Unlocking Value in Wire-Rich Waste Streams
18/09/2025
How the MagThro™ Eddy Current Separator recovered high-value metals from a challenging fraction.
The challenge
Historically, this type of material would have been sold on as low-value Zorba. However, tightening legislation and increasing red tape around export and resale have made this route far more difficult. To achieve maximum value, the stream now needed to be significantly cleaner and the customer was unsure whether any recoverable value remained.
Our solution
The material was tested using the MagThro™ Eddy Current Separator, engineered to separate non-ferrous metals from complex waste streams with accuracy and consistency. Its high-energy rotor and precision splitter design make it particularly effective in recovering fine and difficult materials, including wire-rich fractions.
The results
Testing demonstrated that this so-called “waste” stream still held significant value. More than a quarter of the material was successfully recovered as clean, high-value non-ferrous metals, including aluminium, stainless steel, copper, and PCBs.
By unlocking overlooked value, the MagThro delivered measurable returns while diverting volumes away from landfill.
Customer feedback
The client was impressed by the outcome. Material once considered worthless proved to generate both financial and environmental benefits, showing how modern separation technology can meet the challenges of today’s tighter recycling standards.
Conclusion
This case study highlights how the MagThro™ Eddy Current Separator helps recyclers uncover value in streams that might otherwise be written off as non-usable. By maximising non-ferrous metal recovery and reducing disposal costs, the system delivers both commercial and sustainability gains.
