheets | Reduced by the shredder |
How It Works
1. The mixed metal waste is fed into the shredder.
2. The shredder reduces the bulky material to fractions of a few centimeters.
3. The magnetic separator extracts the ferrous fractions (iron, steel).
4. The remaining non-ferrous fraction enters the eddy current separator.
5. The eddy current separates copper and aluminum from non-conductive materials.
6. The pure fractions are collected separately; the dust is captured by the filtration system.
The PLC system coordinates all stages and signals anomalies. A correctly sized metal waste recycling plant produces pure metal fractions at consistent quality, maximizing the value recovered from each ton of metal waste processed.
Frequently Asked Questions
What volumes can a metal waste recycling plant process?
The capacity is configured according to the project, from a few tons per hour to tens of tons per hour for high-capacity industrial plants. The sizing of the shredder, the separators, and the transport systems is done together, for a balanced flow without bottlenecks at any point in the plant.
Which metals does it separate and at what purity?
It separates the ferrous fractions (iron, steel) through magnetic separation and the non-ferrous metals (copper, aluminum) through eddy current. The purity depends on the adjustment of the separators and on the composition of the material; a well-adjusted plant produces fractions pure enough for direct sale to smelters.
Can I process whole car bodies?
Car bodies require pre-treatment (removal of fluids, tires, battery) before shredding, in accordance with ELV regulations. After pre-treatment, the body can be processed with an appropriately sized shredder, which reduces it to fractions processable for separation.
Can the plant be expanded later?
Yes. The plant is modular: you can add additional separation stages, precision separators for specific fractions, or shredding capacity. The new modules integrate with the existing plant, protecting the initial investment.
Why URSTAG?
URSTAG is a premium brand of recycling equipment, with over 15 years of experience. You don't just get a machine, you get a solution engineered by specialists, built from top-tier components and backed by a team that supports you from design through commissioning.
• European engineering, every machine and every complete line is designed by our engineering teams in Europe, with a focus on reliability, safety and energy efficiency.
• Premium components, we build on motors and automation from industry leaders: Siemens, Schneider Electric, ABB, WEG, SEW-Eurodrive, NORD Drivesystems and Bonfiglioli.
• Over 15 years of experience, we know how materials and machines behave in real-world operation, and we configure each solution for your flow and volume.
• New equipment, configured for you, we supply new units, made to order for your application, with complete technical documentation.
• Delivery, installation and training included, we handle transport, commissioning and operator training, with support throughout the equipment's life.
As a premium brand, URSTAG relies on European engineering, top-tier components and experience. You choose a partner that supports your production long term, with equipment built to run reliably in demanding industrial environments.
