Every minute, more than one million aluminum cans are sold worldwide—but not all of them make it back into the recycling loop. That’s where a full scrap aluminum can recycling plant steps in.

This isn’t just about waste management anymore. It’s about profit, sustainability, energy savings, and future-proof business models. Whether you’re an investor, recycler, or manufacturer looking to close the loop, a full aluminum can recycling plant offers a powerful way to turn discarded cans into high-value aluminum with impressive margins.

What Is a Full Scrap Aluminum Can Recycling Plant?

A full scrap aluminum can recycling plant is a complete, end-to-end system designed to process used aluminum beverage cans (UBCs) from mixed scrap into clean, reusable aluminum material—usually in the form of briquettes, ingots, or shredded aluminum ready for remelting.

Unlike partial setups, a full plant covers every step:

• Collection & feeding
• Crushing and shredding
• De-coating & drying
• Separation & purification

The goal? Maximum recovery, minimum loss, and consistent output quality.

full scrap aluminum can recycling plant

How Does a Full Aluminum Can Recycling Plant Work?
1. Feeding & Pre-Sorting

Collected aluminum cans are loaded into the system via conveyors or hoppers. Magnetic separators remove steel contaminants, while manual or automated sorting improves purity early on.

Why it matters: Cleaner input = higher aluminum recovery rates.

2. Crushing & Shredding

Cans are crushed or shredded to reduce volume by up to 90%, making downstream processing more efficient.

Key benefit: Lower transportation and energy costs.

3. De-Coating & Drying

Aluminum cans are coated with paint, ink, and organic residues. A de-coating system heats the shredded cans (typically 400–550°C) to burn off coatings without melting the aluminum.

Stat to know: De-coating can improve melting yield by 3–5%, which is huge at industrial scale.

4. Advanced Separation System

Using air classifiers, eddy current separators, and screening units, the plant removes:

• Plastic residues
• Paper labels
• Fine dust and impurities

Result: Aluminum purity levels above 99%.

5. Briquetting or Melting

Clean aluminum scrap is either:

Compressed into briquettes for sale or transport, or

Melted into ingots for direct reuse in aluminum production

Both options significantly increase scrap value.

Why Invest in a Full Scrap Aluminum Can Recycling Plant?
Massive Energy Savings

Recycling aluminum saves up to 95% of the energy required to produce aluminum from bauxite ore.

High Market Demand

Aluminum is infinitely recyclable, and demand from:

• Beverage companies
• Automotive manufacturers
• Construction industry
  continues to rise.
• Strong ROI

A well-designed full recycling plant can achieve payback in 1–3 years, depending on capacity and local scrap prices.

Environmental Compliance

Governments worldwide are tightening recycling and carbon regulations. Owning a full plant helps businesses stay compliant and competitive.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How much capacity can a full aluminum can recycling plant handle?

Most plants range from 300 kg/h to over 5 tons/h, depending on automation and configuration.

Is aluminum can recycling really profitable?

Yes. Clean aluminum scrap can be worth 30–50% more than mixed scrap, especially after de-coating and densification.

What is the aluminum recovery rate?

High-quality plants achieve 98% aluminum recovery, depending on input quality.

Is the system environmentally friendly?

Absolutely. Modern plants include dust collection, exhaust treatment, and heat recovery systems to meet strict environmental standards.

A full scrap aluminum can recycling plant is more than a recycling solution—it’s a strategic business asset. It turns waste into value, reduces environmental impact, and delivers strong long-term returns.

As aluminum demand continues to soar and sustainability becomes non-negotiable, companies that invest early in complete recycling systems will lead the market—not chase it.