S. Norton adds to Scotland site’s capabilities

S. Norton & Co. Ltd., a United Kingdom-based metals recycling company, says it has made significant investments into its Glasgow, Scotland, site, which it acquired in 2023.

The moves mark “a major step forward in both operational capacity and environmental sustainability for Scotland’s scrap metal recycling industry,” states the company.

“This investment is a demonstration of S. Norton’s commitment to the region and to the future of sustainable recycling,” says Jim Walker, commercial manager for S. Norton at the Glasgow.

“The improvements we’ve made are not only about increasing what we can process, but also about transforming our environmental impact and supporting Scotland’s role in the global circular economy,” he adds.

The company says it has invested in both the infrastructure of and equipment deployed at the site to make it suitable for “large-scale, efficient and sustainable operations.”

It lists as foremost among its investments the “extensive berth dredging undertaken at the dock to facilitate substantially larger vessels than previously possible.”

“This dredging operation has enabled the site to turn from servicing only the short sea market to welcoming deep sea vessels capable of reaching destinations anywhere in the world,” says Stevie Lambie, site manager in Glasgow.

“The ability to load deep sea vessels is a game changer for the facility and the regional economy, substantially expanding the scope and reach of our operations,” adds Lambie.

In addition to the dredging project, S. Norton says it has purchased a $2.7 million Sennebogen material handler, which it calls one of the largest of its type in Scotland.

The Sennebogen model can handle 6 to 7 metric tons in a single grab, says the recycling firm, “ensuring that loading operations are safe, swift and efficient.”

Investment in the Glasgow site also involves boosting its annual capacity, according to S. Norton. Historically, the site has exported approximately 150,000 metric tons of recycled metal per year from Glasgow, with the aim now to increase that capacity. 

Currently, all materials arrive at the yard by road, where they are processed on site through shredding, shearing, torch cutting and baling, says the recycling company.

“This streamlined process ensures that only furnace-ready, specification-grade metal products are shipped out, delivering consistent quality to steelmakers around the globe and strengthening the U.K.’s position in the international recycling supply chain,” states S. Norton.

Regarding sustainability, S. Norton says its new operational model in Glasgow, enabled by berth dredging and the equipment upgrades, allows metal to be loaded directly onto deep-sea vessels, bypassing a need for trucking the site used to rely on heavily.

By shipping deep sea quantities of processed metal in a single bulk shipment, S. Norton says it is drastically reducing its carbon footprint compared to its more truck-dependent logistics.

“Transporting the same volume by road would require thousands of truckloads, underscoring the environmental advantages of direct maritime shipping,” says S. Norton.

The company also says the onsite sorting, separation and processing that takes place before loading, means S. Norton can offer what it calls a complete one-stop solution for customers, reducing handling, improving traceability and minimizing environmental impact, according to the firm.

“The shift from short sea to deep sea shipping is a leap forward for our sustainability credentials,” says Walker. “Not only is it more economical and efficient, but it’s also a much better outcome for the planet. Our investment means less traffic on the roads, lower emissions and a truly circular recycling process where material goes directly from yard to furnace anywhere in the world.”

In Glasgow, S. Norton processes a wide variety of ferrous and nonferrous metals, including heavy structural steel scrap from demolition projects, other forms of iron and steel, plus copper, brass, aluminum and lead.

The facility accepts metals from retail (individual) customers, construction contractors and demolition contractors, says the firm.

The Glasgow site employs approximately 40 employees, with S. Norton stating it is committed to ongoing staff training and development.

Regarding the investments made at the more than-30-year old site, Walker remarks, “The infrastructure we’ve put in place gives us options, economies of scale and a real edge in the market. Not every recycler can offer processing and deep sea shipping from a single site. Our investment puts us ahead of the curve and opens a new world of possibilities.”