Czech steel sheet processor Beneva has developed a system to reprocess prompt/industrial scrap arising from automotive blanking into steel sheet for use by automotive companies, without the need for remelting. The “SATURNIN” system enables steel reuse, thereby reducing carbon footprint and cost, Beneva tells Kallanish.
The system collects scrap data about arising post-industrial steel scrap and material needs across steel processing companies. It then searches for the best matches according to geometry, steel grades, volumes, location and other information. The system ensures the purchase, collection, inspection and reprocessing of steel scrap into low carbon footprint input material and its shipment to the end customer, Beneva notes.
Beneva cooperates with regional steel service centres, as well as OEMs, such as Škoda Auto. “The system has great scaling potential, so the production site is still expanding and other SATURNIN hubs are going to be launched soon,” the firm observes.
The scrap is collected from the blanking/stamping line and placed in a separate box, before being transported to the firm’s warehouse for tensile and OES tests in an accredited material lab. The pieces are then placed in regular stacks on pallets, with any flaws eliminated on an autonomous robotics line.
The pieces are then processed on the autonomous robotic blanking line and transformed into regular shapes, such as rectangular or trapezoid, required by the customer – stampers or OEMs. Those blanks are stacked on a pallet, wrapped up and delivered to the customer. The material is identical to the automotive sheet delivered by a service centre or mill, Beneva claims.
The firm estimates around 400kg of scrap sheet metal are produced per car manufactured, meaning tens of millions of scrap globally per year. The firm’s technology currently focuses on scrap generated from the blanking process, where the material is not influenced by stamping, meaning it can save around 2-3% of the total scrap.
It is working on developing new technologies to be able to process the portion of scrap that arises after stamping operation – stamping influenced scrap. This could result in 5-10% of total scrap being reused.
Benva will be present at EuroBLECH 2024 in Hannover from 22 -25 October – Stand 17-E156, Hall 17.
Adam Smith Poland