Resource efficiency and recycling
Recycling of metals-related materials is at the core of Umicore’s business. In order to quantify this aspect, the company reports on its “resource-efficiency and recycling capabilities”; each business unit is required to identify the origin of its incoming materials using the following definitions:
- Primary materials: materials that are being used for the first time. These materials are mainly ores and concentrates.
- Secondary materials: by-products of primary material streams
- Recycled materials: materials that have ended their first life cycle and will be re-processed through recycling, thereby entering a 2nd, 3rd … life.
- Incoming materials are regarded as primary by default if their origin is unknown.
The collected data are expressed in terms of total tonnage of incoming material.
In 2007, only 38% of Umicore’s incoming materials were of primary origin compared to 60% in 2006. This difference is explained by the divestment of the zinc alloy activities which have a higher relative intake of primary materials. Twenty-five percent of the incoming materials were recycled materials while 37% consisted of secondary materials (figure 1).
Umicore on the way to sustainability