European Metal Recycling

What European Metal Recycling does

European Metal Recycling (EMR) is a privately held, family-owned global metal recycling company headquartered in Warrington, UK, operating across the UK, USA, Netherlands, Germany, and Italy. Founded as EMR Group Limited in 2005 and tracing operating history to 1994, EMR processes approximately 10 million tonnes of material annually through a network of physical yard locations, processing facilities, and Authorised Treatment Facilities, employing over 3,500 people.

The company's core platform is industrial-scale metal recycling — ferrous and non-ferrous scrap collection, shredding, separation, and material recovery — sold back into manufacturing supply chains. This is extended via specialist divisions: end-of-life vehicle (ELV) recycling (recycling 95%+ of each vehicle), WEEE and large domestic appliance recycling, cable recovery, plastics (MBA Polymers), advanced shredder residue separation (EMR Invenens), marine and rail decommissioning, renewables (wind turbine components), and a growing EV battery recycling capability anchored by a Birmingham facility opened in September 2024 and the RECOVAS consortium with Bentley, BMW, and Jaguar Land Rover.

EMR makes money through transactional buying and selling of recycled metals at quote-based pricing dependent on metal type, quantity, quality, and prevailing commodity markets. Revenue is supplemented by specialist service fees, environmental compliance services, used-parts e-commerce via US subsidiary MyAutoStore, and emerging battery recycling activities. GTM is sales-led via direct relationships with industrial customers, OEM partnerships, and yard-based public access. The firm reinvests 99% of profits into the business, has committed £350M+ to recycling technology since 2008, and targets net-zero operations by 2040 under a Climate Group-aligned strategy.

Name

European Metal Recycling

Legal name

EMR Group Limited

Website

https://emrgroup.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2005

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1,001–5,000 employees

Short description

European Metal Recycling is a privately held, family-owned global metal recycler processing approximately 10 million tonnes of material annually across the UK, US, Netherlands, Germany, and Italy, serving industrial manufacturers, automotive OEMs, and public scrap sellers through yard networks and specialist recycling divisions.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Metal Recycling Services

akta.pro primary industry

Scrap Collection, Brokerage & Trading (Dealers, Aggregators, Exporters) (EUAIAJAH)

akta.pro secondary industries

Auto Shredding & Metal Fragmentation (Shredder Operations) (EUAIAJAD), Post-Shredder Separation & Recovery (Eddy Current, Heavy Media, Sensor Sorting) (EUAIAJAE), E-Waste (WEEE) Collection, Refurbishment & Recycling (IMAIAFAH), Industrial Scrap Management & On-site Services (Plant Scrap, Roll-off, Managed Programs) (EUAIAJAI)

Keywords

• Metal recycling services
• Scrap metal processing
• End-of-life vehicle recycling
• WEEE recycling services
• Lithium-ion battery recycling

Headquarters

HQ city

Warrington

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Supply Chain, Operations, Infrastructure, Personnel, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Metal Recycling and Trading: EMR generates revenue through the collection, processing, and trading of recycled metals including ferrous and non-ferrous metals. The company purchases scrap metal from various sources, processes it through its facilities, and sells to end-users in the manufacturing and industrial sectors.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels3 records

Core offering

EMR is a global metal recycling and materials recovery company that buys, processes, and sells recycled ferrous and non-ferrous metals, end-of-life vehicles, waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE), cables, and increasingly advanced materials such as lithium-ion batteries. Through a network of shredding, separation, and grading facilities across the UK, USA, Netherlands, Germany, and Italy, the company converts industrial and consumer scrap into specification-grade raw materials supplied to manufacturing customers and downstream end-users.

Product overview

EMR is a global materials management and metal recycling company operating a multi-service platform approach. The core offering centers on metals recycling (ferrous and non-ferrous), end-of-life vehicle processing, WEEE recycling, and cable recovery. Specialist divisions extend the platform with used car parts e-commerce (MyAutoStore), marine vessel recycling, plastics recycling, rail infrastructure services, total waste management, environmental consultancy, and property development. A key growth area is advanced battery recycling encompassing EV batteries via the RECOVAS consortium and lithium-ion processing through partnership with Renewable Metals. Processing technology and logistics capabilities round out the integrated service model. EMR's sustainability platform includes renewables recycling (wind turbines) and the 'Our Decade of Action' strategy targeting net-zero operations by 2040.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• MyAutoStore: Online retail platform operated by EMR's US operation, selling quality used OEM car parts salvaged from end-of-life vehicles at up to 90% off dealer prices. Holds inventory from over 300 makes and models ranging from 1980 to 2015.
• EMR Invenens
• MBA Polymers
• EMR Renewables
• EMR Local

