Paprec acquires metal recycling assets

Paprec Group, a Paris-based company with its roots in paper recycling, has acquired two metals recycling firms in France and Switzerland, bringing to 10 the number of metals recycling acquisitions it made this decade.

In transactions Paprec Group anticipates will be complete in early 2026, Paprec France will acquire Rosenau, France-based Alsarec, which focuses on wire and cable processing, and Paprec Swiss Group will take over the operations of Muttenz, Switzerland-based metal trading and recycling company Multimetall.

“This acquisition will enable us to move further up the metal recycling value chain,” David Dias of Paprec says regarding Alsarec, which was founded in 1992 and more than 11,000 tons of metal annually. “It will strengthen our position as a reliable partner for industrial companies looking for competent service providers.”

Paprec says the acquisition will contribute to its growing metals division in France, which now consists of some 30 locations recycling 1 million tons per year and generating about $585 million in sales annually.

“Our development follows a clear strategy: we invest in high-performance facilities, continuously expand our regional presence and offer our customers—industrial companies, municipalities and craft businesses—high-quality, tailor-made services,” Dias says.

Paprec Swiss Group (PSG) says the Multimetall acquisition will help it expand its range of services, adding Multimetall processes 11,000 tons of metal-containing secondary raw materials annually.

“Multimetall’s expertise in metal trading and recycling will strengthen our national presence and service portfolio,” says Christophe Gence, CEO of PSG.

“Metal recycling is of great importance both economically and ecologically,” adds Mathieu Petithuguenin, CEO and board chair of Paprec Group. “It reduces CO₂ emissions and decreases the need for primary raw material extraction.

“With [this] acquisition of two companies specializing in metal recycling, we are taking a significant step toward the ecological transformation and decarbonization of the economy. At the same time, new market opportunities are opening up in France, Switzerland and Germany.”