Kuusakoski invests 25 M€ to meet increasing demand in pure recycled metal products

Recycling pioneer Kuusakoski invests 25 M€ in a major new production line that is being built at the company’s recycling plant in Heinola, Finland, to meet higher demand. 

Demand for recycled raw materials is growing. During this decade, for example, the production of recycled aluminium will, for the first time, exceed that of primary aluminium. The use of recycled aluminium saves 95% of energy compared to the energy used to produce virgin aluminium.

Kuusakoski is the only producer of recycled aluminium in Finland. In 2022, Kuusakoski supplied its customers with the equivalent of all the aluminium needed for 2,000 new passenger aircraft.

The company is now investing in a major new production line (announced on 02 February). The aim is to increase the recycling efficiency and the processing capacity for non-ferrous metals, including aluminium. The investment is worth €25 million.

“We have been engaged in a determined and extensive development effort focused on metal separation and waste fractions for several years. Now we have finally reached the implementation phase”, said Mikko Kuusilehto, President and CEO.

Green transition a driver for change

Kuusakoski’s processing capability already enables highly efficient recovery of metals from waste streams back into raw materials. With the new investment, the company will be able to process more material with even higher recovery rates. The company anticipates an increase in demand for all recycled metals.

“Nordic companies are investing heavily in the green transition, and today all discussions with our customers relate in one way or another to opportunities to build a more sustainable value chain using recycled raw materials”, said Mikko Kuusilehto.

“When this project is completed, our total non-ferrous metal processing capacity will increase by 50%. The investment will enable us to provide larger volumes of high-purity recycled raw materials to the manufacturing industry.”

Part of the green investment program

The overall investment in non-ferrous metals processing is scheduled for completion in 2025.

This investment is part of Kuusakoski´s multi-year green investment program. Read more about the investment program at: https://news.cision.com/kuusakoski-recycling/r/green-investment-program-planned-at-kuusakoski,c3640600 

Did you know?

• Kuusakoski’s recycling factory in Heinola is the largest integrated recycling plant in Northern Europe, and it operates on 25 hectares area.
• Non-ferrous recycled raw materials include copper, zinc, lead and aluminium, as well as brass, bronze and stainless steel.
• Our non-ferrous metals come, for example, from recycled vehicles, electrical and electronic equipment, and household metal waste streams.

More information

Chief Sustainability Officer Tuomas Haikka tel. +358 40 7494 218, tuomas.haikka@kuusakoski.com. Explore the Heinola plant virtually: https://www.thinglink.com/scene/1648771407171026946

Kuusakoski is Northern Europe’s leading recycling services company. The company’s vision is to be the preferred partner for its customers through excellence in recycling and sustainability. Kuusakoski´s strength is based on competence with materials, recycling, and environmental technology. In addition to metal recycling, the company recycles electrical and electronic equipment and manufactures high-quality solid recovered fuel of energy-containing waste that is unsuitable for recycling. Kuusakoski Group’s turnover in 2021 was EUR 717,6 million, and it employed some 1 800 people. The company was established in 1914. Read more at kuusakoski.com

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