Circular economy
Closing material cycles is a key lever for reducing our environmental impact and, at the same time, a strategic contribution to securing critical raw materials for the long term. Our target is to increase the recycled in our products to more than 90% by 2030. We are already continuously increasing our capacity to process recyclable materials by making targeted investments in developing our in-house recycling capabilities and expertise.
An overview of our targets
| Wieland ambitions | Deliverables | Target year | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| We will increase the share of recycled content in our products to >90% by 2030, supporting a circular economy and resource efficiency. | Recycling center commissioned in Shelbyville, KY (USA) | 2024/25 |
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| Recycling center commissioned in Vöhringen (GER) | 2026/27 |
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| Corporate foundry- and fabricator-recycled content calculation semi-automated and third-party validated | 2024/25 |
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| (Customer-specific) PRC1) calculation rolled-out in line with PCF2) roll-out and third-party verified | 2025/26 |
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| Concept developed for >90% recycled content in copper, supported by supplier agreements | 2029/30 |
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| Concept outlined to enhance recycled content in alloying elements zinc, tin and lead | 2029/30 |
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1) PRC = product recycled content, product-specific recycled content
2) PCF = product carbon footprint, product-specific carbon footprint
What matters to us
Copper can be recycled indefinitely without any loss of quality. This potential forms the foundation for a functioning circular economy and enables a resource-efficient, long-term supply of raw materials. By expanding our own recycling capabilities and competencies in North America and Europe, as well as investing in innovative partnerships, we are continuously increasing our use of secondary raw materials.
Our goal is to increase the recycled content of our products from the current 82.4% (fiscal year 2024/25) to more than 90% by 2030. In doing so, we are effectively mitigating climate change as well as supply chain risks.
To achieve this, we use both materials that were separated from the waste stream during a production process (pre-consumer) and those were recovered from their intended purpose that can no longer be used for their original purpose (post-consumer).
To further promote the recycling of high-quality metals, we offer our customers targeted scrap buy-back models. We are continuously refining these models in close collaboration with our partners.
What we have achieved
Recycling center in Shelbyville,
Kentucky, USA
- Modern recycling and refining center for copper-containing in-house and third-party scrap
- Hub for supplying North American sites with copper ingots made from 100% recycled content
- Carbon footprint up to 75% lower than that of conventionally produced copper cathodes
Recycling center in Vöhringen,
Germany
- Modern recycling and refining center for copper-containing in-house and third-party scrap
- Hub for supplying European and Asian locations with copper billets made from 100% recycled content
- Efficient use of resources with lower energy consumption than that of conventionally produced copper cathodes
Recycling center in Monterrey,
Mexico
- Processing and refining of post-consumer scrap with higher levels of contamination
- Hub for recycling operations in North America and for supplying the Wieland Recycling facility in Granite City, Illinois, USA
