In the previous lesson we have learned about the metallurgical processes. In this lesson Jan-Henk Welink discusses what process is used for what type of secondary resource.

Main takeaways

• There are generally two major types of secondary resources for metals recycling: (1) metal scrap and (2) metal containing wastes or residues. There are two types of metal scrap: (1) relatively pure metal scrap from production processes (or new scrap), and (2) scrap that contains many sorts of metals like End-Of-Life products (or old scrap).
• New scrap is directly re-melted to new metal, or melted and refined to pure metal or alloys without unnecessary oxidation and reduction.
• Old scrap and metal containing wastes or residues are usually refined via pyro-, hydro-, and electrometallurgical methods.  Often the residues are processed in primary smelters together with concentrates.
• Recycling of critical metals from for example End-Of-Life products is more  challenging than the other metal, due to their trace amount and at low concentrations.