Ferrous scrap at the base of the circular economy

The recovery and recycling of ferrous scrap is fully part of the circular economy project. The automotive sector is central to the energy recovery project dear to the European Union. The new circular economy action plan approved by the European Parliament in February 2021 involves all the social actors responsible for environmental pollution.

But let’s start from the basics and principles of the circular economy to understand how the vehicles recovery to be demolished can fit into our discourse.

Ferrous scrap: a resource for the green economy

The circular economy is the production model based on the loan and reuse of reconditioned materials as long as possible. In the perspective of circularity when the product has been used and has terminated its function, the raw materials of which it is composed, often ferrous materials, are reintroduced into the economic cycle, assuming a new use or value. The circular economy is the valid alternative to the linear model, based on a disposable scheme of the product and its components. In the traditional economy there is a need for large quantities of resources and energy available at low cost. Today, given the increase in the world population and therefore in the demand for goods and services, there is a scarcity of raw materials. Moreover, in Europe, because of the lack of resources, we are dependent on imports from other countries with considerable economic damage.

Advantages of recycling and reuse

That is why the EU’s goals for the coming years are clear: achieve a zero-carbon, pollution-free economy and move around by 2050. The advantages of the sustainable transition encouraged by policies such as industry 4.0 are:

• Reduction of environmental impact
• Increase in employment
• Technological innovation
• Domestic raw material requirements, without recourse to foreign imports.

The recovery of ferrous scrap

Every year in Italy there are more than a million cars to be scrapped and certainly an important input to the demolition market comes from state incentives to buy new electric cars. Authorized demolition companies use state-of-the-art presses to recycle car components, such as tires, bodywork, mechanical parts and steel. The recovery of steel is fundamental for the circular process that goes from the wrecker to the steel industry.

In fact, steel is 100% recoverable, it is recyclable through electricity and its production generates 7 to 20 times less CO2 than other materials (Bureau of International Recycling (BIR).

The recovery of scrap metal such as steel and iron within the circular economy allows the acquisition of raw materials always available for the steel industry and the saving of limited natural resources.

In Europe at present 40% of steel production is the result of the recovery of ferrous material.

The circular economy is the future and as a manufacturer of presses and press shears for junkyards we feel involved in the change: Ecotecnica Europe machines are in line with European regulations for the almost total recovery of durable consumer goods.