TRIMET strengthens recycling loops to secure raw material supply
12.06.2026TRIMET is continuously expanding its aluminum recycling operations. Through closed material loops, an expanded alloy portfolio, and investment in new business areas, the materials specialist is advancing the long-term security of secondary raw material supply.
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"Industry depends on sustainably produced materials to meet its climate targets," says Dr. Andreas Lützerath, Member of the Board of TRIMET Aluminium SE. "We are systematically aligning our strategy with growing demand for recycled aluminum and investing in capable structures that ensure a reliable, high-quality supply over the long term – even in a challenging market environment."
Expanding capacity for closed-loop operations
TRIMET has significantly expanded the capacity of its recycling facility in Gelsenkirchen while fundamentally modernizing its energy supply. New melting units increase production capacity to up to 80 000 metric tons of recycled aluminum per year. Solar panels on the hall rooftops supply the site with renewable electricity. Starting in August 2026, the melting furnaces will operate using hydrogen-rich process gas, which generates significantly lower CO₂ emissions compared to natural gas.
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TRIMET has also laid the groundwork for further growth at its recycling site in Essen. Expanded storage areas enable alloy-specific separation and storage of aluminum scrap, increasing capacity by approximately 16 000 metric tons. The infrastructure upgrades improve material quality, enhance process efficiency, and form the basis for a growing share of recycled content in production.
Alongside the site expansions, TRIMET is systematically developing its portfolio of recycling alloys. With trimal®-04, TRIMET already offers a high-pressure die casting alloy with a high recycled content that has successfully established itself as an alternative to the primary alloy trimal®-05. The company is currently preparing a recycled variant of trimal®-38 – an alloy used in battery housings, structural components, and other crash-relevant automotive applications that can be processed without heat treatment. Through targeted adjustments to the alloy composition, TRIMET is able to significantly increase the proportion of secondary aluminum without compromising mechanical properties.
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Integrating alloy-specific sorting into operations
Materials development is closely linked to the expansion of closed material loops. Together with its customers, TRIMET has established tailored return systems that ensure grade-specific collection and recycling of aluminum scrap. In the aluminum wire segment in particular, this requires a high level of metallurgical expertise, as strict standards apply to purity and process control. Through the close integration of recycling sites in Germany and France, TRIMET maintains stable networks that ensure consistently high material quality.
To further strengthen these loops, TRIMET is investing in new infrastructure and expanding its recycling business. In Hamm, the family-owned company is establishing a facility for the sorting, processing, and logistics of aluminum scrap. The plant is scheduled to come online at the end of 2026 and will deploy state-of-the-art sorting technology. Laser-based analysis methods enable rapid determination of the metallurgical fingerprint of scrap materials, allowing precise separation for subsequent alloy production. A high-performance baling press complements the setup, ensuring efficient further processing and logistics.
By building out these capabilities, TRIMET is integrating key links in the recycling value chain in-house. This strengthens supply security, reduces dependence on primary raw materials, and improves the carbon footprint of the materials used.
