It's time to maximize the value of metals
Why Panizzolo recycling has long invested in following customers with targeted solution
In the summer of 2017, Beijing notified the global trade organization that from 2018 it would impose restrictions on the import of waste into the country. Thus began the Chinese campaign against the "yang laji", the foreign garbage, now known as "Chinese National Sword". A war without quarter after Chinese companies had imported rubbish without much distinction for thirty years, they were so hungry for raw materials to be recycled.
Although China still accepts some categories today, the purity threshold required for metal waste is so high that it is almost impossible for most exporters to trade. The crisis highlights all the limits of a circular economy, not always directed to close the circle of recovery.
Before the Chinese National Sword, recycling companies focused on recovering the most valuable waste portions while those considered less noble or more complex to refine, having a difficult commercial position, were completely shipped to China.
The new policy takes away an important safety valve for countries around the world. There are extreme cases like the United Kingdom and Japan, in great difficulty for a policy that was based on the complete export of waste, while the United States since August 2018 have seen their export share reduced due to a war of duties with Beijing.
In April 2019 an analysis by Greenpeace on the changes in commercial waste routes showed an exponential increase in imports both to the European Union and to developing states in south-east Asia. For this reason, in May 2019 at Basel conference, member countries introduced changes and restrictions to international trade. Appropriate inspection bodies have begun to supervise exporters, obliged to market better quality waste. The goal is to force all countries to increase the treatment steps, allowing importers to maximize their valorisation and reintroduction into the production process
Nowadays the circular economy must therefore adopt a new approach in the treatment cycle. Italy and Europe must take responsibility for encouraging companies to complete the metal recovery cycle, changing course with respect to past and recent politics.
Anticipating this, Panizzolo Recycling has gained a concrete experience in the End-of-Waste field. The Basel Convention confirms the company policy that Panizzolo has been pursuing for years, offering solutions aimed to obtain the highest economic value for processed products. It is not a secret that the global market is rapidly moving towards the exclusive demand for quality metals, benefiting with an increase in sales, those companies that were already within these parameters before the Chinese crisis.
In order not to get stuck with your business, you need to sharpen your weapons and aim for a path of technological innovation. By updating and elevating the treatment phases, it will be possible to seize the opportunities of this change and manage the abundance of scrap and metals that the sector is desperately trying to reintroduce into the production cycle.
Panizzolo at Ecomondo 2019
From November 5 to 8, 2019 the International Trade Fair of Material and Energy Recovery and Sustainable Development of Ecomondo, will be held in Rimini.
Panizzolo will be attending this exhibition at STAND 047 - HALL A3.
book an appointment and get your free ticket: commerciale@panizzolo.com
The Ecomondo days will give us the chance of meeting you all and show all the news presented by Panizzolo during the event.
Ecomondo is the leading Euro-Mediterranean area green and circular economy expo. An international event with an innovative format that brings together all sectors of the circular economy in a single platform: from material and energy recovery to sustainable development.
(click here and discover the exhibition).
Panizzolo Recycling Systems a Ecomondo 2019
Panizzolo Recycling Systems a Ecomondo 2019
05- 08 Novembre 2019 - Hall A3 – Stand 47
Dal 5 al 8 novembre 2019 si svolgerà a Rimini Fiera la Fiera Internazionale del Recupero di Materia ed Energia di ECOMONDO. ECOMONDO è la fiera leader della green e circular economy nell’area euro-mediterranea; un evento internazionale con un format innovativo che unisce in un’unica piattaforma tutti i settori dell’economia circolare: dal recupero di materia ed energia allo sviluppo sostenibile. Le giornate di fiera saranno l'occasione per incontrare tutti gli operatori del settore ed approfondire le novità impianti recupero metalli.
Per fissare un appuntamento e ottenere il tuo biglietto gratuito scrivi a: commerciale@panizzolo.com
Metals recovery from mixed WEEE waste
In the treatment of metal waste, disposal plants must deal with large quantities of waste materials that often reach such high quantities of wear inert as to render the profitability of the processing null. The effective division of these scrap has a fundamental importance in the correct management of the recycling process and in the recovery of quality secondary raw materials.
https://youtu.be/QN0RORxDRQ8
Panizzolo Recycling metal recovery systems are characterized by the innovative patented refining mill. This specific hammer mill represents clear pluses in increasing grinding efficiency compared to products on the market. Thanks to the special fusions and treatment logics, it is possible to grind and granulate metals effectively even in waste considered highly weary as waste from WEEE, car-fluff, mixed metals and alubond plants.
