Researchers have been granted a technology license for a method to recover precious metals from personal computers. | Dario Lo Presti/Shutterstock
A public-private research group established by the United States Department of Energy granted a technology license for a way to use gas-assisted solvents to extract precious metals from used electronics more easily.
Research from S&P Global found a push toward clean energy sources will drive total demand for copper from 25 million metric tons today to about 50 million metric tons by 2035. | Flegere/Shutterstock
Electrification is going to require huge amounts of copper in the coming decades, so much so that boosting mining, recycling and materials substitution together won’t be enough to meet demand, according to a study.
Global metals player JX Nippon has purchased Canadian e-scrap processor eCycle Solutions. | IgorGolovniov/Shutterstock
Japanese company JX Nippon Mining and Metals has purchased one of Canada’s largest e-scrap companies, eCycle Solutions. It’s the second example in the past month of an Asian smelting giant acquiring North American e-scrap operations to ensure a steady supply of feedstock.
An acid-free dissolution method can selectively target rare earths for extraction. | Bokstaz/Shutterstock
A technology that will allow recyclers to extract valuable metals from e-scrap like shredded hard drives without affecting the other materials is entering its pilot plant stage.
Korea Zinc’s deal creates a vertically integrated global e-scrap entity that will control material from collection all the way through to final smelting. | Pavel Kapysh/Shutterstock
Metals giant Korea Zinc is set to control e-scrap recycling and secondary processing operations in the U.S. and Europe, striking a $332 million deal to acquire a majority stake in Igneo Technologies.
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The staff of GreenChip’s Brooklyn, N.Y. operation, with Managing Partner Bill Monteleone on the far right. | Courtesy of GreenChip
Responding to client needs as well as market shifts around plastics and other materials, e-scrap and ITAD company GreenChip has plans to significantly expand in Virginia.
A number of analysts suggest that a drop in copper prices could be a signal of a more widespread economic slowdown. | Flegere/Shutterstock
The price of copper has taken a tumble lately, driven by anxieties over slowing economic activity globally.
E-scrap shredding operations are taking place at evTerra’s Atlanta facility, but several other facilities are in the works. | Courtesy of Igneo
E-scrap firm evTerra has plans to soon be running four plants across the U.S., part of a strategy to ensure a steady stream of material to the Igneo secondary smelter slated for Savannah, Ga.
Environmental group Savannah Riverkeeper is opposing a planned Aurubis smelter over air pollution concerns. | Soyan Yotov/Shutterstock
A large copper smelter slated to be built in Georgia has run into resistance from a local group, even as a judge signed off on millions in bond authority for the construction.
A report said the world’s stock of raw elements is at risk of running out and called for industries to shift away from mining the Earth to mining old devices for needed material. | Cam Laird/Shutterstock
A study on global metals recycling identified feedstock reliability, technology limitations and product design choices as barriers to increasing recycled metal usage.