Recycling Product News March 2022, Volume 30, Number 1

THE FUTURE OF AUTO RECYCLING SHIFTING THROUGH OPPORTUNITIES AND CHALLENGES

FERROUS MARKETS REBALANCING AFTER BLOCKBUSTER 2021 MARCH 2022 recyclingproductnews.com PUBLICATIONS MAIL AGREEMENT NO. 40069270

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COVER STORY THE FUTURE OF AUTO RECYCLING

28 16

FERROUS MARKETS REBALANCING

38

MACHINE UPDATES IMPROVE SAFETY

HORIZONTAL BALERS

March 2022 | Volume 30, Number 2

FEATURES

DEPARTMENTS & SECTIONS

16

8

From the Editor

10

News Room

14

Spotlight

16

Metals Recycling

22

Auto Recycling

28

Material Handling

32

Plastics Recycling

38

Equipment Roundup

42

Last Word

46

Advertiser Index

20

Ferrous markets rebalancing after blockbuster 2021 WENDT commissions non-ferrous recycling plant for Moffatt Scrap Iron & Metal

21

Bunting project shows 15 percent aluminum recovery from dross

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The future of auto recycling

28

Machine updates improve heavy equipment safety

32

Sorting solutions close the loop on film and flexible packaging recycling

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Eastman to build world’s largest molecular plastics recycling facility

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Technology-enabled horizontal balers streamline operations

MARCH 2022 | VOLUME 30 • NUMBER 2 EDITOR IN CHIEF Kaitlyn Till ktill@baumpub.com 604-291-9900 ext. 330 EDITORIAL DIRECTOR Arturo Santiago asantiago@baumpub.com 604-291-9900 ext. 310 EDITOR Slone Fox sfox@baumpub.com 604-291-9900 ext. 335 ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER/ VICE PRESIDENT OF SALES Sam Esmaili sam@baumpub.com 604-291-9900 ext. 110

FROM THE COVER: THE FUTURE OF AUTO RECYCLING End-of-life vehicles present a challenge for the auto recycling industry as recyclers navigate pandemicrelated change, the implications of this change, electric ELVs, and what the future holds for the industry.

ADVERTISING PRODUCTION MANAGER Tina Anderson production@baumpub.com 604-291-9900 ext. 222 DESIGN & PRODUCTION Morena Zanotto morena@baumpub.com 604-291-9900 ext. 325 PRESIDENT/PUBLISHER Ken Singer ksinger@baumpub.com 604-291-9900 ext. 226 VICE PRESIDENT/CONTROLLER Melvin Date Chong mdatechong@baumpub.com FOUNDER Engelbert J. Baum

Published by: Baum Publications Ltd. 124 - 2323 Boundary Road Vancouver, BC, Canada V5M 4V8 Tel: 604-291-9900 Toll-free: 1-888-286-3630 Fax: 604-291-1906 www.baumpub.com www.recyclingproductnews.com @RecyclingPN FOR ALL CIRCULATION INQUIRIES Toll-free: 1-866-764-0227 email: rpn@mysubscription.ca

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Drop us a line any time.

Contact: Editor Slone Fox at sfox@baumpub.com or 604-291-9900 ext. 335

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FROM THE EDITOR

FROM THE EDITOR WHAT GOES WHERE?

W

hen I woke up on my first day as the new editor of Recycling Product News, I was disappointed to find that no one had uploaded the full spectrum of industry knowledge straight to my temporal lobe like some kind of overnight software update. Stepping into my new role didn’t miraculously grant me decades of experience and expertise like I had hoped. I still get overwhelmed at food courts when it comes time to dispose of the things on my tray. Are these particular utensils compostable? What exactly is this container made out of? Which bin do I put it in?

It can feel like there are simultaneously too many and too few options. I sort my waste as best I can, put the tray in the return pile, and turn around only to see someone else facing the exact same dilemma that I just had. They weigh their options, notice the line growing behind them, and then dump the entire contents of the tray into the garbage can in defeat – something that has probably already happened hundreds of times that day. It’s clear that there is more for all of us to learn about recycling, including me.

I’ve been involved with Recycling Product News for a number of years now as Baum Publications’ digital editor, and am excited to fully immerse myself in an industry that I have already been paying attention to and actively participating in, albeit at a bit of a distance as I simultaneously worked on our other publications. While interviewing key players and covering news releases for the recycling, composting, and waste-to-energy sectors is comfortable and familiar territory for me, stepping into this new role allows me to expand on my existing industry knowledge and provides an opportunity for even deeper learning.

As Recycling Product News celebrates its 30th anniversary this year, I hope to be writing the editor’s letter for our 50th, 75th, and maybe even 100th anniversary. We’ve covered a lot of ground as a publication in the last few decades, and there’s

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We’ve covered a lot of ground as a publication in the last few decades, and there’s still more work to be done as the industry shifts and changes. still more work to be done as the industry shifts and changes.

I look forward to working alongside the recycling community as we all strive towards a common goal of establishing a more circular economy and creating a world with less waste, something that I want to actively participate in rather than just write about.

It is both invigorating and exciting to look towards the wealth of knowledge that is available to me in this industry, and I look forward to meeting industry stakeholders face-to-face later this month at the 2022 ISRI Convention and Exposition, my first industry event as editor.

SLONE FOX Editor sfox@baumpub.com recyclingproductnews.com

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NEWS ROOM

CALIFORNIA LAUNCHES CIRCULARITY PROJECTS FOCUSED ON REPAIR AND REUSE OF TEXTILES

T STAY CURRENT www.recyclingproductnews.com CONNECT WITH US

@RecyclingPN

he California Product Stewardship Council is facilitating four publicly funded textile projects focused on repair and reuse.

San Francisco has launched a garment repair pilot with Goodwill to train staff in separating salvageable materials into categories, from clothes that just need to be ironed, to those in such disrepair that only scraps can be recovered for upcycling.

The materials will be processed by vendors, then the refurbished goods will be returned to Goodwill to sell.

In Los Angeles City and County, the projects focus on the discards of brands and retailers, as well as materials from hotels, hospitals, and detention centres. These materials are then taken to subcontracted processors, such as universities that will incorporate the materials into student projects.

In Alameda County, the work entails updating and expanding textile/recovery and repair vendor listings in a searchable database that helps residents learn what they can do with belongings they no longer want, from household appliances, to furniture, to food for donation.

The project will add about 60 more vendors in the textile reuse and repair category, all of which are direct-to-consumer services.

ZENWTR RECEIVES PLASTIC NEGATIVE CERTIFICATION

Z

enWTR has become the first beverage brand to receive the Plastic Negative Brand Certification from the Plastic Credit Exchange for its bottles made from 100 percent recycled, ocean-bound plastic from at-risk coastal environments.

ZenWTR has committed to making its entire portfolio plastic negative and is supporting programs that recover and recycle at least 200 percent of its annual plastic footprint.

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CALL2RECYCLE COLLECTED OVER EIGHT MILLION POUNDS OF BATTERIES IN 2021

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all2Recycle’s annual battery collection data shows that more than 8.1 million pounds of consumer batteries were collected in the United States for recycling throughout 2021. Despite continued challenges from COVID-19, total 2021 battery collections were just 3.2 percent lower than in 2020, attributable to a drop in single-use batteries. The data also shows a 12.3 percent increase in lithium-ion battery collection, which drove a 5 percent increase in total rechargeable collection.

