
Photo courtesy of Aurubis AG
Aurubis AG, a global producer of copper and other nonferrous metals with an emphasis on recycled content, has commissioned a new automated sample preparation system at its copper production site in Hamburg, Germany.
The company says the newly installed equipment can handle up to 20,000 submitted samples per year and sets new standards in the recycling sector by more than doubling the prior sampling capacity at the Aurubis plant in its headquarters city.
“This state-of-the-art facility is a key component in the overall sampling process and plays a central role in ensuring consistently high-quality and efficient material sampling,” the company says.
The fully automatic equipment can assess samples of electronic scrap slags, catalysts, sludges, concentrates and anode slimes.
“The Hamburg facility offers an unparalleled level of versatility that is currently one-of-a-kind in the global industry,” the company says.
The new automated process cuts the time needed for sample preparation from five days to one day, according to Aurubis.
“With this system, Aurubis is taking a major step forward and further solidifying its position as a trailblazer in complex metallurgy,” Aurubis Chief Operations Officer Tim Kurth says.
In addition to increasing sample preparation efficiency, the system features filter and exhaust systems designed to enhance safety and environmental protection.
“Our suppliers will directly benefit from reduced throughput times and consistently high-quality sample preparation,” says Michael Jordan, plant manager at the Hamburg site. “This new system is another significant milestone in our automation journey and strengthens the long-term competitiveness of our Hamburg site.”
Aurubis says it is continuously advancing its sample preparation technology as part of a broader strategy to automate and modernize sampling processes. The metals producer, which has invested to build an electronic scrap-to-red metals facility in Augusta, Georgia, says additional sites will be equipped with similar systems in the future.
A video providing a look at how the automated sample preparation system works is available on the Aurubis website.
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