Innovative Recycling Techniques: Japan's Lead in Reusing Cable and Stainless Steel
Rewriting Recycling Revolution: Metal Recovery at Its Best
Japan's metal titan, MATEC Inc., has just unveiled what could be the pinnacle of recycling technology — a cutting-edge Automotive Shredder Residue (ASR) processing plant in Tomakomai, nestled near Sapporo. Amidst a nation known for its technological prowess and high recycling rates, this complex is beyond impressive, handling an impressive 30,000 tonnes annually. Driven by revolutionary sorting techniques from STEINERT, MATEC's plant is the largest of its kind globally, proving that Japan takes recycling seriously.
Maximizing Metal Control
The plant gathers and refines shredder light fractions (SLF) and Zorba materials from six other MATEC plants in two separate sorting lines. One line focuses on heavy metals like stainless steel, while the other zeroes in on a light fraction's mineral composition. Even small fragments as tiny as 6 mm are handled, shepherded towards the recycling process. Ten innovative STEINERT sensor sorting systems, six non-ferrous metal separators, and two electromagnets are the unsung heroes here, playing a crucial role in splitting these materials for maximum efficiency.
Obsessing over Stainless Steel
At its core, this plant aims to recover stainless steel and cable materials (like copper), hiding in the shredder residue's depths. The heavy fraction line carefully processes the material in various sizes, then passes it through several stages. Utilizing advanced separation techniques, including non-ferrous separators, magnetic separators, STEINERT ISS induction sorting systems, and STEINERT KSS CLI high-tech systems with induction, 3D, and color detection, these systems work in tandem to ensure an efficient separation in the 30-60 mm and 60-120 mm size ranges.
Managing Shredder Light Fractions
Handling SLF with precision is paramount, and the system doesn't falter. Fractions below 25 mm find their way through non-ferrous separators and induction sorters, as they dutifully expel metals. These metal concentrates are then processed in a downstream system with X-ray transmission (XRT), ensuring the remaining materials, primarily composed of plastic, rubber, and similar materials, are usable as fuel for the local cement industry.
Zenki, masterminds in steel construction, built the facility's structure. On the cooperation, Armin Vogel, Head of Regional Sales Asia at STEINERT, remarks, 'We've combined expertise in steel construction with our knowledge of recycling, building a plant that revolutionizes the handling of shredder residues.' Serhii Govorovskyi, Foreign Relation Manager at MATEC, underscores STEINERT's reliability, stating, "STEINERT consistently provides reliable, high-quality products, and exceptional technical support. Their machines are robust and are the most reliable in the market."
Dedicated to Sustainability and Tech Innovation
The Tomakomai facility exemplifies how technology and sustainability can harmonize. The advanced sorting solutions furnished by STEINERT ensure that significant amounts of valuable metals are recovered from shredder residues, while the remaining materials are duly transformed into fuel or raw materials. This circular economy triumph not only protects natural resources but also drastically reduces the industry's carbon footprint, promoting a forward-thinking environmental ethos.
MATEC's investment in state-of-the-art recycling technology sets a new bar in the Japanese recycling market, proclaiming MATEC's innovative role in the recovery of valuable resources. The motto, 'I ❤️ RECYCLE', reflects MATEC's steadfast commitment to sustainability and its position as a global leader in the industry. Joining forces with MATEC, STEINERT stands ready to empower other companies around the world with tailored solutions and jointly push towards a greener future.
Enrichment Insights
- The Tomakomai facility harnesses STEINERT's advanced sensor-based technologies, such as X-ray transmission (XRT) sorting, eddy current separators, magnetic separation, NIR (Near-Infrared) and color sorting, to efficiently detect, separate, and recover precious metals like stainless steel and copper.
- MATEC's Tomakomai plant, while specific annual throughput figures are not detailed, is recognized as one of the most advanced and largest ASR (Automotive Shredder Residue) sorting operations in Japan, with a notable high capacity compared to other domestic sites.
- The strategic combination of these technologies contributes to the plant's industry-leading performance in recovering stainless steel and cable (copper) materials from ASR. The outcome is an operation that showcases unparalleled efficiency and enables Japan to advance its recycling and circular economy goals meaningfully.
- In conjunction with MATEC's strategic investment in advanced recycling technology, the company's financial resources have been allocated to further the adoption of cutting-edge technology in the realm of metal recovery, particularly focusing on the efficient detection and separation of precious metals such as stainless steel and copper.
- By incorporating technology in its operations, MATEC's Tomakomai facility has demonstrated a significant fusion of finance, technology, and the industry, making it a key player globally in promoting a circular economy and reducing the carbon footprint, proving that high-tech solutions can indeed drive sustainability.
