Speira has inaugurated a new aluminium recycling furnace at its Rheinwerk facility in Neuss, Germany, following an investment of approximately €40 million. The installation has an annual processing capacity of around 60,000 tonnes and is designed to increase the supply of recycled aluminium for beverage can production.
The investment also includes the optimisation of the third of Rheinwerk’s four casting lines for recycled alloys, additional storage capacity for 6,500 tonnes of used beverage can scrap, and facilities for receiving and sampling incoming scrap.
Located within the 300-metre-long halls of the former aluminium smelter, the new furnace represents another step in transforming the site into a centre for the circular aluminium economy. The furnace is also hydrogen-ready, allowing for potential integration with a hydrogen supply network in the future.
“Europe needs more circular economy and fewer raw material losses,” said Einar Glomnes, CEO of Speira, highlighting the importance of retaining aluminium within the production cycle. 
Aluminium recycling requires approximately 95% less energy than primary aluminium production, making it an important route to reducing energy consumption and dependence on primary raw materials.
Demand for recycled aluminium in beverage cans has been a key driver of Speira’s capacity expansion. The new facilities will enable the company to process more scrap into recycled aluminium products, supporting circular material flows and the competitiveness of European industry.
Source: Speira with additional information added by Glass Balkan
