Trimet builds 40,000-tpa aluminium scrap sorting hub as recycled metal demand rises

Trimet is bringing aluminium scrap sorting and processing in-house at a new German facility, using laser technology to improve recycled metal quality and raw material security.

Trimet Aluminium is preparing to open a new aluminium recycling site in Hamm, Germany, as growing demand for recycled metal puts greater pressure on international scrap markets.

The facility, which is scheduled to start operations in October, will process and sort aluminium scrap at a planned capacity of 40,000 tonnes per year. Trimet said the site will strengthen supplies of high-quality recycled raw materials to foundries and remelting plants while reducing its reliance on external processing partners.

Laser technology sorts 150 pieces of scrap per second

The centrepiece of the new operation is an automated sorting system using LIBS laser technology to analyse the composition of aluminium scrap.

Scrap can contain different alloying elements and therefore requires precise sorting before it can be returned to the production cycle. Trimet's system uses spectroscopy to assess up to 150 pieces per second, identifying elements such as silicon, copper, iron and magnesium.

Once the material has been analysed, targeted air pulses automatically direct the scrap into the appropriate material fraction. A scrap press then compresses the sorted material into packages suitable for transport and subsequent melting. 

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Trimet targets greater control over recycled aluminium supply

The Hamm facility will bring sorting and processing steps that have largely been handled by external partners into Trimet's own operations.

The company said integrating these processes into production planning at its aluminium smelters and recycling plants will give it greater flexibility in managing alloy supplies and reduce dependence on primary raw materials.

More precise sorting can also improve the quality of recycling streams and support aluminium products containing higher proportions of recycled material.

Philipp Schlüter, CEO of Trimet Aluminium SE, said the new facility would help the company strengthen material cycles as industry undergoes its transformation.

“With the new location in Hamm, we are creating additional independence in the supply of raw materials and at the same time strengthening our ability to provide high-quality recycled materials for industry," he stated. 

Trimet said the improved material sorting and greater use of recycled feedstock can also help improve the CO2 balance of its materials. 

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