“Batteries used to fit in the palm of your hand, but the rise of e-mobility has supersized an already formidable recycling challenge. We’re expanding and collaborating closely with our nationwide network of partners to help minimize the complexities associated with collecting, transporting, and recycling batteries of all sizes to enable an electrified world – safely, responsibly, and sustainably,” said Call2Recycle CEO Leo Raudys.

“With batteries holding the key to modern life and a healthy climate, it’s imperative that we expand not just the types and sizes of batteries we collect, but the reach of our recycling programs to communities that haven’t had access in the past.”

COCA-COLA PLEDGES TO SELL 25 PERCENT OF BEVERAGES IN REFILLABLE CONTAINERS BY 2030

C

oca-Cola has committed to selling 25 percent of beverages in refillable containers by 2030, up from a current 16 percent. The pledge was in response to a pending shareholder proposal asking the company to set stronger refillable container goals.

Nearly half of the company’s packaging consists of single-use PET plastic bottles which are more likely to be improperly disposed of. Refillable containers will provide significant opportunities for faster, larger cuts in single-use plastic since they don’t need to be remanufactured each time they are used and can be reused between 20 and 40 times.

NEW APR CATALOGUE OUTLINES PLASTIC PACKAGING RECYCLABILITY GUIDELINES WORLDWIDE

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he Association of Plastic Recyclers (APR) has launched the APR Global Design Catalog, a resource to access the most current plastic packaging recyclability guidelines for countries and regions around the world. The catalogue covers recyclability evaluations for rigid PET, rigid HDPE, rigid PP, and flexible PE film packaging.

Different countries and regions operate a variety of recycling collection and processing systems. Many of them oversee complex extended producer responsibility (EPR) programs that hold manufacturers and suppliers accountable for the end-oflife fate of packaging materials. EPR programs in virtually all jurisdictions reference some design for recyclability index to encourage companies to design more sustainable packaging.

The catalogue includes guidance from Denmark, the European Union, France, Germany, the Netherlands, South Africa, South Korea, Sweden, and the United Kingdom.

FERROUS MARKETS REBALANCING AFTER BLOCKBUSTER 2021 Steelmakers and ferrous metal recyclers experienced unprecedented market conditions in 2021 as U.S. steel prices set all-time records, steel production capacity expanded, and scrap processing volumes rose. However, the impacts of the pandemic on public health, supply chains, and transportation networks have also caused significant market disruptions.

For more on this story, turn to page 16.

MARCH 2022 | recyclingproductnews.com

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NEWS ROOM

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY TO ALLOCATE $3 BILLION TO SUPPORT EV BATTERY RECYCLING

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resident Biden and the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) have issued multiple notices of intent to allocate $2.91 billion in support of electric vehicle battery manufacturing as part of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. By bringing EV battery manufacturing stateside, the U.S. hopes to increase economic competitiveness in the global EV market and gain energy independence from the battery monopoly China currently operates.

The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law will also allow the DOE to help fund new, retrofitted, and expanded U.S. facilities for the entire life cycle of an EV battery – from processing materials THE FUTURE OF MECHANICAL SCREENING and producing cells and packs, to reA true non-wrapping or jamming screen placed after the infeed cycling batteries. The funding will also conveyor that doesn’t require a presort. Rotating series of support research, development, and cantilevered steel augers fractionate inbound material and demonstration of second-life applications for batteries. produce a clean OCC end-product.

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2/28/2022 9:55:50 AM

MACK LAUNCHES VEHICLE-AS-ASERVICE PROGRAM FOR BATTERYELECTRIC VEHICLES

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ack Trucks has launched an all-inclusive Vehicle-as-a-Service (VaaS) program to help customers better manage the expenses associated with acquiring the Mack LR Electric refuse model.

VaaS includes the vehicle chassis, the refuse body, applicable taxes, and a comprehensive vehicle protection plan.

Qualified customers also have the option to bundle a charger and associated installation costs into a single invoice.

VaaS is offered as a five-year lease with single monthly payments and the option to renew.

REPUBLIC SERVICES TO ACQUIRE US ECOLOGY

R

epublic Services will acquire US Ecology for approximately $2.2 billion, including a net debt of approximately $0.7 billion.

US Ecology is a provider of environmental solutions offering treatment, recycling, and disposal of hazardous, non-hazardous, and specialty waste. The acquisition of US Ecology will add nine specialty waste landfills with five hazardous waste landfills, 16 RCRA permitted TSDFs, seven wastewater treatment facilities, and over 80 environmental services field locations including treatment and recycling centres to Republic Services’ portfolio.

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TOTALENERGIES TO PURCHASE AND CONVERT HONEYWELL’S RECYCLED POLYMER FEEDSTOCK

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s part of a new agreement, Honeywell will supply TotalEnergies with recycled polymer feedstock using Honeywell’s UpCycle Process Technology.

TotalEnergies will purchase and convert this raw material into virgin-quality polymers which are suitable for a wide range of applications including flexible and rigid food-grade packaging containers.

This first planned project represents the start of the collaboration between Honeywell and TotalEnergies in the field of advanced recycling.

As part of a new agreement, Honeywell will supply TotalEnergies with recycled polymer feedstock using Honeywell’s UpCycle Process Technology. TotalEnergies will purchase and convert this raw material into virgin-quality polymers which are suitable for a wide range of applications including flexible and rigid food-grade packaging containers.

This first planned project represents the start of the collaboration between Honeywell and TotalEnergies in the field of advanced recycling.

“Plastics demand will continue to grow, so it’s critical to create a linkage between waste management and plastics production to strengthen a circular flow of plastics,” says Ben Owens, vice president and general manager of Honeywell Sustainable Technology Solutions.

“The relationship with TotalEnergies will provide a strong recycled polymer feedstock offtake partner and coupled with our recently announced advanced recycling plant with Sacyr, Honeywell is leading the drive toward a more circular plastics economy.”

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SPOTLIGHT

SPOTLIGHT

INTRODUCTIONS & UPDATES

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Air-Weigh and Tangerine

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Tangerine’s AI-powered data analytics platform has been combined with Air-Weigh’s BinMaxx commercial container scale to capture weight and location data to be securely uploaded to the cloud for analysis and reporting. An Air-Weigh BinMaxx onboard scale integrated with Tangerine’s Jido Sense can display each bin lift weight as well as full detailed reporting to help businesses make smarter decisions. The Air-Weigh and Tangerine partnership provides fleet managers with real-time weight information that is accessible on the dashboard and stored on the cloud, enabling fleet owners to get actionable insights on each account and better assess which account is profitable from those that are not.

Ecoverse’s EcoScreen Duplex 52 is a double-drum trommel screen that allows for high-production and three-fraction screening, including fines, mids, and overs. The machine runs on a diesel-hydraulic drive powered by an efficient, EPA-compliant Tier 4 Final CAT engine. Applications for the machine include soil, construction and demolition waste, green waste, wood chips, mulch, sand and gravel, recycling, stones, compost, and any application that needs to be topsized or needs more than two fractions. The EcoScreen Duplex 52 also features a quick-change outer drum and can be operated by one person with a user-friendly control panel and remote control.

