Advancements in Aluminium Recycling: Skapa and REDWAVE Lead the Way

Addressing Environmental Challenges
In light of growing global environmental concerns and resource scarcity, effective recycling practices are becoming increasingly crucial. Skapa Recycling GmbH, in collaboration with REDWAVE, has achieved notable advancements in aluminium recycling, utilizing cutting-edge technology to enhance recyclability while minimizing environmental impact.

The Value of Aluminium Recycling
Aluminium stands out as a highly sustainable material, capable of being recycled indefinitely without quality loss. Recycling a single aluminium beverage can significantly conserves resources and energy, using only about five percent of the energy needed for new production from bauxite. However, in Austria, only around 6,000 of the 12,000 tonnes of used aluminium beverage cans (UBCs) are officially recycled, often resulting in low-grade alloys.

Commitment to Sustainable Practices
Since 2011, Skapa has been dedicated to transforming the recycling landscape. They efficiently process used beverage cans at their advanced facility in Eastern Austria, producing cleaned and briquetted UBCs. These are then delivered to specialized manufacturers across Europe, ensuring that every can is returned to the recycling loop.

Innovative Sorting Technology
The recycling of used aluminium cans involves complex processes, particularly in cleaning and removing contaminants. The challenge of separating heavy metals led Anton Skalnik, managing director of Skapa, to seek innovative solutions, which he found in the REDWAVE XRF sorting machine. This technology excels in sorting aluminium based on its chemical composition, greatly enhancing efficiency and maximizing material recovery.

A Sustainable Partnership
The collaboration between REDWAVE and Skapa illustrates how advanced sorting technologies can transform aluminium recycling. Skalnik emphasizes that their partnership represents a significant leap toward a more sustainable future in recycling.

Flexible and Sustainable Operations
The REDWAVE XRF sorting machine features a modular design, allowing for initial narrow sorting with the option to expand for higher capacities later. Additionally, Skalnik utilizes electricity from his photovoltaic system to power much of the machinery, further reducing the facility’s carbon footprint.