Aurubis

In Beerse, Aurubis is building a hi-tech facility for processing anode sludge – which is produced during electrolytic copper refining – from its plant in Beerse, among other places. Aurubis’ proprietary technology, called Advance Sludge Processing by Aurubis (ASPA), allows it to extract precious metals, tin and lead from this intermediate product.

The Olen site will also have a state-of-the-art and energy-efficient recycling plant. Thanks to investment project BOB (Bleed Olen Beerse), the company will be able to extract copper and nickel from the bleed – formerly a waste product in the extraction of metals – originating from its plants in Olen and Beerse, closing the circular loop in the process.

From these optimally recycled metals, Aurubis aims to create new value, all while using the metals responsibly and contributing to Europe’s circular economy. Given the rapid evolutions in digitization and e-mobility, for which these metals are indispensable, Aurubis’ growth strategy has a major ecological and social impact. It also reinforces Flanders’ role as a “metal valley”.