Knowledge about metals,
quotations and grading.
Encyclopaedic, timeless articles about non-ferrous metals: grades and grading of material, how exchange quotations translate into the buying price, and how to prepare material for a quote.
- aluminium
Aluminium series 1xxx–8xxx: how to read alloy designations
What the aluminium alloy series 1xxx–8xxx and the EN AW designations mean: the main alloying element, properties, typical applications and how the series translates into a material grade in scrap buying.
Read - circular economy
The circular economy in practice: seven decisions on the shop floor
In a production plant the circular economy is settled not at strategy level but at the container on the shop floor. We set out seven decisions that actually close the loop on production waste, from separation at source to measuring yield and choosing a buyer.
Read - aluminium
Aluminium recycling in a closed loop: what actually closes it
Aluminium is the textbook example of a closed material loop, but the loop only closes when wrought alloys are kept apart from casting alloys. We explain alloy cascading and what decides whether an extrusion comes back as an extrusion.
Read - metal recycling
An introduction to metal recycling: how scrap returns to production
How does scrap return to production? Learn the stages of metal recycling: grading, preparation and remelting, plus what determines a batch’s value.
Read - brass
How to tell brass, bronze and copper apart
Brass, bronze or copper? We explain how to tell these metals apart by colour, weight and typical application, what the magnet test actually proves and why chrome-plated tapware is still brass.
Read - weighing
What happens when scrap is received at a branch: weighing, grading, paperwork
From driving in to payment: weighing on authorised, verified scales, grade assessment, deductions for contamination and documents. We explain step by step what to expect and what to bring with you.
Read - sorting
How to sort scrap before selling it — and why it pays
A mixed batch of scrap settles according to its weakest fraction. We explain what is genuinely worth separating before sale, which contaminants lower the value and how to set up segregation on the shop floor so production waste is worth more.
Read - waste codes
Waste codes when selling scrap metal: 17 04, 12 01 and the rest
Which waste code goes on the transfer note when selling scrap metal? We cover subgroups 17 04 and 12 01, packaging codes and how to handle mixed material. A practical guide for companies keeping records in the Polish BDO system.
Read - electric motors
Electric motors, alternators and starters — what drives the price
Electric motors are not priced by gross weight but by the estimated copper yield from the winding. We explain how alternators, starters and industrial motors are valued, and whether it pays to strip them down yourself.
Read - aluminium
Aluminium grades in scrap buying: extrusion, castings, turnings
A guide to the aluminium grades accepted in scrap buying: clean extrusion, castings, wheels, radiators, turnings and litho sheet. We explain how they differ, what downgrades a batch and why separating grades raises its value.
Read - BDO
BDO and KPO when selling scrap — step by step
BDO and scrap buying: who needs to be registered, what a waste transfer card (KPO) is and what selling scrap as a business looks like step by step. We explain the formalities of waste trading in plain language.
Read - ferrous scrap
W2 heavy melting scrap vs N10 light scrap — ferrous scrap classes
How does heavy melting scrap differ from light scrap? We explain the ferrous scrap classes W2 and N10: thickness, cleanliness, suitability for charging to the furnace and the effect on price. A practical guide to sorting steel before selling.
Read - copper
What is Millberry copper and how much is it worth
Millberry is the purest grade of copper scrap — bright wire without insulation. We explain where the name Millberry comes from, how to recognise it, how it differs from copper heavy and unsorted copper, and why it is priced the highest.
Read - copper
What determines the copper price in scrap buying
The copper price per kilogram and per tonne depends on LME quotations, grade, purity and quantity. We explain what really shapes the rate for copper scrap and how to read quotations before you sell your material.
Read - quotations
How LME quotations translate into the scrap buying price
Exchange quotations for metals (LME) are a point of reference, not a price list. We explain what separates the tonne price on the exchange from the rate for your material: grade, quality, quantity and processing cost.
Read - copper
Copper grades in scrap buying: Millberry, copper heavy, unsorted
A guide to the copper grades accepted in scrap buying: Millberry, copper heavy, unsorted copper and copper granules. We explain how they differ, how to recognise them and why grading determines the price.
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