A worker inspects shredded material at a Glencore sampling facility in Rhode Island. | Courtesy of Glencore
Glencore has been recovering copper and precious metals from e-scrap since the 1980s. But multiple trends are now forcing the world’s largest mining and metals company to adapt to changing markets: a push to decarbonize the transportation sector, efforts to shorten and bolster supply chains, and innovations in consumer electronics design and manufacturing.
Noveon’s EcoFlux magnet requires 20% less material than traditionally produced magnets and requires 10% less energy to manufacture. | Courtesy of Noveon
When the founders of Noveon decided to tackle rare earth magnet recycling, they started at the beginning of the product’s life cycle instead of the end.
Morgan Stanley noted that Korea Zinc bought the remaining 24.5% of Igneo Holdings for $110 million. On July 11, Korea Zinc paid $332 million for a majority stake. | REDPIXEL.PL/Shutterstock
Korea Zinc now owns 100% of Igneo Holdings after purchasing a majority stake in July.
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IRT is capturing high-definition photos of printed circuit boards so AI-powered software can learn to categorize them by precious metals content. | Courtesy of IRT
Integrated Recycling Technologies is developing an AI-powered app for its suppliers that will quickly categorize and price their scrap circuit boards before they ship them. The software will also power the company’s own robotic circuit board sorting system.
An October 2022 Google image showing the Bulmahns’ farm at right and the site of the planned Exurban smelter at left behind the trees. | Google Streetview
Owners of a farm across the road from a planned e-scrap smelter in Indiana filed a lawsuit seeking to halt the project, arguing that a facility of its type isn’t allowed by the local zoning code.
Apple’s latest iPad Pro is made with recycled gold, copper, aluminum, tin and rare earth elements. | Courtesy of Apple
Apple has released products made with recycled metals, is reiterating a call for its suppliers to become carbon neutral and plans to adopt USB-C chargers to comply with European Union law.
Glencore’s Horne smelter is facing public concerns over air pollution. | Courtesy of Glencore
The top government official in Quebec suggested public concerns over air pollution could lead the province to close Glencore’s Horne smelting site, a key downstream for North America’s e-scrap.
The BPS Container Loading System has a surge hopper with a holding capacity of about 15 cubic yards and includes a manually adjustable product flow control gate. | Courtesy of BPS
Ferrous and non-ferrous metals can be quickly placed in 20-ft. and 40-ft. shipping containers using the Best Process Solutions Container Loading System.
Jewelry makers are trying to source enough material to keep up with demand for recycled metal in their products. | corollas/Shutterstock
Jewelry made from recycled gold and silver is becoming more popular, especially among younger consumers.
Researchers found unique interactions between graphene and gold ions yield exceptional selectivity in extraction from e-scrap. | Dominic Warren/Shutterstock
A cutting-edge method of recovering gold from solutions works without energy inputs, lab testing found.