TABLE OF CONTENTS Steel dominates in tonnage, relatively cheap per ton, but is still by far the largest in gross value. It is used mainly in the construction, machinery and automobile industry These therefore are the dominant locations to look for recycle materials.
Iron and steel scrap is a valuable feedstock in making new steel products. The huge quantities of iron and steel produced over a long period, dating back to 19 th century, has generated a secondary industry of processing the scrap. Ferrous scrap is sorted and processed into various grades for remelting in steel making furnaces. In the U.S., the use of old scrap as a percentage of total scrap consumed has been steadily rising. It is now estimated to be over 50%.
Three types of scraps from iron and steel industry are called "home", "new" and "old". Technological advances have significantly reduced the generation of home scrap. New or prompt scrap is generated in manufacturers' plants and includes such items as stampings, turnings, and clippings. Old or obsolete scrap is iron or steel from post-consumer products such as automobiles, appliances, buildings, and bridges.
A major requirement in recycling scrap is to maintain the quality of steel products by minimizing contamination with other metals. Potential tramp metal contamination may come from the recycling of automobiles and municipal scrap. Detinned scraps command premium price.
The types of ferrous metals to be recycled can be classified into two main grades: ferrous scrap and ferrous waste and intermediary products.