ANALYTICS PLATFORM GIVES FLEETS REAL-TIME WEIGHT INFORMATION

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Double-drum trommel screen

recyclingproductnews.com | MARCH 2022

DOUBLE-DRUM TROMMEL SCREEN FOR THREE-FRACTION SCREENING

Wheel loader

Compact trommel screens

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REDESIGNED WHEEL LOADER WITH INCREASED BUCKET CAPACITY

Telematics

Doosan Infracore North America’s DL320-7 wheel loader is part of the all-new redesigned -7 Series wheel loaders that were first launched in 2021.

The DL320-7 has an operating weight of 43,506 pounds and a 7 percent larger-capacity bucket than its predecessor. These updates allow an operator to move more material every hour. A new wheel loader guarding package will be available as a factory-installed option for select wheel loader models. The package is intended to provide additional uptime protection for Doosan wheel loader owners.

McCloskey International

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365SiteConnex, a complete connectivity solution for accurate monitoring of McCloskey products, is based on the latest communication technologies to collect, analyze, and deliver information on crushers, screeners, and stackers. This key information is easily accessible across devices, and is grouped by engine and feeder data, diagnostics, and event logs. In addition to standard functionality like machine status and location, 365SiteConnex will allow measurement of key production and cost efficiency indicators including fuel consumption, production, and engine hours to analyze idle versus productive time. It will also allow benchmarking between the plants to identify critical similarities and differences in operation and performance.

Rotochopper’s new compact MT Series trommel screens feature a large screening area that provides high-volume throughput of compost, organic soil, mulch, biomass, and waste with minimal material handling. The MT Series is available in two models: the MT175, with a length of 39 feet and a weight of 37,500 pounds, and the MT237 for larger operations and volumes weighing 64,000 pounds with a length of 53 feet. Tracks provide easy maneuverability for even small operations while hydraulically folding discharge conveyors make setup, adjustment, and transport easier for increased uptime. The series also offers seamless integration with existing equipment, streamlining overall operations.

TELEMATICS TO MONITOR CRUSHERS, SCREENERS, AND STACKERS

TROMMEL SCREENS PROVIDE EFFICIENCY IN A COMPACT FOOTPRINT

MARCH 2022 | recyclingproductnews.com

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METALS RECYCLING

FERROUS MARKETS REBALANCING AFTER BLOCKBUSTER 2021 AN OPTIMISTIC OUTLOOK FOR 2022

BY JOE PICKARD

S

teelmakers and ferrous metal recyclers experienced unprecedented market conditions in 2021 as U.S. steel prices set all-time records, steel production capacity continued to expand, and scrap processing volumes rose sharply. However, the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on public health, worker availability, supply chains, transportation networks, and virtually every aspect of society have also caused significant market disruptions.

As commodity and asset price volatility ramped up in early 2022 amid concerns about rising inflation, expected interest rate hikes, and heightened geo-political risks, global steel market sentiment has recently softened but remains largely positive for the balance of the year in light of positive economic and commodity market forecasts.

STEEL MARKET SENTIMENT SLIPS IN JANUARY

According to the latest report from IHS Markit, the Global Steel Users Purchasing Managers Index (PMI) declined from 51.6 in December to 50.1 in January. While PMI readings above 50 indicate continued expansion, steel user survey respondents indicated output levels and new orders weakened at the start of the year.

According to IHS Economist Usamah Bhatti, “Companies often indicated that activity and demand had been hindered by the rise in COVID-19 cases due to the Omicron variant, as well as ongoing material shortages and supply chain disruption. That said, there were signs that supply and price pressures were easing.”

At the same time, prices for U.S. finished steel and recycled ferrous metal were pressured lower at the start of 2022, albeit from elevated levels. Back in early 2021, Fastmarkets reported that their U.S. hot-rolled coil price index reached a 60-year high of $1,160 per short ton. The Fastmarkets HRC price index would subsequently climb to more than $1,900 per ton over the course of 2021, shattering previous records.

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recyclingproductnews.com | MARCH 2022

Steelmakers and ferrous metal recyclers experienced unprecedented market conditions in 2021.

MARCH 2022 | recyclingproductnews.com

17

METALS RECYCLING

In the U.S., major steelmakers will increase steel production capacity by more than 10 million tons between 2022 and 2024.

At the start of 2022, that same index was back down below $1,200 per ton, a significant drop from the highs reached in late 2021, but still lofty by historical standards. Ferrous scrap prices have been on a similar, if more range-bound, trajectory as producer prices for recycled iron and steel were still up 38 percent year-on-year in December 2021, before retreating in January and February, particularly for prime scrap grades. According to Argus Media, “Canadian domestic prime scrap prices dropped C$36 per ton in January, with concerns mounting over cross-border trucking disruptions.”

SHIFTING MARKET STRUCTURE

The current ferrous market rebalancing should not come as a complete surprise as the gains registered in 2021 would be difficult to sustain over an extended period of time. Following the COVID-induced contraction in 2020, total U.S. steel production increased 18 percent last year to 86 million metric tons while North American steel production increased 16.6 percent in 2021 to 117.8 million metric tons, according to World Steel Association figures. ISRI estimates U.S. recycled iron and steel consumption similarly increased to more than 58 million tons last year.

On the trade front, U.S. exports of recycled iron and steel increased 5 percent by quantity in 2021 to nearly 16.7 million metric tons, but surged 60 percent higher in dollar terms to $6.8 billion due to last year’s price gains. U.S. exporters saw improved demand from key growth markets including Vietnam, South Korea, and Egypt.

Of note, U.S. recycled iron and steel shipments to Latin America rose more than 50 percent in 2021 due to improved demand from Mexico, Peru, Ecuador, and Brazil, while exports to mainland China more than tripled to 115,000 metric tons, according to Census Bureau trade data.

The increases in domestic and global steel and scrap demand, coupled with elevated labour, transportation, and operating costs, contributed to the acceleration of two key market trends that were already underway: new capital investments and industry consolidation.

In the United States alone, the major steelmakers have announced capital expansion plans that will increase steel

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production capacity by more than 10 million tons between 2022 and 2024. Meanwhile, the metal recycling industry is seeing increased integration, both horizontal and vertical, including multi-million-dollar acquisitions of major processors PSC Metals, Ferrous Processing and Trading, and MetalX’s ferrous scrap unit in the last year.

CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES GOING FORWARD

For metal recyclers, one of the biggest challenges this year will be the continued competition for available workers. According to the Census Bureau’s latest survey on Job Openings and Labor Turnover, there were more than 10.9 million unfilled U.S. job openings in December 2021, the seventh consecutive month with over 10 million openings.

In addition to having to raise wages in order to attract and retain new talent, recyclers are also faced with rising energy and operational costs as one measure of inflation – the Consumer Price Index reached a 40-year high in January. As central banks raise rates as part of their efforts to finally contain inflation, borrowing costs will increase, raising the bar for capital investment projects. Last but not least, logistical bottlenecks are not expected to go away anytime soon, which will continue to act as a drag on firms’ ability to get material to customers in a timely manner.

