Pioneer in the Japanese Market for the Reuse of Premium Stainless Steel and Cable Materials
Copper and Stainless Steel Recycling Plant Opens in Japan
Hey there, let's talk about the freshly operational metal recycling plant by MATEC Inc., a major metal recycling firm in Japan. Situated in Tomakomai, neighboring Sapporo, this state-of-the-art facility is equipped with one of the world's most advanced processing systems for end-of-life vehicle shredder residue (ELV). Operating in a country known for its technological prowess and high recycling rates, this plant leads the pack in Japan, with an impressive annual production capacity of 30,000 tons.
Stepping into the realm of resource recycling, MATEC leans on STEINERT's game-changing separation technologies to streamline material handling.
Maximizing Metal Recovery
This new MATEC ASR plant collects and refines shredder light fractions (SLF) and Zorba materials from a total of six other MATEC plants. The plant consists of two distinctive separation lines, tailored for different material and target metal streams. One line is focused on recovering stainless steel and heavy metals, while the other concentrates on separating metals from a light fraction. Even the tiniest particles, less than 6 mm, receive the green light for processing and integration into the recycling process. The Tomakomai factory utilizes a total of 10 STEINERT sensor-based separation systems, 6 non-ferrous metal separators, and 2 eddy current separators.
Precision for Stainless Steel and Copper
The primary mission of the plant is to recover stainless steel and cable materials (copper) from shredder residues. The heavy fraction line processes material in various grain sizes and navigates through several separation stages. MATEC harnesses highly advanced separation technology, featuring non-ferrous metal separators, upstream magnetic separators, STEINERT ISS induction separation systems, and cutting-edge STEINERT KSS CLI systems incorporating induction, 3D, and color detection sensors. These systems work in sync to ensure a seamless process for separating metal streams ranging from 30-60 mm and 60-120 mm.
For fractions measuring between 6-30 mm, the emphasis shifts to copper extraction. The STEINERT ISS and KSS CLI systems efficiently isolate the cable fraction in these sizes. Fines smaller than 6 mm undergo a distinctive processing stream, focusing particularly on Zorba metal separation.
Optimizing Shredder Light Fractions
The system maintains precision during the processing of shredder light fractions as well. Particles smaller than 25 mm and larger than 25 mm navigate through non-ferrous metal separators and induction separation systems, which filter out all metals. These metal concentrates then advance to a downstream system with X-ray transmission (XRT). The remaining fractions, consisting mainly of plastics, rubber, and similar materials, get repurposed as fuel for the local cement industry, thus fostering resource-saving recycling.
Quality throughout with Zenki and STEINERT
Zenki, a company recognized for its premier steel construction solutions, contributed to the plant's structure upon which the separation systems are mounted. Armin Vogel, regional sales director for Asia at STEINERT, shared his thoughts: "By combining professional steel construction knowledge with our recycling expertise, we engineered a plant that establishes new milestones in shredder residue processing." Serhii Govorovskyi, foreign relations manager at MATEC, commented on STEINERT's track record for dependability: "STEINERT consistently delivers robust and reliable hardware, along with top-notch technical support. Their equipment stands out as the most dependable on the market."
A Symphony of Sustainability and Innovation
The ASR plant in Tomakomai is a shining example of what happens when technology and sustainability join hands. Advanced separation solutions from STEINERT ensure the efficient recovery of precious metals from shredder residues while the residual fractions are utilized as fuel or raw materials. This circular economy accomplishment not only safeguards valuable resources but also significantly reduces the carbon footprint of the sector.
By embracing cutting-edge recycling technology, MATEC is paving the way for the Japanese recycling industry and affirming its pioneering role in reclaiming valuable resources. The company's motto, 'I ❤️ RECYCLE', echoes its dedication to environmental consciousness and its position as a global leader in the field. STEINERT stands poised to back other companies globally with customizable solutions and to spearhead the upcoming leap towards a sustainable future.
The Tomakomai factory utilizes technology in the form of ten STEINERT sensor-based separation systems, six non-ferrous metal separators, and two eddy current separators, demonstrating MATEC's commitment to maximizing metal recovery and optimizing shredder light fractions as part of their circular economy initiative. Moreover, the advanced separation technology, including STEINERT ISS and KSS CLI systems, work synergistically to recover stainless steel and cable materials (copper), showcasing the symphony of sustainability and innovation that drives MATEC's operations.
