In view of global environmental problems and the increasing scarcity of resources effective recycling is now more important than ever. Skapa Recycling GmbH, in collaboration with REDWAVE, has made significant progress in aluminum recycling. By using state-of-the-art technologies and optimized processes, they maximize the recyclability of aluminum cans while reducing the environmental impact.
The importance of aluminum recycling
Aluminum is an exceptional material: it can be reused almost indefinitely without losing quality. Recycling an aluminum beverage can saves enormous amounts of resources and energy compared to new production, as only about five percent of the energy required for production from bauxite is needed. However, of the 12,000 tons of used aluminium beverage cans (UBC) on the Austrian market, only around 6,000 tons are officially recycled and often only processed into low-quality alloys.
Skapa’s commitment to sustainable recycling
Skapa has been actively promoting change in the recycling sector since 2011. They process used beverage cans in a modern processing plant in eastern Austria. The end product, cleaned and briquetted UBC, is tied up on pallets and delivered to specialized can alloy manufacturers throughout Europe. Skapa aims to ensure that every can finds its way back into recycling – from can to can.
At a later date, this width can then be extended to a greater width with minimal effort in order to process higher throughputs. Skalnik also operates a large part of its machine technology with electricity from its photovoltaic system in order to minimize the plant’s CO2 footprint.
Motivation and vision for the future
Motivated by a strong environmental awareness and the desire to increase added value in Austria, Skapa decided to integrate the REDWAVE XRF sorting machine. Despite initial scepticism, the company took the plunge and today the production plant processes up to 15,000 tons per year, with the prospect of increasing this capacity to 20,000 tons. “Next year we’ll have the deposit. That’s not a problem for me at all,” explains Skalnik. “Our aim was to reduce the finished product and instead process semi-finished products that contain valuable materials. We export worldwide, from Saudi Arabia to Korea and Malaysia.”
A success story of progress
Skapa first came across REDWAVE in 2015, but at the time the company was still considered too small. Today, Skapa produces over 1,000 tons of material containing heavy metals and relies on the precision of REDWAVE technology. “The machine has been running for almost six months now and the product is really impressive,” says Skalnik enthusiastically. “Fine adjustments have been made to the copper and brass extraction and the system will pay for itself in two to three years.”
Skapa’s collaboration with REDWAVE is a prime example of successful cooperation in the recycling sector. The flexibility and quality of the machine, combined with Skapa’s own innovative spirit, have created a milestone in aluminum recycling. With the introduction of the deposit system and the continuous improvement of recycling processes, Skapa is ideally equipped for the challenges ahead. “We are ready for the future and will continue to do everything we can to increase the recycling rate and optimize our processes,” says Skalnik.
[Source: https://redwave.com/; News]