More positively, the global economy and international trade flows are still expected to expand in 2022. According to the latest International Monetary Fund forecasts, the global economy is projected to expand 4.4 percent this year while the global trade in goods and services is forecast to increase 6 percent.

In the United States, the $1.2 trillion infrastructure spending package and on-going metal production expansion plans also bode well for recycled commodity demand. Over the longer run, economic growth, steel output, and recycled metal demand are likely to remain closely connected.

JOE PICKARD is the chief economist and director of commodities at the Institute of Scrap Recycling Industries (ISRI) located in Washington, D.C.

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METALS RECYCLING

Moffatt Scrap Iron & Metal is a full-service metal recycling company that focuses on environmentally friendly recycling practices.

WENDT commissions non-ferrous recycling plant for Moffatt Scrap Iron & Metal NEW SYSTEM RECOVERS PREVIOUSLY LOST METAL SCRAP

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ENDT Corporation has commissioned a small non-ferrous plant for Moffatt Scrap Iron & Metal as part of Moffatt’s overall strategy to increase the volume of non-ferrous scrap metal recycled.

Since 1984, Moffatt has operated in Campbellville, Ontario. A full-service metal recycling company with a team of 43 employees, Moffatt also operates Triple M Demolition which provides scrap infeed for its recycling process requirements.

Moffatt’s non-ferrous plant features a new WENDT Tumbleback feeder, a trommel, and fines eddy current separator, and also incorporates the company’s eddy systems, which are currently in use.

Prior to the purchase of the WENDT non-ferrous system, Moffatt was running its automobile shredder residue (ASR) through a single eddy current separator, leaving unsized and non-ferrous metal uncaptured. The new system will allow Moffatt to rerun the ASR to capture additional non-ferrous metals that were not recovered using one eddy current.

“We were selling it to another home that had the equipment we now have to recover this metal,” says Christine Moffatt, a Moffatt sales and purchasing representative “WENDT works with different size companies from small owner operators to large corporate accounts,” said Bill Close, WENDT business development manager. “The effort to develop robust solutions for the small owner operators is challenging, but our

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The effort to develop robust solutions for the small owneroperators is challenging, but our goal is to position them with good decisions for growth.

Bill Close Business Development Manager, WENDT goal is to position them with good decisions for growth. It was a pleasure working with the Moffatt team as we brainstormed together to find the correct solution to meet their needs.”

“We are looking to achieve better results with the new WENDT plant, especially recovering additional non-ferrous material and the ability to process more materials,” said Moffatt.

The addition of the new non-ferrous plant is a foundation of the company’s recycling strategy. The plant is designed for future expansion and was commissioned and installed in January.

BUNTING PROJECT SHOWS 15 PERCENT ALUMINUM RECOVERY FROM DROSS THREE-STAGE SEPARATION PROCESS CAPTURES METALS EFFECTIVELY

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n aluminum dross processing plant in the Middle East has purchased an eddy current separator, drum magnet, and electrostatic separator from Bunting Magnetics Co. The separation equipment is expected to help the facility recover a total of approximately 15 percent or more aluminum fines from their dross material. Aluminum dross is a byproduct of the aluminum smelting process.

After crushing, mechanical separation enables the recovery of valuable, residual aluminum from the aluminum oxide.

high-intensity rare earth drum magnet, which is beneficial to subsequent processing. Test results showed that magnetics accounted for approximately 1 percent recovery. The rare earth drum has a stationary permanent magnetic element mounted within a rotating non-metallic shell.

A vibratory feeder delivers an even and controlled flow of material onto the shell and into the magnetic field.

Magnetic particles are then attracted to the surface and deposited in a collection area underneath the drum.

Non-magnetics flow in a

The drive for most recycling companies is to recover as much clean metal as possible, and with new technology, such as our electrostatic separator, we are able to provide a complete separation solution.

Adrian Coleman General Manager, Bunting-Redditch The first stage of the project involved Bunting conducting controlled material separation tests on three samples at their Customer Experience Centre in the U.K. The tests concluded that a three-stage separation process most effectively recovered the metal from the dross.

The first stage of separation focused on removing magnetic particles with a

normal trajectory and are recovered separately.

The second step of the process focused on separating small pearls of aluminum from the dross, resulting in an aluminum recovery rate of 14 percent. The eccentric eddy current separator has a high-strength magnetic rotor mounted in the top corner of a non-metallic shell.

The rotor, with a series of

Bunting’s metal separation module combines an eddy current separator, drum magnet, and electrostatic separator.

alternating magnetic poles, spins at high speeds, and when aluminum enters the changing magnetic field a current is induced into the particle. This creates a magnetic field in opposition to the rotating magnetic field, forcing the particle to repel.

This enables separation from unaffected non-metallic material.

For finer-sized fractions, the remaining material was passed through an electrostatic separator. The electrostatic separator recovered a further 6 percent of aluminum.

According to Bunting, tests concluded that approximately 15 percent of aluminum could be recovered from the dross using a combination of the three separators.

The production-scale equipment at the Middle East plant was sized to handle approximately 3 tonnes per hour of 1.5–20mm aluminum dross. In operation, the aluminum dross

would feed onto a vibratory feeder, which would deliver a controlled flow of material onto the rare earth drum magnet. After extraction of the magnetics, the material passes onto a eddy current separator with adjustable splitter. The machines are all mounted onto one frame and are operated through a single control cabinet.

“As with many of our projects, we worked closely with the customer to understand and then confirm the separation capabilities of our equipment,” says Adrian Coleman, general manager of Bunting-Redditch. “The combination of established and new separation technology has maximized the level of aluminum recovery.

The drive for most recycling companies is to recover as much clean metal as possible and with new technology, such as our electrostatic separator, we are able to provide a complete separation solution.”

MARCH 2022 | recyclingproductnews.com

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AUTO RECYCLING

THE FUTURE OF AUTO RECYCLING SHIFTING THROUGH OPPORTUNITIES AND CHALLENGES

BY STEVE FLETCHER

A

s I approach my thirtieth year in the auto recycling industry, I join many of my industry colleagues in observing that I have probably seen more industry changes in the past five years than in the previous 30. The last two years, driven by the COVID-19 pandemic, have been marked by even more upheaval – and the future looks just as full of change for the industry.

Before I get into those changes and, more importantly, the implications of change and what the future holds, here is a bit of background on what I constitute to be the auto recycling industry.

The auto recycling industry, like all sectors of the overall automotive industry, is an ecosystem of businesses that interact with each other and with other parts of the overall auto supply chain in what was and is probably the best example of the circular economy. End-of-life vehicles (ELVs) are not waste – they are assets that need to be managed, oftentimes solely by market forces. They do have hazardous wastes in them that can be a problem, but the professional industry has evolved to understand how to best manage these resources and waste byproducts.

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NAVIGATING DIFFERENT AUTO RECYCLING ECOSYSTEMS

There are essentially two types of auto recyclers out there, but a lot of overlap exists between the two, and even within a business, as the price of scrap, vehicles, and their parts fluctuates.

There are businesses that look at ELVs as a collection of parts that can be reused, with a bit of material (almost exclusively metals) that can be recovered profitably. The other class of business is one that looks at an ELV as just a collection of materials – again, almost exclusively metals, and they do not have the capacity, knowledge, or plans to sell parts.

