Month: August 2021

Interco Recycles Scrap Galvanized Metal

As one of the largest indoor, nonferrous metal recycling facilities in North America, Interco works closely with the galvanizing industry to recycle scrap galvanized metal. Interco contributes to the vast world of manufacturing recycling by recycling metal scrap, including aluminum, zinc, brass, and bronze. Interco’s experience and extensive partnerships allow them to maximize the return on investment when recycling nonferrous metals. Galvanizers around the world rely on Interco for scrap metal recycling.

The Interco Facility is Equipped to Recycle Galvanizer Scrap on a Large-Scale

Interco recycles scrap galvanized metal at their the 450,000+ square foot recycling facility. The Interco recycling facility is comprised of seven buildings on more than 45 acres centrally located on the Illinois-side of St. Louis in the shadows of the Gateway Arch. The facility boasts a 145,000 square foot processing plant dedicated to the processing of computers and electronics with a patent-pending state-of-the-art Lithium-ion battery recycling plant. The nonferrous metal recycling processes use the remainder of the indoor facility. 

Some aspects of scrap metal recycling can be dangerous. Therefore, the staff at Interco is highly qualified to safely recycle high-risk materials. Several certifications demonstrate the company’s commitment to safe and secure recycling practices:

• R2v3 – Responsible Recycling Standards
• ISO 14001 – Environmental Management Systems
• ISO 9001 – Quality Management Systems
• ISO 45001 – Occupational Health and Safety Assessment Series Management Systems

Interco Recycles Nonferrous Metals

Interco processes over 12 million pounds of nonferrous material each month. The company uses several different processes to recycle nonferrous metals, including scrap galvanized metal:

1. Firstly, both mechanical separators and hand sorting techniques separate metals according to grade.
2. If necessary, the materials undergo processing in the metallic powder and dust separation plant.
3. Lastly, the sorted, graded, and processed metals are packaged for shipment to end customers. These customers will refine and smelt the metal into ingots for manufacturers to use to make new products.

Galvanizers contribute to both sides of the recycling process. During the galvanizing process, dross, skimmings, residue, overspray, dust, powder, and off-spec alloys are produced. All these items are made from zinc. Interco buys these items containing zinc, a nonferrous metal, and processes them into smelter-ready materials. In return, many galvanizers use the recycled metal to galvanize new goods.

Maximizing ROI for Scrap Galvanized Metal

Unlike many recyclers, Interco has many years of experience in mixed load recycling of nonferrous metals and electronic scrap. The company receives approximately 50 mixed loads each day equaling one load every nine minutes. Additionally, Interco understands that many suppliers are unable to obtain the necessary inbound load minimum required by smelters, refineries, and manufacturers. When a supplier recycles metal scrap with Interco, a mixed load can contain five to ten different items. For example, items could include dross, skimmings, powder, and off-specification parts, among others.

The Interco commercial department has established contracts with smelters, refineries, manufacturers, and mills across the world. Interco sorts, grades, and processes materials into smelter-ready metals, therefore, the need for a middleman or broker is eliminated. As a result, smelters and refineries rely on Interco as a supplier to provide a recurring stream of material. Additionally, the contracts with these companies allow Interco to pay top dollar to their sellers. Therefore, the company is typically able to buy scrap galvanized metal at higher prices than other recyclers who must search for an end consumer.

The Importance of Scrap Metal Recycling

Galvanizers are some of the largest contributors to the manufacturing recycling movement, specifically of zinc. They frequently use both refined zinc and remelt zinc to support their galvanizing processes as zinc can be recycled at all stages of production and use. Approximately 80% of zinc used in galvanizing is recyclable. Galvanizers rely on zinc recycling for a sustainable source of material.

Zinc is infinitely recyclable without any loss of its original physical or chemical properties. Zinc recovered from the galvanizing process as well as outdated galvanized products, play an important role in sustainability. Using recycled zinc results in a reduction in energy use, lower emissions, and minimized waste disposal. All of which are important for both company bottom lines and the environment.

Choose Interco to Recycle Scrap Galvanized Metal

Interco specializes in the placement of smelter-ready materials catering to a broad array of industrial, dealer, and government organizations. The company ships nonferrous scrap worldwide utilizing established partnerships with end consumers in the United States, Europe, Latin America, and Asia. As a result, galvanizers all over the nation rely on Interco to recycle metal scrap.