Verschrottungsanlage

Verschrottungsanlage, in English often called a scrap processing plant, is a facility for the mechanical and chemical processing of scrap materials and end-of-life products to recover secondary raw materials and reduce waste volumes. Such plants are used in metal recycling, automotive dismantling, and general waste management. They produce ferrous and nonferrous metals, plastics, and residual materials suitable for energy recovery or disposal, and operate under environmental permits and standards.

Typical inputs include end-of-life vehicles, construction scrap, machinery and electrical and electronic waste. The process begins with pre-sorting and depollution, which involves removing fluids, batteries, and other hazardous components. After dismantling, the remaining material is processed in shredders or crushers and then separated by magnetic, eddy current, and air or density-based systems to yield metal concentrates, plastics, and other recyclables. Residues and non-recyclable fractions are treated in disposal or energy recovery streams.

Verschrottungsanlagen vary in scale and configuration, from dedicated end-of-life vehicle recycling lines to metal scrap yards with integrated processing. They are subject to national and European waste and environmental legislation, including permits and reporting obligations, and must implement dust control, water treatment, and emissions reduction measures. The overarching goal is to maximize material recovery while minimizing environmental impact and ensuring safe handling of hazardous substances.