Scrap cable recycling is one of the sectors in the industrial sector that provides the fastest return on investment (ROI) due to the high-purity recovery of copper and aluminum from waste. By calculating the amount of scrap to be processed, the cost of raw material procurement, and the market sales value of the resulting copper concentrate with 99.8% purity, the payback period for these facilities ranges from an average of 6 to 12 months.

The primary goal of e-waste and printed circuit board (PCB) recycling processes is to sort components containing base metals—such as copper, aluminum, brass, and tin—as well as precious metals (gold, silver, and palladium). With the right crushing, shredding, and optical/densimetric sorting lines, more than 95% of the waste is converted into raw materials.

Extracting copper by burning cables is prohibited under environmental regulations and is subject to heavy fines. Furthermore, the burning process reduces the quality and market value of the copper. Mechanical crushing and air separation (granulation) methods are both environmentally friendly and ensure that the maximum commercial value is obtained while preserving the purity of the copper.

Dry-process cable shredders separate plastic and metal using density differences (densimetric separation) and airflow, without the use of water or chemicals. They do not produce sludge waste, do not require additional treatment costs, and are fully compliant with environmental standards. Wet-process systems, on the other hand, are not preferred in today’s industry due to the costs associated with water treatment and drying.

Very thin, frayed, or hair-like automotive cables can turn into dust when passed through standard crushing screens. For optimal separation of these types of waste, Turbo Mill grinders and Zig-Zag air separators are used after the main crushing unit. These systems separate the plastic and fine copper into perfectly round shapes, achieving a purity of 99% or higher.

Twin-shaft shredder systems are used to pre-shred large-sized waste using high torque and low RPM. They reduce the size of automotive radiators, whole e-waste items, large-diameter industrial cables, and plastic blocks before they enter the granulator. DSH

To establish a metal and cable recycling facility, a “Non-Hazardous Waste Collection and Sorting Certificate” or a “Temporary Operating Permit (GFB)” must be obtained from the Ministry of Environment, Urbanization, and Climate Change. The machinery to be used at the facility must be CE-certified and comply with occupational safety and health (OSH) standards as well as noise and dust emission limits.

Foundries and copper processing plants require high-purity (99.5% and above) scrap copper suitable for direct smelting. The price per metric ton of scrap copper decreases if it is mixed with plastic or PVC particles. Copper obtained using high-tech densimetric separators is priced close to LME (London Metal Exchange) standards.