The Automotive Recyclers of Canada (ARC) and its members operate in the first category – as dismantlers of ELVs and parts sellers. Many members of the Canadian Association of Recycling Industries (CARI) operate in the second category – scrap buyers, processors, and shredders. And, of course, lots of businesses do both, and buy and sell amongst the different types of businesses, for added complexity.

In Canada, those auto recycling ecosystems are largely left on their own when it comes to direct government interven-

End-of-life vehicles are not waste – they are assets that need to be managed, oftentimes solely by market forces.

Steve Fletcher Managing Director, Automotive Recyclers of Canada

Some parts from ELVs can be reused, while other materials can be recovered for a profit.

tion, which is not always the case in other countries. And, like many sectors that have gone unregulated, there is a significant underground economy in the auto recycling field with unlicensed businesses and individuals operating without regard for taxation, health and safety, theft, the environment, etc.

For both auto dismantlers and scrap processors, they work off of a simple calculus when it comes to ELVs: can they generate enough revenue (parts and materials) to pay for the ELV and any transportation back to the processing facility (if it isn’t delivered), and pay for the appropriate level of preparation of the vehicle (i.e., de-pollution, VIN de-registration) so those parts and materials can be removed, stored, sold, and shipped profitably, while simultaneously investing in people, training, equipment, reporting, etc.?

It’s a simple calculus, but there are a myriad of ways to manage revenues and expenses – and plenty of ways that it can go wrong.

You can’t talk about the state of the industry without looking at the impact of the pandemic. Most auto recyclers remained open during shutdowns, as they are deemed essential businesses in their role as part of the automotive repair supply chain. Many pivoted to online and curbside pickup, with the restrictions

In Canada, auto recycling ecosystems are largely left on their own when it comes to government intervention.

End-of-life vehicles are not waste – they are assets.

MARCH 2022 | recyclingproductnews.com

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AUTO RECYCLING

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accelerating trends towards digitization of their parts inventories, more online sales and marketing, and an understanding that a clean, professional presentation is mandatory these days.

The following issues or trends had a positive impact on the auto recycling industry: supply chain disruptions and delays for new and aftermarket parts; vehicle owners needing/wanting to hold on to their vehicles longer; and robust and sustained scrap prices including enormous increases in the platinum group metals within catalytic converters.

Let’s look at them individually, but also how they interact with one another.

Local supply chains became all the rage during the pandemic – the closer suppliers and buyers are to one another the less likely that borders, distance, and cost play a role in selecting a part. Recycled auto parts from local vehicles are always locally available. More and more repairers, insurers, consumers, and even dealers turned to local auto recyclers as sometimes the only suppliers of parts that were suddenly held up in the supply chain.

As vehicle owners held on to their vehicles longer due to economic uncertainty or the cost and availability of a suitable replacement vehicle, they became much more interested in repairing their older vehicle – and auto recyclers were once again sometimes the only suppliers of those parts.

High and sustained scrap prices, both in the ferrous, non-ferrous, and platinum group metals generally reward both the dismantler and the scrap processor. High prices aren’t always a good thing for the entire scrap supply chain, but relatively consistent prices are – and given the global stops, starts, and uncertainty, metal price fluctuations have not been as dramatic as they could have been.

The dramatic rise in the platinum group metals within catalytic converters is another story. These huge gains have brought unprecedented catalytic converter theft and ensuing attention from the media, law enforcement, and governments at all levels.

More and more vehicles are showing up at auto recyclers and scrap processors without the catalytic converter in place, and this dramatically changes the economics of successfully processing that vehicle.

Governments have tried to crack down on this illegal activity by putting increasingly stringent requirements on scrap buyers – they must understand who they are buying from, where that catalytic converter may have come from, and not aid and abet the underground economy. That is a story that has still not played out.

PANDEMIC-RELATED CHALLENGES

There are a number of factors that have challenged auto recyclers during the pandemic: fewer miles driven means less wear and tear on a vehicle and therefore less need for repairs – in addition to fewer accidents requiring repairs. Auto recyclers have had fewer parts available with the reduction in accidents and total loss vehicles, and owners have held onto their vehicles longer, which meant fewer ELVs available.

Those last two issues – fewer total loss vehicles and fewer “scrap” vehicles – have led to a dramatic (30 percent) increase in the prices to acquire vehicles for inventory. That is probably the number one issue facing auto recyclers – fewer vehicles available, combined with everyone chasing after the same vehicles, leads to higher prices.

There are lots of opportunities to sell parts and scrap, but you have to buy those ELVs right or losses are inevitable. This is where the underground economy scrappers play a big negative role – they are incentivized to buy any vehicle they can, but they are not subject to the same rules and economics of the regulated industry.

It’s pretty easy to make cash profits when you cheat the system or deal in stolen property.

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AUTO RECYCLING ELECTRIC VEHICLES PRESENT NEW HURDLES

The electrification of vehicles is another enormous threat to the existing industry, driven by governments, OEMs, new competitors, new supply chains, new mandates, and bans, as well as plenty of money, R&D, and policy making. The intersection of electric vehicles (EVs) and auto recycling is such a dynamic subject, and it is worthy of its own article regarding the changes that are underway now, and, more importantly, that need to be undertaken in the near future.

But for now, it is relevant to understand two things about EVs. First, just like internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles, every EV will have a proper home at end of life – they are just too valuable to ignore (and soon will be too popular to ignore). The Automotive Recyclers of Canada and its members are preparing for this future. Second, the media loves to report about the “tsunami” of EV batteries that are destined for landfills and that only 5 percent of lithium-ion batteries are recycled at end of life. This is not true.

EV batteries are not waste, they are assets that more and more industries are clamouring for. And that 5 percent metric?

A 20-year-old study that looked at all lithium batteries – mainly single-use small household batteries. EV batteries are big, heavy, and won’t accidentally end up in the garbage or the Blue Box. OEMs, new industries, supply chains, reusers, remanufacturers, second life options (i.e. energy storage outside of a vehicle), and final recyclers are all starting to work together to create new ecosystems to manage this valuable resource.

As future vehicles change to meet more stringent GHG reduction requirements, the composition of those vehicles change with more plastics and hard-to-recycle materials like carbon fibre. At the scrap level, that changes the potential revenue stream of extracted metals.

For many years now, vehicles have gotten heavier because they have gotten bigger (i.e. pickups and SUVs), but if we see sustained high gas prices, more and more people will opt for smaller, more fuel-efficient vehicles – and that can mean less metal at end of life. The balancing act to those vehicle material changes often means more non-ferrous metals (i.e. lighter aluminum and more copper for electrification), and more computer parts – which have higher value as parts, if they can be resold.

Plastics in ELVs are gaining the attention of the federal government as it commits to zero plastic waste goals. ARC is finalizing a road map study regarding plastics from ELVs for Environment and Climate Change Canada, due to be released in April. This will map out the opportunities and the very significant challenges to removing plastics from ELVs. Auto recycling has existed successfully since the first vehicles rolled off the production lines well over 100 years ago. This success has been built on an entrepreneurial spirit, a love of automobiles, and a burning desire to meet the needs of the changing automobile and the evolving automotive ecosystem. We expect to be around for another 100 years. ELV recycling will look different, but rest assured every vehicle in Canada will meet a responsible end of life because this sector always asks, “What’s next?”

