Reverse Metallurgy, a new mining industry rises from scrap metal

The Walloon Region, or Wallonia, in Belgium, has always been a crucible of metalworking knowledge. However, the local mining industry began its downfall in conjunction with the closure of ArcelorMittal’s furnace in Liège.

The only steel mills left in Wallonia have more sentimental value than industrial worth, yet a potential “Mining Industry 2.0” is lurking behind the old metallic remains of these plants. An incredible new raw material is right there, among a plethora of objects and cast-offs, and it can’t wait to breathe new life into new factories. This entrepreneurial adventure has its roots back in 2014 when Reverse Metallurgy was established. Jacques Pèlerin, Reverse Metallurgy Director and Liège’s ArcelorMittal former CEO, claims that the project focuses on creating a new metalworking industry that revolves around the extraction of raw material from scrap metal. Sustainability and circular economy have always been crucial in this field, so much so that this project has drawn the attention of some big names, such as Comet, Hydrometal o Marichal Ketin. Liège’s University’s metalworking research center is playing a significant role, too. Reverse Metallurgy aims at differentiating waste through robots, plasma arc furnaces, and foundries, as well as hydrometallurgical processing.

The development plans foresee a grand total of €328 million invested in a variety of different projects within the next 10 years, such as a battery recycling facility to store electricity in the factories of the region. This huge campaign should generate a turnover of 272 million euros per year and 1200 job positions.

Source: L’Echo, “De la ferraille à la reconquête industrielle de la Wallonie”, March 13, 2021
Image credits: freeimages.com/John Nyberg.