Tetronics sells plasma arc technology to DR2

Tetronics International, Wiltshire, U.K., has signed a deal to provide its plasma arc technology to Duncan Recycling & Refining (DR2), Duncan, Oklahoma, which will allow DR2 to recover precious metals from automobile catalytic converters.

Tetronics says its plasma arc system is recognized globally as a sustainable solution for recovering resources from materials including spent catalysts, electronics and mining ores.

David Nichols, DR2 president, says he decided to install Tetronics’ plasma arc technology after seeing the system in action during a trip to Europe two years ago. The plasma arc technology, DR2 says, will be central to its new business, which will use it to extract and refine platinum group metals (PGM) and ceramics found in catalytic converters.

The plant will be able to process 6 metric tons of catalytic converters per day. Following the process, the waste that is not deemed valuable will be converted into an inert material called Plasmarok, which can be used as a building aggregate.

Graeme Rumbol, CEO of Tetronics International, says, “We are delighted to have signed this agreement, and we are very much looking forward to seeing the plant become operational.”

Rumbol continues, “Duncan Recycling & Refining was established partly due to seeing our technology— demonstrating that Tetronics is a world leader in precious metal recovery.

“This deal shows Tetronics is regarded across the world as the market leader in the recovery of precious metals, and we’re looking forward to continuing our strong growth path over the coming months.”

David Nichols, president of DR2, says, “We are very excited about using Tetronics’ technology; it is absolutely essential to our business. We are already looking at other ways we can work with them, so we have the capacity to refine even more metals.