From manual sorting to high-tech copper: the daily challenge of recovery
In the industrial heart of Lombardy, in Comun Nuovo (Bergamo), stands a family business that has made material recovery a true mission. Speaking to us about his experience is Roberto Sala, owner of Centro Recupero Ecologico, a company that has been active for more than 15 years in the waste treatment sector, but with much deeper roots.
“From the beginning we have focused on recovering yard and business waste, aiming to sort the most and take the least to incinerators,” Sala says. “With an in-house designed sorting line, we recover wood, paper, plastic and other valuable materials.”
The evolution toward metals and the circular economy
In recent years the company has expanded its scope by focusing on metal processing, particularly copper and brass. “We started with a small copper cable mill and then, given the growing demand, we invested in more and more high-performance plants,” Sala explains.
The increase in productivity was also possible thanks to established partners such as Cesaro Mac Import. “I have known Cesaro since my father worked with my uncles-we have always appreciated the quality of their machines. We have started with a Doppstadt 3060 Buffalo shredder that is still operational today and an SM518 screen, and then we integrated Sennebogen 817 loaders and, recently, a brand new MTB pre-shredder for processing copper wire.”
Performance, reliability and training
The new pre-screener has proven to be a winning investment: sturdy structure, one-piece machined rotor, and high performance. “Compared to the previous machine, which had slower rotation that produced continuous inversions, the MTB works fast and unimpeded, with 15 mm grids. We reach production peaks of 4-5 tons per hour, while our plant currently handles 2 tons per hour-so we would like to further reduce the size, so as to optimize the line and make the most of the BDR 1645’s potential.” The choice of such a high-performance machine comes from our belief that the metal recovery sector is constantly expanding, and therefore such a machine fits perfectly into future development goals.
A strong point? Simplified maintenance. “Knives are rotated with this production every 3-4 weeks and all four edges can be used, reducing replacement costs. The initial training, which lasted two days with MTB-directed technicians, was critical in learning how to manage the machine’s grids, feeler gauges and software.”
Rounding out the picture is the technical and commercial support of Cesaro Mac Import, which proves to be not only a supplier but a true operating partner. “With Cesaro we have never had any problems: they are present, available and quick to respond. If you need a part, if there is a doubt or an adjustment to be made, you always find someone ready to step in. Even for MTB we have relied on their advice and they have never let us down.”
Electricity transition and future challenges
Today the Center works 10 hours a day without interruption, thanks to a team of 13 people, including Roberto’s father, still in the field at 68. However, the transition to electric is slowed by the low range of battery chargers. “We work long shifts, from 5 a.m. to 6 p.m., and today the batteries would not hold up. But we are confident that there will be suitable solutions soon.”
Robotics and artificial intelligence: the tomorrow of selection
Sala’s gaze is turned to the future, where the real challenge will be manpower. “Today it is increasingly difficult to find people willing to work in waste sorting. The goal is to automate, thanks to robots and artificial intelligence. We need facilities that can handle heavy work, especially for complex materials such as iron-shielded undersea cables, which are difficult to process manually.”
Despite the difficulties, the enthusiasm is palpable: “I like knowing that from a truckload of waste I can recover 50-60%. It’s a satisfying job and I would never leave it, even if someone came along and offered me a fortune.”
