Procurri and Igneo Unite
Global tech solutions provider, Procurri, has joined forces with Igneo Technologies to introduce an e-scrap recycling program.
Korea Zinc’s subsidiary, Igneo Technologies, will deliver recycling services for Procurri’s Lifecycle Service operations. According to a press release, the combined presence of the three companies in different geographical locations means the organizations are “uniquely positioned to provide turnkey and vertically integrated global recycling solutions for their customers and partners.”
Appointing Igneo Over Competitors
As the global president of Lifecycle Services at Procurri, Evrim Eravci explained why Igneo was chosen. He cited the organizations footprint, the ability to scale up quickly, and its shared values of environmental sustainability as core reasons for the selection.
In addition, he expressed that Igneo “shares our core ESG values surrounding the environment and our commitment as an organization to help make the world a better place.”
Refurbishment Before Disassembly
Before any equipment acquired by Procurri can be used, the team first inspects and assesses its condition to establish whether refurbishment is an option.
Should technicians determine that refurbishment is not a possibility, the item is then sent on to Igneo or Korea Zinc for disassembly. From there, components are sorted into plastic, ferrous metals, non-ferrous metals and precious metal bearing parts.
Igneo’s facility in France, and Korea Zinc’s Onsan smelter will further manage the processing of precious metals and copper-based commodities. Meanwhile, plastics, steel, and aluminum are to be forwarded to other end processors for additional handling.
EvTerra Opens Facilities Across the United States
At the beginning of February, Igneo’s subsidiary, evTerra, an electronic scrap processor, took a crucial step in its goal of nationwide expansion with the initiation of its large-scale shredding and separation system in Nevada. This marked a key milestone in the company’s development plan.
evTerra, based in Forest Park, Ga., has extended its shredding system to Henderson, Nev. with a 103,000-square-foot facility that was opened near Las Vegas during November last year. Jeff Gloyd, president of evTerra, mentioned that this is its first processing plant outside Atlanta.
Owned by Igneo Technologies, evTerra focuses on the processing of low- and mid-grade end-of-life electronics. Last year, the metals mining and refining giant, Korea Zinc, acquired Igneo in an impressive $332 million deal to build a secondary smelter for e-scrap and related metals streams in Savannah, Georgia on top of its already existing smelter in France.
Since its establishment in 2021, evTerra has set out to guarantee a reliable source of raw materials for smelters. The company’s growth plans are bold, beginning with the recycling plant in Henderson followed by Elgin, Illinois and San Antonio, Texas.
Despite the challenge of synchronizing the near-identical processing plants in various cities, Gloyd indicated that the company is determined to secure both e-Stewards and R2 certification for all locations. He noted that achieving this entails managing “an incredible number of moving pieces.”
Adding that, “It’s crazy but fun.”
Several Options for Moving Circuit Boards Downstream
When evTerra first began leasing the building in Henderson, it was completely vacant. This allowed the firm to construct small offices, but still have a large open space for operations and production of around 100,000 square feet.
Gloyd noted that this plant is equipped with an SSI Q145 shredder, which differs from its 140 model in terms of electric motors instead of hydraulics. To guarantee a high standard, the sorting system includes two magnets in combination with a Steinert eddy current separator and manual pick stations.
He also mentioned that he was pleased to report that the shredding system “was delivered essentially as expected and on time, which is a challenge nowadays.” Gloyd attributed this success to a few key elements; ordering the shredder with plenty of lead time, the hard work of evTerra’s employees and contractors in keeping the project on track, and most notably, the cooperation from local permitting authorities.
When asked about the capital investment cost for this facility, he declined to give specifics.
Additional Opportunities
With the new machinery up and running in Henderson, evTerra has begun exploring further possibilities. Feed hopper technology and an automatic sorter are currently being discussed, he explained. However, due to the swift conveyor belts, high production output and variable feedstock, it appeared that robotic sorting would not be a viable solution for this system, according to Gloyd.
Nevada currently lacks a large-scale shredding and sorting system, he said. To help fill this gap, the company’s business development team has been collaborating with an array of scrap suppliers. These include sources from hospitality, schools, financial institutions and ITAD as well as e-scrap collection and disassembly companies.
When it comes to moving printed circuit board scrap, Gloyd noted that the Henderson facility has several routes available before the Savannah smelter opens. Given its proximity to Los Angeles and Long Beach ports, evTerra could transfer material overseas for processing at either Korea Zinc in South Korea or Igneo’s smelter in France. But this would be subject to costly ocean freight charges.
“We’ll ship the first load by the end of the month and then we’ll see which direction we’re going to go,” he stated.
Continued Future Growth
When the Savannah smelter is operational, estimated in late 2024, it is anticipated that PCBs will be transported to the facility mainly by rail and road vehicles.
In the near future, Henderson will be joined by another evTerra plant San Antonio. The Elgin facility opened in Q2 of 2022, with San Antonio is set to activate in March of 2023.
