CERATIZIT recycling service – ecological, sustainable and economical
For us, recycling means the responsible handling of resources.
By deliberately conserving limited primary resources, we aim to significantly increase the proportion of recovered materials using carbide recycling.
By recycling secondary materials, CERATIZIT also limits the consequences of intensive mining, such as air, water and soil pollution, and helps check the excessive use of energy.
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Do you know what is in your worn tools?
Your carbide tools contain high amounts of the sought-after materials cobalt (Co) and tungsten (W). Depending on the degree of hardness of the carbide, the tungsten content may be between 65% and 90%, while the cobalt content may be up to 25%. Cobalt is used in the manufacture of lithium-ion batteries, for instance, and is one of the most in-demand materials due to the rise in e-mobility.
Primary extraction of cobalt and tungsten from ore is a laborious process – 250 tonnes of ore must be mined and processed to produce one tonne of tungsten. Recycling used carbide results in a much better yield as well as a lower environmental impact.
This means the extraction of raw materials via recycling is much more efficient overall, saves large amounts of energy and protects the environment.
Two methods for efficient carbide recycling
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.
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.
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In collaboration with Stadler Metalle GmbH & Co. KG
Stadler is involved in the recycling and trading of secondary raw materials. With a network of globally active partners and its own fleet of vehicles, the Türkheim-based company is able to respond flexibly and quickly to the requirements of its customers.
Based on many years of experience, Stadler combines quality, service and price to provide a range of services in line with market requirements.
Go to Stadler Metalle