Apr. 7, 2022 - RHI Magnesita, the world market leader for refractory products and solutions, inaugurated the new recycling center in St.Barbara im Mürztal/Mitterdorf on Thursday, April 7, 2022. This means that around 25,000 tons of used refractory materials will be processed for reuse in Styria by 2025. This not only saves large amounts of raw materials, but also means 45,000 tons less CO2 emissions per year. “ Our new recycling center benefits the environment and the region in many ways: we recover our raw materials and save as much CO2 as about 3.6 million fully grown trees would have to compensate", says Thomas Ikert, Plant Manager RHI Magnesita Veitsch, who is responsible for the recycling center in Mitterdorf.
Vice Chancellor Werner Kogler , Constantin Beelitz (President Europe CIS & Turkey, RHI Magnesita) , District Governor Bernhard Preiner and Mayor Jochen Jance , among others , got an idea of this on site. The highlight of the opening was the smashing of the first used refractory bricks by Vice Chancellor Werner Kogler, which were then brought into the circular economy in the new recycling center.
Investment as a commitment to the region
RHI Magnesita has had a strong presence in the region for decades with the traditional plant in der Veitsch, the external warehouse and the rail and container loading station in Wartberg, the plant in Breitenau and the research center in Leoben. Investments are now being made again with the new recycling center in Mitterdorf. RHI Magnesita is investing around 7 million euros for the recycling center in order to offer a sustainable solution for used refractory products. " Customers from the steel, cement and glass industry, process industry and RHI Magnesita plants in the area now have the opportunity to have their used refractory bricks recycled in an environmentally friendly way instead of disposing of them, " says Constantin Beelitz (President Europe CIS & Turkey, RHI Magnesita ).
The new recycling center in Mitterdorf makes it possible to bring used refractory products into a circular economy. The stones are cleaned, sorted, prepared, recycled and then reused. This means less raw material consumption, since less raw material has to be mined: " Manufacturers of refractory products like RHI Magnesita can achieve a CO2 saving of 1.8 tons for the use of every ton of recycled material, " Beelitz continues.
Mitterdorf part of the leading circular economy in Europe
The recycling center in Mitterdorf has recently also become part of the leading recycling platform in Europe. Because: At the end of March, RHI Magnesita merged with the German Horn & Co. Group to form the new Horn & Co. RHIM Minerals Recovery GmbH, making it one of the leading European players in the circular economy. RHI Magnesita contributed the new recycling center in Mitterdorf, the Horn & Co. Group their recycling center in Siegen/Germany. Together, the two sister recycling centers are European leaders and strategically located to serve customers across the continent.
Speaking of which: With the two recycling centers, RHI Magnesita can more quickly implement the ambitious goal – namely to increase the recycling rate in its products worldwide from less than three percent in 2020 to over ten percent by 2025. This is an important step towards a global reduction in CO2 emissions of 15 percent by 2025 - a win-win situation for everyone.
" Especially in these challenging times, it is important to provide future impetus for more climate protection and the circular economy. Industry in particular is affected and challenged at the same time. At the same time, projects such as the new RHI Magnesita recycling center make me optimistic that we can overcome the current crisis with a spirit of innovation and ambition and that we will produce in a more resource-saving and climate-friendly manner. As a Styrian, I am also pleased that local innovation projects are being implemented here and that the region is being strengthened, " said Vice Chancellor Werner Kogler.
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