STEVE FLETCHER is the managing director of the Automotive Recyclers of Canada.

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Fewer available scrap vehicles has led to a dramatic increase in the costs associated with acquiring vehicles for inventory.

High and sustained scrap prices can reward both the dismantler and the scrap processor.

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MATERIAL HANDLING

MACHINE UPDATES IMPROVE HEAVY EQUIPMENT SAFETY HOW TECHNOLOGY IS REDUCING ACCIDENTS AT RECYCLING CENTRES

BY RYAN JOHNSON

H

eavy equipment manufacturers are making it easier for recycling centres to minimize accidents. The increased technology in today’s machines can improve employee safety without impacting productivity.

Many recycling facilities today depend on excavators, wheel loaders, and material handlers. These machines are coupled with a variety of attachments to manage materials destined for reuse. New iterations of these machines feature emerging technologies that are designed to enhance operator safety.

“Much of our focus as manufacturers during the past 10 years has been on emission standards,” says Aaron Kleingartner, product and dealer marketing manager for Doosan Infracore North America. “That has shifted considerably in recent years as manufacturers, including Doosan, are focused on offering new technologies for heavy equipment. We’re starting to see more new technology in production and being available through our dealers.”

VIEW FROM THE CAB

A longtime challenge for equipment operators, particularly in recycling, has been visibility from inside the cab to the area around the machine. Manufacturers now offer improved visibility from the operating station with design updates that offer floor-to-ceiling windows to the front and sides.

Some wheel loader manufacturers have made rear-view cameras standard equipment. Operators can activate the rear-view camera with the press of a button on the LCD screen.

“Rear-view cameras were just the beginning of enhanced safety features in wheel loaders,” Kleingartner says. “At recycling facilities where operators are moving a wheel loader in a common V-pattern, such as moving materials from a pile and loading them into a container or truck, a rear-view is a big plus.

Operators can be confident that there is nothing behind the machine as they move back, then turn and go forward to lift and empty recyclable materials.”

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In addition to rear-view cameras, some excavator manufacturers offer side-view cameras as standard or optional equipment.

Operators can activate a split-screen view on the LCD monitor for an enhanced view of the area around the machine. The side-view camera shows operators what is to the right of the excavator, an area that is commonly obstructed by the machine’s workgroup.

All-around view monitoring systems are becoming more common in new equipment, particularly in excavators. The concept provides operators with a 360-degree, bird’s-eye perspective of their surroundings to help operators position the machine in the optimal location for the task. Machines can be configured with four cameras, and the video is combined or stitched together. It can be viewed on a second display screen in the cab.

Doosan will offer an all-around view monitoring system as an option for its new -7 Series crawler excavators, which are being introduced in 2022. The system may be available as an option for Doosan material handlers.

New excavators, wheel loaders, and material handlers feature emerging technologies that are designed to enhance operator safety.

TRANSPARENT BUCKETS

A more recent development in machine visibility took a significant leap in summer 2021 when Doosan announced its new transparent bucket option. Available for new -7 Series wheel loader models, the new feature will be popular with operators who regularly lift and carry objects with a bucket or grapple.

“A few people have commented that it looks like a standard wheel loader bucket,” Kleingartner says. “They are correct. We can create a transparent bucket effect using multiple on-board cameras that provide footage in near real time. The technology gives operators a stitched overlay view, visible on a second monitor in the cab, that appears to make the bucket invisible.”

The transparent bucket technology can be activated to help operators in a variety of situations. For example, if an operator scoops a pile of material and needs to move it a considerable distance, the operator can carry the load low and still see what is in front of the bucket. Then, when the

Heavy equipment manufacturers are making it easier for recycling centres to minimize accidents. The increased technology in today’s machines can improve employee safety without impacting productivity.

MARCH 2022 | recyclingproductnews.com

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MATERIAL HANDLING

Design updates, such as floor-toceiling windows and rear-view cameras, improve visibility for operators.

The transparent bucket effect is made using multiple on-board cameras that provide footage in near real time.

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operator reaches the drop spot, activating the transparent bucket makes it easier to see into the truck or container when unloading the material.

BRIGHT LIGHTS

Equipment operators need ample lighting to work safely and efficiently. More companies today are offering LED work lights as standard equipment. For example, some wheel loader manufacturers offer two lights on the front of the machine and two on the rear. Additional lighting can be installed for even brighter illumination.

“Our wheel loader customers can add up to eight more lights on the Doosan machines,” Kleingartner says. “They can install up to four more work lights on the front of the wheel loader cab and four more on the rear, totalling 12 including the standard LED lights. LED lights are significantly more powerful than traditional halogen lighting and can light a wider area on a worksite.”

Another option available for wheel loaders is a strobe light.

This is particularly useful when operators are working at night or in low-light areas. Strobe lights can be configured to alert other workers when the machine backs up.

Also available for today’s wheel loaders are audible alerts. An obvious example is when a wheel loader is moving in reverse and alerts workers to pay attention to the machine. In recent years, some companies have expanded the use of audible alerts to indicate when a machine is getting too close to another object. If the operator comes in close proximity to a structure, a

All of the technology in the world cannot substitute for operators being aware of their surroundings.

machine, or a worker, a sound can be heard to indicate that the operator should stop the machine.

All of the technology in the world cannot substitute for operators being aware of their surroundings. It’s also still important for operators to perform a routine machine inspection before they start working each day. Any machine issues that are identified should be reported immediately and fixed with the correct parts.

RYAN JOHNSON is the manager of strategic communications at Two Rivers Marketing.

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PLASTICS RECYCLING

SORTING SOLUTIONS CLOSE THE LOOP ON FILM AND FLEXIBLE PACKAGING RECYCLING

T

he pressure to address film and flexible packaging waste has been building. Awareness about plastic waste and how to reuse materials has grown, and consumers are increasingly vocal in their requests for a more environmentally friendly approach to packaging.

Legislation is also tightening up to encourage manufacturers to use Post-Consumer Resin (PCR) in addition to virgin resin.

In the United States, New Jersey’s legislature will send to the governor a bill requiring 20 percent PCR in plastic shopping bags and 40 percent three years later. A California Assembly Bill makes brands solely responsible for achieving 50 percent PCR in beverage containers by 2030, with the aim of “making manufacturers partners in ensuring they have sufficient material to meet this requirement.” Big international brands are setting self-imposed mandates about the content of PCR in their packaging with the expectation that legislation around the world will become increasingly stringent.

THE CHALLENGE OF RECYCLING FILM AND FLEXIBLE PACKAGING WASTE

Recycling film and flexible packaging presents very specific and unique challenges. “The first challenge is the low bulk den-

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sity of these materials, which are very light and fluffy,” explains Enrico Siewert, director of product and market development at STADLER. “They tend to move around on a sorting plant’s conveyors and wrap themselves around the bearings of the shafts, affecting the equipment’s performance and maintenance. Also, these materials are susceptible to trapping moisture, and they tend to crumple, locking in the moisture, and it takes a lot of energy to clean them.

