BSB Recycling GmbH

BSB Recycling GmbH (BSB), Braubach, is one of the traditional secondary lead smelters in Germany, and is also a European market leader in the production of high-grade polypropylene compounds derived from secondary materials.

The smelter, founded in the 17th century, was converted to a secondary lead smelter in 1977, and then completely modernised between 1984 and 1993 although continuous improvements are made to maintain the highest possible operational standards. The Engitec recycling process introduced at this time was acclaimed by both the EU in its BREF documents and the American Environment Protection Agency (EPA) as representing the best available technology. The Polypropylene compounding plant was inaugurated in 1990.

Currently, 96 employees at BSB recycle around 20,000 tonnes of lead products. These include lead acid accumulators from the automotive and industrial sectors, other secondary raw materials like lead scrap and residues containing lead, plus lead alloys. Polypropylene, obtained as a by-product of the pre-treatment process, is refined to Polypropylene compounds - a material much in demand by the international automotive industry for manufacturing external plastic linings for their newer car models. BSB’s product, marketed under the trade name Seculene® PP, is highly regarded in this market.

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