Salzgitter acquires scrap processor

The Deutsche Erz- und Metall-Union GmbH (DEUMU) subsidiary of Germany-based electric arc furnace (EAAF) steel producer Salzgitter AG has acquired scrap recycling firm Must-Metalle-Container-Recycling GmbH. Must-Metalle is based in Goslar, Germany, and specializes in trading in scrap materials and metals.

Salzgitter says its DEUMU subsidiary “is directly implementing the Strategy ‘Salzgitter AG 2030’ that is consistently geared to circularity.”

Salzgitter says its low-CO₂ emissions steelmaking program is “pioneering the transition to virtually CO₂-free steel production,.” As part of that, Salzgitter intends to expand its scrap recycling activities.

“This acquisition represents a further development in ‘circularity’ in the immediate vicinity of the steelmaking location of Salzgitter, and will facilitate the use of high-quality secondary raw materials in the production of steel," Salzgitter says.

Must Metalle was founded in 1909 and operates “a container supply and scrapping business, dealing predominantly with companies in the metals processing sector" and has a downstream sorting and processing operation that enables it to supply “quality grades of scrap," Salzgitter says.

The acquisition will “facilitate the progression of this successful small-to-medium enterprise to the next stage of growth,” Salzgitter says, adding that Must-Metalle will continue to operate as an independent undertaking within the Salzgitter Group and will trade under the new name “Harzer Schrott und Recycling GmbH.”

In addition to building a scrap network, in 2020 Salzgitter announced its intention to conduct a feasibility study for the construction of a direct-reduced iron (DRI) plant in the port city of Wilhelmshaven, Germany.