Aurubis Unveils Advanced Recycling Plant in Belgium, Boosting Metal Recovery and Sustainability Efforts

(IN BRIEF) Aurubis has inaugurated its new Advanced Sludge Processing by Aurubis (ASPA) plant in Beerse, Belgium. This €33 million facility, developed in-house, enhances the recovery of tin and precious metals from anode sludges, a by-product of copper refining. The ASPA plant aims to improve recycling efficiency and align with Aurubis’s sustainability goals. The investment also creates about 20 new jobs and strengthens Aurubis’s position in the European circular economy. This development is part of a broader strategic push that includes new facilities in the USA and Belgium, highlighting Aurubis’s commitment to global recycling advancements.

(PRESS RELEASE) BEERSE, 5-Sep-2024 — /EuropaWire/ — In a significant leap forward for sustainable metal recycling, Aurubis has inaugurated its new Advanced Sludge Processing by Aurubis (ASPA) plant at its Beerse site. The €33 million investment marks a major milestone in the company’s ongoing commitment to advancing recycling technologies and strengthening its role in the European circular economy.

The ASPA facility, designed and developed in-house by Aurubis, represents a cutting-edge approach to processing anode sludges, a by-product of electrolytic copper refining. This state-of-the-art hydrometallurgical process enhances the efficiency of extracting tin and precious metals from these sludges, offering faster recovery rates and full tin recovery—a first in the industry.

Strategic Expansion and Job Creation

The new plant not only pushes the boundaries of recycling technology but also contributes to the local economy by creating approximately 20 new jobs at the Beerse site. This expansion aligns with Aurubis’s broader strategic goals of optimizing material flows and integrating its European operations for greater synergy.

Dirk Vandenberghe, Managing Director of Aurubis Beerse, commented on the achievement, “The launch of the ASPA facility is a testament to the dedication and expertise of our team. It exemplifies our commitment to sustainable practices and enhances our capacity to recycle metals efficiently, contributing significantly to the circular economy.”

Global Impact and Future Investments

Aurubis continues to cement its status as a leader in the global recycling sector. In addition to the Beerse plant, the company is set to open a new recycling facility in Georgia, USA, and another at its Olen site in Belgium. These initiatives are part of Aurubis’s strategic roadmap to bolster its position as a pivotal player in sustainable metal recovery.

COO Inge Hofkens emphasized, “Our investments in advanced recycling technologies like ASPA underscore our role in the European circular economy. By innovating and expanding our capabilities, we are setting new standards for efficiency and sustainability in metal recycling.”

Community and Environmental Commitment

Local officials, including Bart Craane, Mayor of Beerse, have praised the project’s positive impact on both the environment and the community. “The ASPA project is a great example of how industry and sustainability can go hand in hand. It’s an investment in both our future and our environment,” Craane remarked.

About Aurubis Beerse

Aurubis Beerse is a key facility within Aurubis’s global operations, processing over 200,000 tons of multimetal scrap annually. This plant, along with others in the Aurubis network, plays a critical role in recycling over 1 million tons of materials each year, reinforcing Aurubis’s position as a leading global copper recycler.

For more information about Aurubis’s innovative recycling solutions and global operations, visit Aurubis.

The plant in Beerse processes more than 200,000 tons of multimetal scrap annually — ranging from complex residues to higher-grade scrap types — from which metals, metal products, and minerals are produced. Since the acquisition of the sites in Beerse and Berango in 2020, Aurubis has further expanded its role as one of the world’s leading copper recyclers and now processes a total of more than 1 million tons of recycling materials per year.

Aurubis — Metals for Progress
Aurubis AG is a leading global provider of non-ferrous metals and one of the largest copper recyclers worldwide. The company processes complex metal concentrates, scrap metals, organic and inorganic metal-bearing recycling materials, and industrial residues into metals
of the highest quality. Aurubis produces more than 1 million tons of copper cathodes annually, and from them a variety of products such as wire rod, continuous cast shapes, profiles, and flat rolled products made of copper and copper alloys. Aurubis produces a number of other metals as well, including precious metals, selenium, lead, nickel, tin and zinc. The portfolio also includes additional products such as sulfuric acid and iron silicate.

Sustainability is a fundamental part of the Aurubis strategy. “Aurubis responsibly transforms raw materials into value” — following this maxim, the company integrates sustainable conduct and business activities into the corporate culture. This involves a careful approach
to natural resources, responsible social and ecological conduct in everyday business, and sensible, healthy growth.

Aurubis has around 6,900 employees, production sites in Europe and the US, and an extensive distribution network around the world.

Aurubis shares are part of the Prime Standard Segment of the German Stock Exchange and are listed in the MDAX, the Global Challenges Index (GCX), and the STOXX Europe 600.

Aurubis Unveils Advanced Recycling Plant in Belgium, Boosting Metal Recovery and Sustainability Efforts

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