The recycling of end-of-life electric motors is not merely about resource utilisation. Recycling one metric tonne of copper saves 85% of the energy required to produce it anew and reduces carbon emissions by several metric tonnes. Furthermore, if processed through specialised recycling methods, it can prevent pollution from harmful substances. This is a process of transforming industrial waste into a green resource. End-of-life electric motors contain large quantities of metals such as copper and iron. Engaging in electric motor recycling projects can also yield a respectable profit.
Scrap motors refer to all types of electric motors and generators that have been taken out of service due to performance degradation, mechanical failure or technological obsolescence. These motors are commonly encountered during the renewal of industrial production lines, the scrapping of electrical appliances, and equipment maintenance and replacement processes. A motor is not merely a collection of metal materials; its internal structure comprises a multi-layered combination of materials.
Standardised recycling of end-of-life motors is primarily reflected in the systematic extraction of the valuable materials they contain. Copper is the main material in windings. Due to its excellent electrical conductivity, it is irreplaceable in the electrical sector. The recovered copper can be used to manufacture new wires, motor windings and other electrical components. It is worth noting that
rotor copper extraction machines can effectively extract copper from motors, achieving a recovery rate of over 98 per cent. Silicon steel sheets, used as core material, can be remelted into new electrical steel after undergoing specialist treatment to remove their insulating coating. This can be used to manufacture electromagnetic equipment such as transformers and motors. Motor casings can be crushed and sorted, with high-quality materials sent to the steel smelting process. This series of material recovery activities transforms waste into a source of raw materials for the manufacturing sector, thereby reducing reliance on the extraction of virgin mineral resources.