Panizzolo recycling: metals recovery from incinerators slag
ASHES AND SLAG FROM INCINERATORS
Until a few years ago, in Italy and Europe , non-hazardous ashes and slag from incinerators were sent to the landfill. In the last few years, the introduction of restrictive European laws in the sector of waste collection and management has imposed to maximise the recovery.
When this kind of waste is put in an appropriate recycling plant , the slag from incinerators has remarkable recovery properties. From the treatment process is possible to obtain copper, brass, aluminium and other metals as output materials. Inert dusts are very abrasive components that can be sent to cement plants at the and of the the treatment.
https://youtu.be/a7U6cfaNuxM
PANIZZOLO PLANT WITH MECHANIC TREATMENT
With Panizzolo refining plant the waste from incinerators are introduced in an End-of-Waste recycling cycle which operates only with mechanic treatment. The Flex 500 Stationary Refine hammermill (with patented cradle) and the patented refiners mills RAF-F and RAF-M treat the waste with only a step without losses of inert.
WEAR CONTROL. OUTPUT: SECONDARY RAW MATERIAL
Thanks to specific castings and processing logic, the hammermills can treat abrasive waste like combustion ashes.
From the incinerators waste, granulated metals like copper, brass and aluminium can be recovered, separating them from inert materials and falling into the “Secondary Raw Material” category. Panizzolo refining plant maximises the metals profitability for sale, breaking down the operating costs and simplifying the maintenances.
Electric Motors: Shredding Of Copper Wire
Flexible in tearing metal waste, Panizzolo PZ 2H shredder is also fit for processing skeins with copper wire.
This output, coming from electric motor treatment plants, consists of a tangle of cable mixed with iron, steel, aluminum and other metals. The shredding process, besides reducing its size, allows the skein to be untangled even in the presence of the most difficult metals to treat.
https://youtu.be/QiT33EaTui8
Avoiding working with material not conform to the load of the refining mills, Panizzolo shredder is a fundamental first step to guarantee quality of work, constant production and final profitability of individual metals.
Armoured cable (SWA): enhancement of copper, aluminium and iron
Use of armoured cable (SWA)
Unlike normal electric cables, the structure of armoured cables provides an high protection from cuts, abrasions and breakages. This kind of cable is used in urban and industrial field, mostly for electric transmission.
The inner part of the cable can vary on the basis of its purpose, material and metals thickness. Often, there is an iron foil under the sheath, while the central part can be made of copper or aluminium cables.
https://youtu.be/FxvYPOUFhvY
The management of waste from armoured cable
At the end of its cycle, the armoured cable becomes a difficult waste to introduce into the recycling system. The classic plants that treat this kind of material are not designed to process this kind of waste, in fact they would wear and damage the components of the machine.
Until a few years ago, the armoured cables, together with some other metal waste, were exported in China and India. However, the recent European bloc imposed the need to introduce efficient recovery solutions in member countries.
Treatment with Panizzolo hammermills
At the request of armoured cable treatment, Panizzolo has promptly responded with its range of hammermills and the patented refining plant. The grinding performances allow the enhancement and the separation of iron, copper and aluminium, without losses of inert materials. The grinding logic simplifies the recovery cycle and maximise the profitability of metals at the moment of sale.
The business opportunity hidden in MSW mixed waste
In the past few years European Union introduced strict laws for land filling in order to maximize the recovery of recyclable materials. This aim currently cannot be realized by many European plants when they have to deal with mix cans waste from MSW.
This waste is composed by mix metals (above all iron, alumnium and steel) and home-made inert like nylon, plastic, glass, etc...The production of this kind of waste is increasing, according by the recent EUROSTAT report with about 42,3 millions of tons every year.
MSW cans management: recover the ferrous proler
MSW waste is not homogeneous because of an ineffective collection in the capitals and in metropolitan cities.
The inert concentration can reach 60% compared to metals and it is considered to expensive to treat, but at the same time not complaint for the European landfills.
To maximize the recovery cycle, the enhancement of metallic proler could be an interesting business opportunity. In this way iron, steel, stainless steel and metals like aluminium, copper and brass could be reintroduced in the production cycle.
Anyway, foundries impose strict rules for an optimal cast of the product. Consequentially the companies cannot rely only on manual sorting, openers, or optical readers/X rays.
