Treatment of metal-rich WEEE-plastics with brominated flame retardants in an integrated metal smelter meets all environmental emissions requirements

A full scale trial to assess the technical feasibility of treating mixed WEEE materials with high plastics content in an integrated metal smelter has been completed. Results confirm that for closely connected mixtures between metals and plastics with brominated flame retardants integrated metal smelters can represent an appropriate recycling route, as metals can be recovered highly efficiently and the plastic content can serve as an energy source and reducing agent . The trial also showed that the treatment of such materials in an integrated metals smelter does not affect the operational or environmental performance of the smelter.European industry organisation PlasticsEurope, in cooperation with the Umicore integrated metals smelter and the European Flame Retardant Association (EFRA) performed this test. Carried out in the context of the implementation of the EU WEEE Directive , this trial demonstrates that economic and environmental viable routes exist to recover valuable metals from specific WEEE fractions without the need to separate all contained plastics with flame retardants prior to treatment. In materials with a very close interconnection between certain metals with plastics like circuit boards - a preceding mechanical separation process can have a contra productive effect on the recovery of economically and environmentally valuable minor elements such as precious and special metals.The intention of the test was not to promote the treatment of mixed, entire WEEE devices in integrated smelters, which clearly focus on non-ferrous metals recovery. Wherever plastics can be removed beforehand in an eco-efficient way, this is further regarded as the preferred option. (1) Integrated metals smelters enable, within a single operations facility, the simultaneous recovery of a large range of elements from WEEE, including precious and base metals while achieving high environmental emissions standards (2) Using metal-rich WEEE plastics as feedstock/fuel substitute for an integrated metals smelter?, November 2006. Technical Report produced by: PlasticsEurope in cooperation with Umicore and EFRA (3) 2/3 of the plastics? energy content was used to replace consumption of coke and fuel oil and approximately 1/3 was recovered as increased steam production. (4) http://www.preciousmetals.umicore.com (5) Directive 2002/96/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 27 January 2003 on waste electrical and electronic equipment.