Fastmarkets spoke with Metycle CEO Rafael Suchan about the planned October opening of our first SmartSorting Hub in Maasmechelen, Belgium, and our plans to expand the supply of alloy-specific secondary metals.
The article highlights a practical challenge for industrial buyers: securing secondary metals with the precise alloy composition their processes require. As Rafael explains, the opportunity is to turn mixed scrap into more consistent, smelter-ready material that manufacturers can plan around.
Alloy-specific sorting at industrial scale
Our SmartSorting Hub is scheduled to begin commercial operations in early October 2026 at an initial annual processing rate of 20,000 tonnes. The facility is designed to process up to 60,000 tonnes of aluminium scrap per year when operating across three shifts.
Combining X-ray technology, laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy, optical sensors and AI, the hub is designed to separate mixed scrap into specific metal and alloy fractions for direct supply to industrial customers, including aluminium and copper smelters.
Financing larger secondary metal trades
The article also covers our $150 million credit facility from Rivonia Road Capital. Dedicated exclusively to trading operations, the facility will support transactions from supplier payment through to customer settlement, enabling Metycle to move larger volumes and expand its supply of processed secondary metals.
Rafael also discusses the role of international trade in balancing supply and demand, keeping recycling capacity utilised and connecting secondary metals with the industrial customers that need them.
Original Article
“Metycle to open Belgian aluminium, copper scrap facility in October”
Reporting by Gabriela Farhangi. Published by Fastmarkets on 24 September 2026.
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