Kierrätysmetallit

Kierrätysmetallit are metals that have been recovered from used products and materials for reuse in new manufacturing processes. The term is widely used in Finland and other Nordic countries to refer to all types of scrap metal that can be processed into new products, such as aluminium, copper, steel, lead, zinc, nickel, and precious metals like gold and silver.

Recycling metals reduces the need for mining and extraction, which in turn lowers energy consumption, greenhouse‑gas emissions, water use and habitat disturbance. A typical recycling chain starts with collection and sorting at municipal or industrial facilities, followed by a separation process that may involve magnetic, eddy‑current, or density methods. Once sorted, the metal is melted or otherwise processed and alloyed with new or recycled material before being cast or forged into new components.

In Finland, the metal recycling sector is significant for the economy and the environment. Municipal waste management services often operate dedicated scrap-metal depots, and private firms specialise in the collection of metallic waste from construction sites, automotive industries, and households. The country benefits from strong circular‑economy policies, certification schemes and research into advanced sorting technologies.

The market for kierrätysmetallit is also influenced by global metal prices, trade restrictions, and technological developments such as electric‑arc furnaces and hydrogen‑based reduction processes. Because metals retain their material properties after recycling, the overall life‑cycle environmental impact continues to improve, making metal recycling an essential component of sustainable urban and industrial development.