The twentieth century brought a high level of technological progress in many areas. The widespread use of electronic devices resulted in the need to minimize the environmental impact of worn and torn devices, such as cars and household appliances. Each year, end-of-life vehicles from EU member states generate from 8 to 9 million tons of waste, which must be properly managed. It is obvious that the generation of waste must be avoided as much as possible, but we must also focus on the waste management strategy.
The project by Wtor-Steel Limited Liability Company provides for the implementation of an innovative and environmentally-friendly technology, which will guarantee a much higher level of recycling of ferrous and non-ferrous metals from the residues after shredding of cars produced by the company, in relation to the level achieved so far. It should be emphasized that the recycling of non-ferrous metals is of particular importance for the environment, since their re-use will contribute to the savings, such as the energy required in the production of original metals (saving up to 95%). Another very important thing is that the emission of CO2 into the atmosphere is significantly reduced thanks to these measures.
Shredded metal waste of cars are generated as a result of the processing of scrap. These are large amounts of waste (the processing of 50 000 mg of waste generates about 10 000 mg of car residues after shredding, which are re-used by Wtor-Steel in technological processes, in order to ensure the maximum recovery of various fractions, including: ferrous and non-ferrous metals, as well as fractions of components for the production of alternative fuels (RDF – refuse-derived fuels).
Considering the above, the Applicant decided to implement a new and environmentally-friendly technology, which will not only automate, but also optimize the processing of shredded residues of cars. Thanks to a unique configuration of devices – we will obtain a technology for effective recovering of material fractions, mainly Fe, Cu, Al, Pb and Zn, stainless steel, electric wires, “PCB” (printed circuit boards), which contain many valuable rare earth metals and precious metals. In addition to the recovery of metals, this technology is capable of the automatic separation of plastics (PE, PP), and the recovery of metals from other waste, including: worn and torn electric and electrical equipment. Sorted fractions are characterized by high purity.
Ferrous metals contain a significant percentage of iron, carbon and other substances that make up the steel. There is a strong demand for sorting non-ferrous metals, due to the widespread use of electronic products. The importance of non-ferrous metals, PCB, cooper wire and stainless steel sorted from end-of-life devices has increased considerably in recent years, and continues to increase. Products suitable for use must be treated in high purity.