I'm not a turn & burn type.

I believe my life has a purpose, with ups and downs. Successes depends on how it is measured and by who. Achievements just don't happen, meaningful achievement happens by taking measured steps, filled in with education and hard work.

When I do something, I try to the best I can. I then build on that, doing better the next time and this requires commitment. This is where one needs to educate themselves and that isn't always at the "school house".

Lately I have intensified my efforts to learn more about E-waste. I like to know as much as I can about anything I do. What is it I'm selling? Who is buying it? Is it worth it?

I'm sure I'm not the only one with questions (I hope not). I have answered many of my own questions and many of you have helped in that as well (thank you). My desire to learn more about E-waste, always seems to lead to just more questions (true with anything). I want to know the process of how a circuit board is refined. I know there are "hobby" type refiners and that is good, but not really for me. There are small commercial refiners, that are specific type refiners, specializing in a market sector (tantalum is a good example of that). The "big boys" are few in numbers and from what I can learn, not American companies.

Maybe you can help me with a few questions and we will all learn something. Does anybody know of a large American circuit board refiner? Why is it, that two of the largest buyers of circuit boards located in Ohio, same city and only blocks apart? What on the circuit boards do the "big boys" refine (plastic and copper is highest percentage)? What are they not refining (I think the tantalum is burned off)?

Look forward to this discussion and thanks.

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Does anybody know of a large American circuit board refiner?

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http://www.coltrefining.com/a59e277e...c/download.htm This one has a nice slide show. Open with Adobe Reader.

https://safesearch.avira.com/#web/re...boards+refined

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Why is it, that two of the largest buyers of circuit boards located in Ohio, same city and only blocks apart?

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My understanding was that they both started out working for the same scrapyard. They both gained knowledge and started out on their own.

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What on the circuit boards do the "big boys" refine

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Everything using eddy currents and different types of magnets.

I've heard that they worked in the same place, too.

Tangent: For 20 years, there were two places that made most of the farm tractor cabs- Hiniker and Year-A-Round. They were literally across the street from each other. One guy left in a creative dispute, and that was that! It didn't mean anything about the state, it just happened that way. I wouldn't be surprised if this was a similar case.

I'd love to learn what the end buyers really do. It's always fascinated me...

I too have wondered what the big boys are doing. There is a really interesting u-tube channel that I have a facination with. it's mbmmllc. Thiese guys are miners but use their mining equipment in several test runs on better refinig materials for higher profit (dirty brass and copper to #2 and yellow). To processing incenerated IC's and ground boards. Check them out maybe one day someone else from this forum will become a BIG DOG and remember the pups that need some help!!!

The really big boys in circuit board refining are the following:

Xstrata – Located in Quebec, Canada

Boliden – Located in Sweden

Umicore – Located in Belgium


These big boys have minimum quantities that they take measure in tons. I talked to people who deal directly with some of these big boys. I know to sell to Xstrata, you have to have a minimum of 15 tons per shipment. Payments are always based on assays, and you get paid a percentage of the metal content (minus refining chargers, sampling charges, assay charges, etc). They all have websites with some useful info.

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Originally Posted by Mechanic688

http://www.coltrefining.com/a59e277e...c/download.htm This one has a nice slide show. Open with Adobe Reader.

https://safesearch.avira.com/#web/re...boards+refined

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Actually Colt ships at least some of their boards to Xstrata. They may refine some of the very high grade stuff in house, but I believe most boards are refined by Xstrata. The company I work for does some of the assays for Xstrata, and I often see samples that originated from Colt.

Thank you to those that have responded to this thread and hope others will take part in this discussion. I want to stress two points: 1. I hope by asking about circuit board buyers in Ohio, shouldn't in anyway imply there is anything wrong about either of these two companies. As for the one buyer , who is a member of this forum, his reviews by other members is nothingt but outstanding. I have not done business with his company yet, but plan to do so soon. I assumed it had more to with logistics and proximity to a major refiner. 2. I don't think this thread and this forum should be used for the actual chemical refining process of circuit boards. This forum deals with the general concepts of "scrapping" and does a "outstanding" service for it's members in that regard. Chemical refining is a very dangerous process and I for one know this type of discussion should not be done here.

I do want to know more about the facts of E-waste and circuit board recycling and look forward to that discussion with all members of this forum.