In modern electronics manufacturing, the demands for process reliability, efficiency, and environmental sustainability are constantly increasing. With the development of…
Sustainable Metal Recycling: A Climate-Friendly Approach That Delivers High Quality
Metal recycling offers enormous potential for reducing CO2 emissions. Scientific studies have shown for years that the circular economy plays a central role in climate protection. This potential is particularly evident in metal recycling: High-quality recycled raw materials are comparable in quality to virgin raw materials and can be used to manufacture new products. This conserves valuable resources and energy and significantly reduces CO2 emissions.
To further reduce CO2 emissions, the industry must increase the proportion of recycled metals. There is enormous recycling potential, particularly for tin—a metal used in solders in the electrical and electronics sectors, as well as in the production of tinplate. There is no primary production of tin in Germany. Therefore, secondary recovery is essential for ensuring a sustainable economic cycle.
FELDER GMBH Soldering Technology: A Pioneer in Metal Recycling
FELDER GMBH Löttechnik, headquartered in Oberhausen with a branch in Loffenau, has been integrating the recycling of metals and metal-containing waste into its corporate strategy for decades. As early as 2008, the company received approval (pursuant to Section 26(3) of the Circular Economy Act) from the Düsseldorf District Government to collect metal residues from customers and recycle them. Thanks to its official recognition as a specialized waste management company, FELDER GMBH Löttechnik can professionally collect and process metal waste from soldering processes and return it to the production cycle.
At the Loffenau facility in southern Germany, the recycling process is carried out for the company’s entire solder production, as well as for customers’ solder waste and scrap.
Efficient Collection Systems for Customers
FELDER GMBH Soldering Technology also actively supports its customers in environmentally responsible recycling: the company provides cost-neutral, loaner collection containers for the metal waste generated by its customers’ soldering processes. These containers ensure the safe transport of solder scrap to the specialized disposal facility in Loffenau, where it is professionally recycled.
These impressive figures from the company speak for themselves:
- > 600 metric tons of tin-based non-ferrous metals were recycled in Loffenau in 2023.
- Approx. 9,500 metric tons of CO2 were saved through metal recycling compared to the use of primary raw materials.
- Every metric ton of recycled tin reduces thecarbon footprint by 86%.
Top 3 in Germany, according to a DERA study
A notable achievement: FELDER GMBH Löttechnik ranks among the top three companies in Germany in terms of the use of recycled raw materials. This finding comes from the German Raw Materials Agency (DERA), which conducted a study examining the current state of metal recycling in metal production and processing in Germany (as of 2023).
In secondary tin extraction—which is used, among other things, in solder production—scrap metal is recovered and returned to the economic cycle in the form of new products. The industry has long relied on recycling processes in metal production to make a valuable contribution to environmental protection. The trend is rising sharply.
FELDER GMBH Löttechnik’s in-house recycling program underscores the company’s commitment to sustainability and its positive impact on climate protection.
Sustainable Raw Material Sourcing: A Smart Combination of Recycling and Responsible Sourcing
FELDER GMBH Löttechnik also meets its customers’ individual requirements when it comes to recycling. The most environmentally friendly andCO2-efficient option here is reuse, in which metals are collected by type and reprocessed. This guarantees a high degree of purity in the reprocessed alloy. Nevertheless, the use of recycled material is not an option for all applications or for all customers. FELDER GMBH Löttechnik has the right solution for this as well: tin from electroplating processes or virgin tin. FELDER GMBH Löttechnik sources this tin from sustainable and trustworthy mining regions in Peru or electrolytic tin from European sources. For use in its solders, the company guarantees that the tin contained therein comes exclusively from approved mines in accordance with the “Responsible Minerals Initiative (RMI).”
By carefully selecting and combining different sources of supply for various applications, it is possible to reduce environmental impact and promote sustainable raw material cycles.
Quality and Sustainability as a Corporate Philosophy
FELDER GMBH Löttechnik places great emphasis on consistently high quality. The company has this commitment officially confirmed each year by DEKRA through ISO 9001 certification. This internationally recognized quality standard stands for effective and sustainable quality management and ensures the quality of its products.
Sustainability also plays a central role at FELDER GMBH Löttechnik. For this reason, the company’s environmental management system is recertified annually in accordance with ISO 14001—a clear sign of its commitment to the responsible use of natural resources and to continuous improvement in this area.
Although there is currently no legal obligation to prepare a sustainability report, FELDER GMBH Löttechnik has made a conscious decision to publish such a report for the first time in 2024. In doing so, the company is sending a clear message: For us, sustainability is not just a trend, but an integral part of our corporate philosophy. The report provides insights into our measures to date, our goals, and our commitment to responsible and forward-looking corporate management. Insert link to the report!
Conclusion: Sustainability as a Corporate Philosophy
FELDER GMBH Soldering Technology is committed to the responsible use of resources. Through consistent metal recycling, the company actively contributes to climate protection, reducesCO2 emissions, and conserves valuable primary resources.
With official approval from the Düsseldorf District Government, FELDER GMBH Löttechnik is implementing a sustainable circular economy concept at its Loffenau branch. This ensures that metal waste is efficiently reintroduced into solder production and that valuable raw materials are utilized to the fullest extent possible.
As a leading company in the field of metal recycling, FELDER GMBH provides industry, commerce, and the skilled trades with innovative, sustainable solutions for the responsible use of raw materials.
Through a smart combination of various sources of supply—ranging from high-quality recycled materials to sustainably sourced virgin tin—the company optimizes its use of resources and sustainably reduces its environmental impact.