Page 50 - Hub-4 Magazine ISsue 64

Recycling - Metals
Unlocking the value of ‘hidden’ metals By Gary Moore, metal recycling specialist, UNTHA UK
The world of metal recycling is never straightforward, with sometimes the slightest market variable causing significant volatility in global trade. But throw COVID-19 into the mix, and like many industries, scrap
became an even more complex place to be.
When lockdown was first announced, certain countries, such as Italy, brought everything to a halt. Others saw reduced capacity, with only 40% of larger yards remaining operational in France, for example, and smaller to medium sized sites closing their doors. Merchants were restricted by curfew hours in places
like Saudi Arabia, while in the UK and USA, the
industry was granted critical status, meaning yards could stay open.
It was perhaps unsurprising to see such geographical
variances, which added to the difficulties
surrounding the movement of materials in the earlier weeks.
There have certainly been periods of
slower trade, but there have
also been rallying cries for scrap
businesses to get the credit they deserve for being the lifeblood of the resource sector.
Our own – albeit anecdotal – conversations with industry have revealed a number of large
MRFs and metal recycling specialists pressing ahead with innovation when it comes to the handling of scrap. Because still, too much metallurgical content remains hidden or locked within redundant products, which continues to limit the amount of material salvaged for smelting. And some niche operators are determined to address this. They’re looking to the future.
IT equipment
Shredded mixed alloys
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www.hub-4.com Sept/October 2020 - Issue 64