“However, the biggest issue is that many of these materials are multi-layers, where different polymers – EVOH, PE, PP, or PET – are sandwiched together to achieve the desired performance properties. The layers are fused together, so they are very difficult to separate mechanically. Also, they have different melt temperatures, so extrusion is difficult when using this material during the remanufacturing of new products.”

Mechanical recycling cannot deal with multi-layers easily. In some cases, chemical recycling may be a solution: “It’s about breaking the hydrocarbons back down into oil that gets refined and made into a fuel or turned back into a resin with the aim of closing the loop,” says Siewert. However, this process is still in its infancy and is very expensive and presents significant difficulties at this stage.

SPECIFIC SORTING EQUIPMENT FOR A CHALLENGING TASK

Film and flexible plastic materials require very specific sorting equipment because of the size and behaviour of the materials inside or on specific machines.

The process begins with the materials – made up of mostly PE and PP – entering the processing facility as a bale, which is shredded. The material is fed into a ballistic separator, where it is divided into two streams, 2D and 3D. The 2D material is spread out and goes through optical sorters to separate the LDPE, PP, and HDPE. This is followed by density separation in a tank, where the light PE and PP materials float and the heavier materials sink and go through paddles, which clean them. The floating PE and PP are then ground into smaller pieces and further cleaned with hot and/ or cold water in various friction devices. The material is re-melted into a resin, which is then further filtered to remove any remaining particles of extraneous materials, such as paper, dirt, aluminum, and other non-conforming polymers.

The output of this process is clean, grey pellets made up of up to 99 percent pure PE. This material can be used to produce black plastic film items, such as garbage bags. It can also be chemically recycled to take out the colouring at the end of the process to obtain a clear, almost virgin-like resin.

Film and flexible plastic materials require very specific sorting equipment due to their behaviour inside certain machines.

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PLASTICS RECYCLING

Film and flexible packaging presents a difficult end-of-life issue for recyclers.

A GROWING DEMAND FOR FILM AND FLEXIBLE PACKAGING SORTING SOLUTIONS

STADLER has experienced a surge in the demand for sorting solutions for film and flexible packaging since it completed its first plant for Integra, in Sofia, Bulgaria, in 2018. Its ballistic separators, label removers, and conveyors are at the heart of its offering for film sorting facilities, and it is constantly evolving its offering, listening to customers and developing solutions to the issues as they arise.

“We are always developing new machinery, establishing partnerships, and looking at ways to handle this material stream that is difficult to recycle, because our customers are demanding it,” says Siewert. “And we are refining our systems for the chemical recycling plants, which are increasingly aware of the need for sophisticated front-end systems to sort, screen, and wash the materials before they can be chemically broken down into recyclates.”

STADLER is also actively involved in ongoing dialogue between the recycling industry and big brands about adopting a more sustainable approach to packaging that facilitates the recovery of materials at the end of its life.

“I believe that at STADLER we are very good at listening to our customers and understanding their needs. We bring the

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recyclingproductnews.com | MARCH 2022

We are refining our systems for the chemical recycling plants, which are increasingly aware of the need for sophisticated front-end systems to sort, screen, and wash the materials before they can be chemically broken down into recyclates.

Enrico Siewert Director of Product and Market Development, STADLER right team and industry experience, and we pay attention. We are involved in the industry, always looking at new technology as it comes in, so that we are able to advise our customers on the best solution for their operation – what technology is available, how to sequence the equipment correctly to bridge the gap from waste to a finished product,” says Siewert.

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astman will invest up to $1 billion in a material-to-material molecular recycling facility in France, utilizing its polyester renewal technology to recycle up to 160,000 metric tonnes annually of hard-to-recycle plastic waste that is currently being incinerated.

This multi-phase project includes units that would prepare mixed plastic waste for processing, a methanolysis unit to depolymerize the waste and polymer lines to create a variety of materials for specialty, packaging, and textile applications.

Eastman also plans to establish an innovation centre for molecular recycling that would advance alternative recycling methods to curb plastic waste incineration and leave fossil feedstock in the ground. The plant and innovation centre are expected to be operational by 2025.

Eastman’s polyester renewal technology provides circularity for hard-to-recycle plastic waste that remains in a linear economy. This material is typically incinerated because it either cannot be mechanically recycled or must be downcycled with existing technology. This hard-to-recycle waste is broken down into its molecular building blocks and then reassembled to become high-quality material.

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EQUIPMENT ROUNDUP

TECHNOLOGY-ENABLED HORIZONTAL BALERS STREAMLINE OPERATIONS

BY SLONE FOX, EDITOR

W

ith the ability to take on large volumes of materials including cardboard, plastics, and more, horizontal balers play an integral role in MRFs and other large-scale recycling facilities. By compressing bulky recovered recyclables into tidy bales, recyclers are able to cut down on transportation costs, make downstream processing more efficient, and easily store processed materials. While the concept of a baler is relatively simple, the technology available for these machines is growing more and more intelligent and complex as baler manufacturers adapt and enhance their product offerings to meet the evolving needs of today’s recyclers.

While the concept of a baler is relatively simple, the technology available for these machines is growing more and more intelligent and complex as baler manufacturers adapt and enhance their product offerings to meet the evolving needs of today’s recyclers.

WHAT TYPES OF TECHNOLOGIES ARE AVAILABLE FOR HORIZONTAL BALERS?

Most machines offer some type of automation to help save time and money, whether it’s automatic bale tying, remote monitoring capabilities, or other smart technology. The ability to interact efficiently with equipment and leverage automation is vital to keeping day to day operations running smoothly.

With technology options that offer simplified maintenance, reduced downtime, remote diagnostic capabilities, and more, it’s important that recyclers keep up with evolving technologies and incorporate those that are the best fit for their facility. By letting the machine do most of the work, recyclers are able to simplify their operations and save time and money.

CONNECTED COMPACTION EQUIPMENT STREAMLINES OPERATIONS

One notable baler connectivity offering currently on the market is the BRA-IN product line from Bramidan, an IOT system that links connected compaction equipment with IT systems

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BRA-IN Link allows signals from equipment with old control units, such as compactors and horizontal balers.

to provide users with a complete overview of their operations while minimizing direct and indirect waste handling costs.

Accessing real-time fill levels helps optimize waste collection routes and enables automatic material pickup based on the fill rate, reducing transport costs.

Equipment that is connected via BRA-IN technology allows users to collect data that helps monitor and optimize waste handling, such as production data, locations of machines, and machine failure notifications. The ability to service machines remotely also lowers costs and allows for quick and optimized machine maintenance.

RETROFITTING INCREASES EFFICIENCY OF EXISTING MACHINES

Recyclers looking to increase the efficiency of their existing operations without investing in brand new balers can use BRA-IN Link to retrofit existing machines within their facilities.

BRA-IN Link can be installed on equipment with older control units and balers from other manufacturers, while the BRA-IN Modem comes installed straight from the factory, or can be installed separately on newer machines. Taking advantage of connected horizontal baler technology adds options that are normally unavailable for older equipment, allowing recyclers to get the most out of their existing assets and save money in the long run. RPN

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AMERICAN BALER 8043HS-10T75 MAREN PROPAK A160 DC

4 1

The Harris HLO 8000 Series of single-ram horizontal balers provides efficiency in a wide range of applications such as distribution centres, scrapyards, and recycling plants. The balers are designed to provide straightforward maintenance with intuitive, programmable touchscreen displays, self-aligning tension systems, and on-site diagnostics. With 126 to 197 psi ram face pressure, high-capacity hopper openings, and a 48- x 40- x 72-inch bale size, the balers can handle a wide array of materials. Twin power source models operating from 50 to 200 hp also allow for low power mode operation and failover redundancy.

