Comment period extended for Benson aluminium recycling project

The Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ) announced on Monday that the deadline for comments on the proposed aluminium recycling plant in Benson has been extended. Originally set to end on August 21, the new deadline is now September 16, following requests from community members for more time to review the draft permit materials in greater detail.

This plant, which is being developed by Aluminium Dynamics, Inc., a subsidiary of Steel Dynamics, will be a significant recycling operation capable of processing up to 300,000 tonnes of aluminium scrap annually.

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The 174,000-square-foot facility will be situated on a 200-acre site and is designed to produce recycled aluminium ingots for downstream users across industries such as sustainable beverage packaging, automotive, and construction. Once approved, the plant will operate 24/7, with the target operational date set for July 16, 2025.

The facility’s design includes shredders, a rotary kiln decoater, melt furnaces, a holding furnace, and an in-line fluxer that uses non-reactive argon gas. The finished products will primarily be transported by rail, reducing the need for long-haul trucking. The ADEQ has been collecting public feedback as part of the air quality permit process, and with the extended comment period, residents and stakeholders have more time to provide their input.

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