BSB Recycling GmbH

SECONDARY LEAD SMELTER
WITH POLYPROPYLENE COMPOUNDING PLANT

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

The smelter, founded in the 17th century, was converted to a secondary lead smelter in 1977, and then completely modernized 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, 85 employees at BSB recycle around 80,000 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 and lead-tin 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.

BSB Recycling GmbH
Emser Straße 11, 56338 Braubach, Germany
Phone +49 2627 981-0, Fax +49 2627 981-171
bsb@berzelius.de

• Company Website

Facts and figures

• approx. 85 employees
• Production facilities:
  Secondary lead smelter with polypropylene compounding plant
• Annual production (approx.):
  40 tonnes lead (bullion, bars, slabs for rolling)
  1,000 tonnes tin alloys
  40,000 tonnes Seculene® PP

ECOBAT Lead smelting facilities in the European Union