CERATIZIT recycling service – ecological, sustainable and economical

• It couldn't be simpler – we organise every step of the process for you.
  We repurchase your cemented carbide, based on the current market price and supply quantity-specific containers and transport solutions free of charge. Our optimised recycling processes guarantee an increased yield rate of the secondary raw materials.
• For carbide, there are two different methods for returning the end product to the constituent materials:
  First the thermal zinc process, resulting in a powder containing over 99% of the tungsten carbide in its original form, along with metallic cobalt and other additives such as grain growth inhibitors.
  Secondly, there is a chemical process where cobalt results as a separate by-product and very little energy is used. For both processes we work closely with our partner company Global Tungsten & Powders (GTP) in the USA.
  

As soon as we receive the worn indexable inserts and tools, they will be transported to our recycling facilities to be recycled into powder. Two methods are used for reprocessing: thermal zinc recycling or a chemical process.
 
1. The thermal zinc process
In the zinc process, carbide is charged with pieces of zinc in graphite crucibles and processed in a special furnace. The technology is based on the fact that the cobalt binder reacts with the molten zinc that diffuses in. As a result of this reaction, intermetallic phases with high volumetric expansion are formed. The carbide puffs up and breaks up into thin layers. What remains is a porous mass of tungsten carbide and cobalt. After this reaction, the zinc is vaporised at high temperatures and recovered. The porous mass is then crushed into powder. This is followed by a fine grinding process and the production of a homogeneous batch in a batch mixer.
In contrast to the chemical process, there is no chemical conversion of the tungsten carbide and the binder metal in the zinc process. This means that the original tungsten carbide grain size of the carbide does not change and the cobalt can also be recovered. Since the zinc process only involves a physical-mechanical modification with no changes to the chemical composition, the use of correctly sorted, clean scrap is required to ensure a high-quality reclaim.

• Thermal treatment of used carbide with zinc
• Recycled powder contains over 99% of the tungsten carbide in its original form
• More cost-efficient in comparison with chemical processes
• Environmentally friendly, as no chemical liquids are used

2. The chemical process
All components of the used carbide are dissolved into their atomic constituents and, after refinement, extraction, crystallisation and subsequent powder metallurgical thermal treatment, are converted back into the raw products. The energy input required for the process is very low. Cobalt results as a separate by-product of the process.

• Individual solutions
  Together, we optimise your cycle from sales to scrap return, from production to repurchasing, in a long-term partnership.
• Certified quality
  We have developed processing methods, certified to ISO 9001 and ISO 14001 standard, to convert carbide products after use to recyclable powder. This means that you can always rely on the outstanding quality of our carbide grades.
• Social and ecological responsibility
  Help to conserve the earth's valuable and limited primary resources by acting mindfully! Recycling limits the consequences of intensive mining, such as air, water and soil pollution, as well as the excessive use of energy. With up to 75% energy savings and 40% reduction of the total CO₂ output, this proves the high efficiency of recycling in terms of energy and environment management.
  

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