The solution is a grinding plant. A top quality hammermill frees the metals from inert, simplifies the final steps of separation and maximize the commercial value.
Hammermills for scrap
A company that takes this path need to ponder carefully the technical features of hammermill for scrap. Grinding the mix cans from MSW with not suitable models leads to serious economic and productive damages in a short-medium time.
During the process the hammermill undergoes to processing peaks, stressing many mechanical components, causing structural damages in the ineffective models.
The productive safety needs to be guaranteed by structures and armours suitable for MSW, speeding also the access of the elements involved in the grinding. These elements in comparison to other processes has higher wears, caused by the presence of glass and steel. A constant problem in hammermills with medium-low price range, economically penalizing productivity and spare parts management.
The suppliers which provide higher quality solutions have introduced successfully special cast alloys for horizontal hammermill. Hammers and grids have a slower and more gradual wear, keeping constant the output quality and avoiding the stops caused by light inert materials floating in the grinding chamber.
Flexibility in material treatment is an important feature for hammermills. The speed in changing the configuration of grids is essential, especially with this kind of waste. Nowadays few suppliers are able to ensure this essential feature in plants for the enhancement of mix cans from MSW.
The suppliers commitment and professionalism have enabled to renew the approach method of the treatment.
The material is not moved from a plant to another in order to be exported, buried or burned, even more plants are able to enhance metals from MSW, obtaining secondary raw materials and reintroducing them on the market.
Quality must be concrete, not only an advertising spot
Special Global Recycling Day: March 18th, 2019
The Global Recycling Day promotes the use of better technologies for the waste enhancement.
More attention has to be paid to companies which provide high levels recovery solutions in order to realise this project, avoiding faint and illusory advertising campaigns. Some companies promise top productivity results just on paper, that actually cannot be achieved, leaving clients at the mercy of problems.
introduce innovations for clients
It is very important to select the right company both for the supply of machines and also for complete plants.
The investments of companies in research and development is a distinctive trait. These can be carried out inside the company or in partnership with universities research departments.
Both methods have the aim to introduce innovations for clients. Patents is the final confirmation of high quality.
One of the most important factor is the predisposition of the supplier in listening and solving the clients problems.
A top quality product has its basis on solid Costumer Care procedures. From the tailored productive cycle development, till the treatment aimed to maximise the treated materials’ commercial value. Additional value consists in the pre-assembly and test before the start up. Only few companies focuses on a fast installation to maximise the time for the staff training.
Hammermills and economic benefits
An excellent example, for waste treatment is the hammermill. An underestimated machine but essential for the economic enhancement of metals.
The grinding process and the volumetric reduction enable to pre-treat or refining waste like electric motors, aluminium profile, cans, mix RSU, shredded collection, WEEE and other kind of waste. The mix outputs can be then conveyed to separation systems.
A top quality hammermill is able to provide financial and productivity benefits. For this reason we have to consider on the technical plan words like quality, reliability and productivity.
Some concrete examples can be made.
The grinding chamber need to have armours, so the external structure will be protected from wear.
During the working process the mill is subject to high efforts, so it is strategic important the choice of carpentries and welding. Comparing different mills which treat the same input material, we can note that in poorer models, wears appear also after a short period of use. This problems do not occur in other models with specific construction features even after several years of use.
Another yardstick are the components subject to wear. The material that makes up the hammers, need to be specially designed. Waste contained abrasive materials need to be treat with hammers, armours and grids which enables long working cycles, guaranteeing a top quality of the output product.
The applied technology has to be functional and easy to use for the operators. Maintenance and the change of setting for the different treatments (possibility to grind different types of waste) need to be carried out in short time.
This few examples are obviously related also in economic benefits.
In the future waste will be always more complex to enhance. In order to concrete the Global Recycling Day aim, it’s important to distinguish the companies like Panizzolo, that are able to provide solutions for metals enhancement and to maximize companies productivity.
Panizzolo Doubles Its Production Area
In a short time Panizzolo will complete the site extension works, doubling both the production area and the offices in Giacomo Matteotti street.
Last year the growing amount of work led to enter new skilled staff in technical, sales and after sales departments. In 2019 there will be the development of the production area that will be used for the pre assembly, testing of the machines and plants. New offices and meeting rooms will welcome our visitors.
The employment of sales and technical personnel is a guarantee of professionalism and quality. In this way Panizzolo has increased even more the assistance and the management of clients needs.