Precious metal recovery and recycling as an ecological necessity
Precious metal extraction and recycling as an ecological necessity — definition: The extraction and recycling of precious metals (gold, silver, platinum, palladium, rhodium) requires advanced powder handling and separation technology in line with REACH (SVHC), ATEX zone 1/21 and GMP-like process control. HECHT offers closed-loop transfer systems (LBK-EC, SBK endless liner, ProClean Conveyor) for the safe processing of catalyst powders, precipitates and precious metal slurries with OEB 3–5 containment and SMEPAC validation.
Key points — precious metal extraction and recycling
- Ecological necessity: primary gold mining generates 20 tonnes of waste per gram of gold — recycling e-waste and catalysts saves 95–99% of energy and CO₂ compared with primary extraction (LCA ISO 14040)
- ATEX risk: precious metal powders (Au, Ag, Pt) <100 µm are combustible (St1) — HECHT LBK-EC and LAS-EC are certified for ATEX zone 21 (IEC 60079-32 ESD earthing)
- HECHT products: LBK-EC big bag discharge station (OEB 3–4, SMEPAC), ProClean Conveyor PCC (CIP/SIP, EHEDG), SBK endless liner (single-use closed transfer) — minimal product loss (<0.01%)
- Minimising product loss: with precious metal powders (€30,000–€60,000/kg Pt/Pd), every loss has a direct cost impact — HECHT closed systems reduce losses by 95–99% compared with open handling
- CSRD / EU taxonomy: precious metal recycling counts as a circular economy activity under EU Taxonomy Regulation 2020/852 — reportable under ESRS E5 (resource use and circular economy)
Precious metal recycling combines ecological necessity with economic opportunity. HECHT systems minimise product and material losses. See solutions at the Test & Trial Centre in Pörnbach, explore our containment portfolio for special materials and discover applications in chemicals and recycling.
The extraction and recycling of precious metals have become increasingly important in modern industry, not only because of their economic value but also with a view to ecological sustainability.
Given limited natural resources and rising demand for precious metals such as gold, silver and platinum, developing efficient and environmentally friendly processes for recovering precious metals is becoming ever more urgent.
FAQ — ecological precious metal extraction and recycling
Which HECHT equipment is suitable for processing precious metal powders?
Precious metal powders (Au, Ag, Pt, Pd <100 µm) place high demands: minimal product loss, closed transfer (ATEX zone 21) and thorough cleaning (CIP) for product changeovers. HECHT LBK-EC with SBK endless liner offers <0.01% product loss for OEB 3–4 transfer. The ProClean Conveyor (PCC) with CIP/SIP cleans to <10 ppm residue (TOC measurement). For Pt/Pd worth >€30,000/kg, 99.9% recovery means a direct saving of €30+/kg per batch.
How does HECHT contribute to the ecological sustainability of precious metal recycling?
HECHT single-use SBK endless liners are available in bio-based PE (ISCC PLUS) — a 70–80% lower CO₂ footprint than conventional PE liners (LCA ISO 14040/44). Closed HECHT systems eliminate dust emissions (ATEX, REACH SVHC), reduce cleaning water by 40–60% (CIP optimisation) and lower energy use with IE4 motors. This can be documented under CSRD ESRS E1/E5 for annual sustainability reporting.
What safety measures apply when processing catalyst powders containing precious metals?
Catalyst powders (Pt/Pd on Al₂O₃ or carbon carriers) are toxic (CMR category 1B, OEB 3–4) and combustible (St1 ATEX). Mandatory measures: ATEX zone 21 equipment (HECHT LBK-EC, IEC 60079-32), SMEPAC validation at all transfer points, personal biomonitoring (Pt urine test ISO 17294-2), HEPA H14 filtration and a COSHH/REACH risk assessment. HECHT supplies the validation package (IQ/OQ, SMEPAC report).
Low-dust technologies for maximum safety
HECHT Technologie successfully carried out an engineering project for the recovery of precious metals for a leading company. Reliable systems and well-designed solutions are crucial for emptying, mixing and filling precious metal compounds or ores in the relevant process steps, making the recovery process more efficient. In this project, HECHT was once again able to contribute its expertise and innovative solutions. The challenges of the boundary conditions were overcome and the specifications of the precious metals industry were implemented to the customer's full satisfaction.
Planning and subsequent execution took into account the components specified by the customer. A key focus of the project was low-dust production to ensure employee safety. For this, HECHT designed the complete steel structure with a low-dust enclosure and the complete extraction system with associated pipework. The latter features a more powerful filter system to prevent deposits in the pipework.
This project also shows that HECHT Technologie can develop tailor-made solutions. Precious metals are often recovered from ores, electronic waste or waste products. These materials have to be prepared for further processing.
Mixing systems are usually used to mix the raw materials with certain chemicals or solvents so that they are ready for extraction or dissolution. Here, however, they mix the precious metal dust to obtain an even particle size distribution. The mills and mixers specified on site therefore play an important role in grinding and processing the precious metal dust to prepare it for the further processing steps.
This makes the plant's feeding and processing systems all the more important for a reliable and smooth operation. In this case, three separate mills and three separate mixers on each of two lines had to be accessible via a movable drum lifting and tipping system.
Innovatieve containmentoplossingen van HECHT
HECHT Technologie also plays a crucial role in this process step: the bulk solids specialist from Pfaffenhofen has developed innovative containment solutions that allow precious metals to be emptied from and filled into drums safely and efficiently, without risking potential hazards to the environment or personnel. Part of this complete solution are specialised docking stations with integrated weighing systems for emptying and filling drums under containment conditions.
The HECHT CFE-K (containment drum emptying with tipping unit) was developed specifically for low-dust and contamination-free emptying of drums. It stands out for its ability to guarantee maximum product safety and occupational safety. A key feature of the CFE-K is the integrated containment system, which effectively prevents dust and particles from escaping during emptying. This is achieved through a combination of special seals, negative-pressure systems and highly effective filters, which keep the working environment clean and safe.
Another advantage of the CFE-K is its flexibility and efficiency in handling different drum sizes and types. Thanks to its modular design, the system can be adapted to specific requirements, making it a versatile solution for different applications.
The integrated weighing systems allow accurate dosing and control of the emptied material, which is particularly important in precious metal recovery to minimise losses and maximise yield.
The CFE-K is also equipped with an automated drum handling system that reduces manual contact with the material and so minimises the risk of operator contamination.
In addition, this HECHT system is designed to be easy to clean and maintain, which lowers operating costs and increases uptime.
The conclusion of this successfully completed project is that the extraction and recovery of precious metals are indispensable for a sustainable, resource-efficient industry. HECHT Technologie has established itself as a pioneer in developing drum emptying systems under containment conditions that enable safe, efficient and environmentally friendly processing of precious metals.
The combination of technological progress and ecological awareness paves the way for a future in which precious metals are extracted and recycled responsibly, without compromising safety or quality.