Integrated Battery Recycling at BERZELIUS Metall GmbH, Germany - A Closed Loop!

Abstract:

A presentation is given on the worldwide unique closed battery recycling loop that the German company group BERZELIUS METALL GmbH characterises. BERZELIUS treats and recycles automotive and industrial batteries, scraps and lead containing waste in a very efficient way. The group is leader in processing lead, lead alloys, silver, sulphuric acid, sodium sulphate and polypropylene-compounds (Seculene®). The processes and management of the three modern smelters – one primary and two secondaries - as well as a logistic company are described. Utmost attention is given to their state-of-the-art technologies, starting with the secondary smelters BSB and MRU. The treatment of the different components of old batteries is illustrated - i. e. plastics in the BSB compounding plant with the registered Polypropylene quality Seculene®, paste and grid metals etc – amongst secondary lead which is available in more than 100 qualities according to customers’ specifications. The integration of an incinerator for hazardous wastes at MRU - enabling the recovery of the energy content of toxic wastes - in the allied subsidiaries, provides the closing link for the exemplary recycling of materials and wastes during the production of lead, plastics, and sulphuric acid. Technological leadership in the production of primary lead and sulphuric acid assures the most modern QSL process at the BBH smelter. The range of products includes high purity lead, silver, copper/lead matte and BERZELIT® slag. Forward-looking was the latest expansion of the sulphuric acid plant with a significant capacity increase.Responsibility for the environment is a matter of principle at BERZELIUS Metall: The production subsidiaries were among the first of this industrial sector to be certified as users of an integrated management system of quality, workplace safety and environmental protection. The application of environmentally sound processes, an intelligent management and control of materials, and the encapsulation and hooding of plants and warehouses, lead to a closed-circuit recycling of resources, which the efficiency of the measures employed. The reduction of waste releases, the continuing decrease of emissions and the steady reduction of the blood lead levels and lost time accidents are impressive proofs of this strategy.

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