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Ecoverse is now the exclusive North American dealer for CK International Balers. The CKTR121 two-ram baler produces high-density bales of all standard recycled product materials with dimensions and weights optimized for container and trailer shipments. With power options from 200 to 400 hp and compaction forces from 130 to 180 tons, the unit can be customized to suit key product streams and bale weight requirements. The CKTR121 offers a standard Accent Wire Tie system, but can also be fitted with a plastic tie option or incorporate an automatic wrapping system.

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American Baler’s extrusion-style 8043HS10T75 horizontal baler is ideal for warehouses and distribution centres, as well as large recycling centres that need to bale a variety of fibre material. As an additional feature, auto tie technology pulls the wire to the twister, rather than trying to push the wire across. The auto tie unit is built on casters to allow users to easily access the inside of the tier for cleaning and inspection.

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The Maren ProPAK A160 DC Wide Body auto-tie horizontal baler from Kernic comes with over 160,000 pounds of ram force and either a 30- or 60-hp power unit. The durable baler comes equipped with 30 inches of ram penetration and a progressive shear blade that eliminates jams, along with an interlocking chassis. The “A” frame single-cylinder tension chamber maximizes ram force during full pressure baling, creating very dense and heavy bales of OCC. Multiple hopper styles and sizes are available to adapt with any air or belt conveying systems. An advanced automatic 5-wire bale tier with electrically driven inserter and twister allows users to fully automate the baling process, saving time and money.

MARCH 2022 | recyclingproductnews.com

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LAST WORD

LAST WORD

END-OF-LIFE ELECTRIC VEHICLE BATTERIES MUST BE DESIGNED WITH RECYCLABILITY IN MIND

BY MARÍA SANTARINI

I

t’s no secret that the recycling industry has become increasingly aware (and nervous) about the implications of electric vehicles reaching their end of life. As more of this type of cars approach the ten-year limit awarded to their batteries (of the ever-feared lithium-ion variety), all recyclers should not only be prepared to receive an influx of unwanted material, but benefit from the legislative push and incentives to have more EVs on Canadian streets.

Canadians are buying more electric vehicles than ever, even considering the overall decline in vehicle sales. During the last quarter of 2021, EV registrations showed an increase of 26 percent compared to the same period of 2020. Considering that total vehicle registrations were down by 8.7 percent, it becomes evident that government incentives are working across all provinces.

As new technologies are developed, it will be more profitable for recyclers to take on lithium-ion batteries, which will help grow our industry.

These batteries were designed to reduce costs – not with recycling in mind. Specific processes, additaments, and adhesives drive up recycling costs, which makes the concept of “design for recycling” essential. It’s not enough for product designers and engineers to incorporate a percentage of recycled materials into their designs; they also need to think

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recyclingproductnews.com | MARCH 2022

about what will happen to the product once it reaches its end of life. Cathodes are a valuable component of lithium-ion batteries, containing metals such as cobalt and nickel which are highly valuable to recyclers. A direct recycling method preserves this cathode mixture rather than breaking it down into individual components, making recycled cathodes appealing to battery manufacturers since they don’t need to undergo heavy processing.

In the Faraday Institution’s ReLib project, researchers from the University of Leicester and University of Birmingham have found a way to recycle cathode and anode without shredding by using ultrasonic waves. With this technology, cobalt, nickel, and manganese cathode powder is recovered from aluminum sheets to which it is glued during battery manufacturing.

Graphite powder, which typically makes up the anode powder, is separated from the copper sheet.

It is estimated that using this new technology will save 60 percent over the cost of virgin material. In addition, ultrasonic technology can process 100 times more battery material per hour than hydrometallurgy.

The U.S. Department of Energy is now demonstrating different recycling technologies to refurbish battery cathodes into new electrodes using thermal and solvent methods under a government-sponsored project called ReCell. Due to a lack of cathode production in the country, recyclers must ship their recycled material to other countries to be turned into the cathode and then ship it back. Now, ReCell is investigating different cathode chemistry separations.

As new technologies are developed, it will be more profitable for recyclers to take on lithium-ion batteries, which will help grow our industry.

MARÍA SANTARINI is the communications manager for the Canadian Association of Recycling Industries.

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ADVERTISER INDEX 3 Tek............................................................................. 9 American Baler...................................................33 Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM).....................................39 BKT Tires...................................................................19 Buffalo Turbine...................................................45 Bunting Magnetics Company..................25 CP Group..................................................................12 Gensco Equipment..........................................24 Herbold USA..........................................................31 Industrial Netting..............................................36 LEFORT America................................................36 Liebherr-Canada...................................................2 National Heavy Equipment Show......... 35 OVB Holdings LLC.............................................13 PMR...............................................................................3 RM Johnson Company .................................47 ScrapRight Software.......................................43 SENNEBOGEN LLC......................................... 48 TORXX Kinetic Inc.............................................34 VAN DYK Recycling Solutions......................7

DENNIS EAGLE REFUSE TRUCK WITH DIRECT VIEW TECHNOLOGY IMPROVES SAFETY FOR NEW YORK’S COLLECTION OPERATIONS

PRATT INDUSTRIES AND MACHINEX COMPLETE TWO SYSTEM UPGRADES WITHIN THREE MONTHS

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recyclingproductnews.com | MARCH 2022

Waste & Recycling Expo Canada............37 Waste Expo............................................................27

Model 4 The new model 4 E-Z log Baler is just what mid size scrap yards have been asking for! Priced right for any yard — small, mid size, or large!

Like the Model 3, the NEW Model 4 has no set up time and a very low cost to operate.

The one man operations are all handled from the newly designed cab. With the 400º rotation crane and a reach of 27’ adding the continuous rotation grapple, it makes loading the larger chamber a breeze.

Taking your loose scrap to a highly sought after shreddable log.

— Cycles in under 2 minutes!

— Produces up to 70 tons per day.

— Fully portable in the closed position.

— New seat design for more operator comfort.

E H T D N BEYO

E N I H C MA e s o l y l l a u t r i Iv NO downtime

over every month to go a ce on gh u bring in e thro chnician com have a situation, [they] just they have te a e av h ey h T t to back. If I lose no downtime… Since machine, fron kly. ally e in and I virtu unit back quic another mach ir parts in stock. I get the MI the repa mfield Hills, ntractor, Bloo Co n io lit o Dem rsale hine” afte eyond the Mac GEN “B r ou w ho t ou NEBO Read more ab time for SEN maximizes up ady-to-ship t re en of m s it ie m or m co ete invent pl m co h it w customers warehouse. orth American parts in our N

technicians ctory-trained fa N E G O B E SENN

VISIT US AT SENNEBOGEN is committed to leading the industry in aftersale support throughout the life of its equipment. We’re thinking “beyond the machine” to deliver dependable uptime and lower Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) for every customer.

, LAS VEGAS MARCH 21-24

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