Verónica Castro-AllendeSpeira’s $40 million investment in upgrading its Rheinwerk plant marks a significant stride in aluminium recycling, with an expected carbon footprint reduction of up to 1.5 million tonnes per year, advancing the aluminum round economy. Boris Kurth, Head of Speira’s can business and Rheinwerk’s recycling operations, articulates the company’s ambition to lead aluminum recycling in Europe, emphasizing the transition away from energy-intensive primary aluminum production.
The addition of a third recycling furnace at Rheinwerk underscores Speira’s commitment to sustainability, with construction slated for 2025 and production commencing the following year. Concurrently, enhancements to the casting centers aim to refine recycling alloys, further diminishing environmental impact.
Rheinwerk’s expanded recycling capacity is poised to save substantial CO2 emissions compared to primary aluminum production. With strategic positioning in Europe, Rheinwerk evolves into a prominent recycling hub, aligning with Speira’s long-term transformation objectives.
A novel scrap warehouse facilitates efficient scrap management, supporting the recycling furnaces. Speira’s focus on beverage cans epitomizes its sustainability endeavors, leveraging the rapid lifecycle of cans to maximize environmental benefits. Initiatives such as research into recycling-friendly alloys and promotion of return deposit schemes underscore Speira’s dedication to advancing aluminum recycling affordability and sustainability.
Speira has announced that it will invest $40 million to upgrade its Rheinwerk plant and increase its capacity for aluminium recycling.
The major investment is anticipated to result in a cumulative carbon footprint of away to 1.5 million tonnes per year at the site, a major step toward creating an aluminum round economy.
Boris Kurth, Head of the can business at Speira and the recycling and foundry operations at Rheinwerk, explained:” We want to become the number 1 in aluminium recycling in Europe.
” Over the past 20 years, we have already constructed furnaces with world-class recycling capabilities in Europe and Europe’s most cutting-edge sorting plant for UBC scrap,” adding that this step will replace the highly energy-intensive primary aluminum production.
With the third recycling furnace at Rheinwerk, we are persistently on this course and putting our stamp on our commitment to the round economy.
Investment in Aluminum Recycling Furnace Upgrade to Reduce Carbon Footprint
Construction on the furnace is scheduled for 2025, and production will begin in the first year of production.
Speira is likewise upgrading the second of its three existing casting centers to improve recycling alloys, allowing Rheinwerk to further reduce its environmental footprint.
When complete, Rheinwerk’s increased recycling capacity will save up to 1.5 million tonnes of CO2 compared to producing the same amount of aluminium from primary sources.
Step one of the company’s expansion plans is the innovative furnace and the innovative casting plant remodel.
With its strategic location in the heart of Europe, we are expanding Rheinwerk into a leading recycling hub for our industry, which is our extended- term goal for our complete transformation”, said Kurth.
Aluminum Recycling Investment Expands with New Scrap Warehouse
A new scrap warehouse will be located in one-third of the phased-out smelter, providing storage and facilities for sampling approaching scrap and getting it ready for melting.
Kurth explained:” The long halls allow us to think and plan great. Not only the new one, but the entire novel one also provides space for the “feed” for all of our recycling furnaces.
We require the sampling of scrap types that have attained one or more life cycles. We want to make use of these “post-consumer scraps” yet more.
Moreover, the storage areas for skimmings are being expanded in the foundry.
Speira’s New Recycling Furnace Aims to Enhance Beverage Can Sustainability
The fresh recycling furnace will melt aluminium alloys for beverage cans, showcasing Speira’s sustainability ambitions.
Beverage cans have a strong life cycle, taking about 60 days from production to filling, financial sale, consumption, disposal, and recycling.
The exact amount of aluminum can be recycled more than once each year thanks to this rapid cycle, maximising the environmental benefits of advanced technology.
Speira is even working to make beverage can recycling more affordable. The business, which is coordinated by Western Aluminium, conducts research into recycling-friendly alloys and promotes return deposit schemes for this priceless gentle metal.
