Current challenges in copper recycling: aligning insights from material flow analysis with technological research developments and industry issues in Europe and North America

This paper examines the copper recycling chain - from scrap generation through to metallurgical recovery in search for current challenges and technological opportunities improvement. We provide an analysis of global flows, showing largely constant amounts recycled a rise importance complex end-of-life (EoL) compared less challenging manufacturing scrap. Source separation EoL as answer waste complexity is examined but dismissed not viable. A literature review on developments sorting technology revealed new promising possibilities sensor-based technologies. However, examples their use tasks specific are rare far market-ready. Metallurgical has experienced major last years. In particular, there no easy solution removal lead when remelting alloys. Interviews with experts industry that handling processing differs widely between companies also Europe North America. While extensive testing load optimization common practice Europe, discussion responsibility composition consequently burden underway dealers recyclers Scrap availability whole important topics. more coordinated approach actors along could potentially reduce overall costs increase its