Products and services

• Metals Recycling Core ferrous and non-ferrous metal recycling service processing steel, aluminium, copper, and other metals for reuse in manufacturing supply chains. Available to industrial customers, demolition contractors, and trade sellers across the UK, US, Netherlands, Germany, and Italy.
• End-of-Life Vehicle (ELV) Recycling Vehicle recycling service operating the UK's largest network of Authorised Treatment Facilities (ATFs), capable of recycling over 95% of each vehicle with full environmental compliance and depollution services. Used by automotive OEMs, insurers, and fleet operators.
• Waste Electricals and Large Domestic Appliances (WEEE) Recycling WEEE recycling service for electrical equipment and large domestic appliances, ensuring safe disposal and material recovery in compliance with regulations. Includes advanced fridge and freezer recycling with refrigerant gas capture and gold-standard environmental protection.
• Cable Recycling Cable recycling service processing copper and aluminium cables to recover valuable materials from electrical wiring, including a partnership with Openreach and Crimestoppers to combat cable theft.
• Plastics Recycling (MBA Polymers) Specialist plastics recycling through the MBA Polymers division, focused on sorting and recycling waste plastic from end-of-life vehicles, appliances, and other sources.
• Marine Structures and Vessels Recycling Specialized recycling service for marine vessels and offshore structures, including ship decommissioning and material recovery.
• Rail Infrastructure and Rolling Stock Recycling Comprehensive recycling solution for rail infrastructure and railway vehicles, including decommissioning and material recovery, delivered through EMR's Rail Forum patron membership and partnerships with rail operators.
• Total Waste Management Comprehensive waste management solution providing complete material handling and recycling services for industrial and commercial customers, including bin and skip ordering and small stillage services.
• Environmental Consultancy Expert environmental consulting services helping businesses achieve regulatory compliance and develop sustainable waste management practices.
• Property and Brownfield Development Property redevelopment services for contaminated or decommissioned industrial sites, enabling beneficial reuse of land assets.
• Renewables Recycling (EMR Renewables) Specialized recycling service for renewable energy equipment including wind turbine blades and solar panels, recovering materials from decommissioned renewable energy installations.
• Lithium-ion and EV Battery Recycling Advanced lithium-ion battery recycling service including EV battery processing through the RECOVAS consortium and hydrometallurgical recovery of cobalt, nickel, and lithium carbonate. Includes alkali-based recycling demonstration through the Renewable Metals partnership at the Birmingham facility.
• Used Car Parts (MyAutoStore) US-based online retail platform selling quality used OEM car parts salvaged from end-of-life vehicles, offering parts from over 300 makes and models at up to 90% off dealer prices.
• EMR Invenens Advanced Separation Services Advanced separation and processing of shredder residues across five UK sites, recovering metals, plastics, stone, glass, and solid recovered fuels for downstream markets.
• Logistics Services Comprehensive multimodal logistics services including rail freight using MBA wagons, sea shipping via deep-sea docks, and road transport to move materials efficiently across EMR's operations in the UK and internationally.

Quantifiable outcome

• Enables automotive manufacturers to meet end-of-life vehicle recycling targets and regulatory requirements

Named customers3 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• RECOVAS (Automotive Recycling Consortium)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRECOVAS is a research and development partnership focused on end-of-life vehicle recycling. EMR collaborates with automotive manufacturers including Bentley Motors, BMW, and Jaguar Land Rover, along with academic partners like University of Warwick, to develop innovative recycling solutions for vehicles and their components, including battery systems for electric vehicles.
• REAP (Recycling research partnership)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerREAP is a research partnership focused on advanced recycling technologies. EMR works with University of Birmingham and Hypermag Ltd to develop and advance metal recycling technologies and processes, particularly in the area of battery recycling and advanced material recovery.
• Rail ForumminorGTM or Marketing PartnerEMR is a patron member of the Rail Forum, an industry body representing the UK rail supply chain. This partnership provides networking opportunities and industry visibility within the rail sector for recycling services.
• Renewable MetalscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerStrategic partnership focused on metal recycling from renewable energy sources such as wind turbines, solar panels, and other renewable energy infrastructure at end of life.
• OpenreachminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPartnership with Openreach, the network infrastructure company, for recycling of telecommunications network materials and infrastructure components.
• CrimestoppersminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate social responsibility partnership focused on crime prevention and reporting, demonstrating EMR's commitment to community safety and responsible business practices.

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Liberty Steel Group: Liberty Steel is a vertically integrated steel producer with significant metals recycling operations across Europe, making it a broad incumbent in the recycled metals supply chain that overlaps with EMR's ferrous and non-ferrous trading business.
• Nucor Corporation: Nucor is the largest US steel producer and a major buyer of ferrous scrap, with growing investments in EAF-based low-carbon steel, making it a key customer and indirect competitor for high-quality recycled ferrous feedstock that EMR produces.
• Veolia Environmental Services: Veolia is a global environmental services and waste management incumbent that, through its recycling arm, competes with EMR in metals, WEEE, and end-of-life vehicle processing as part of a broader waste management portfolio.

Direct peers

• Befesa SA: Befesa is a European recycling company specialising in steel dust and salt slags from steelworks as well as aluminium salt slags, with comparable industrial recycling services and customer base in the European metals sector.
• Schnitzer Steel Industries: Schnitzer Steel is a US-headquartered metal recycler operating one of the largest ferrous and non-ferrous scrap businesses in North America, with auto shredding and recycling operations directly comparable to EMR's core metal recycling platform.
• Sims Metal Management: Sims Metal is a global metal recycling company with operations across the US, UK, Australia and New Zealand, directly competing with EMR in ferrous and non-ferrous scrap trading, auto shredding, and end-of-life vehicle processing.
• Aurubis AG: Aurubis is a leading European non-ferrous metals recycler and processor of copper and complex recyclables, directly comparable to EMR's non-ferrous scrap and cable recycling business lines serving European industrial customers.
• Boliden AB: Boliden operates a vertically integrated metals and mining business with significant recycling of copper, lead and battery materials, overlapping with EMR's non-ferrous and battery recycling operations in Europe.
• Stena Recycling: Stena Recycling is a large European recycling group active in metals, electronics, and end-of-life vehicle recycling, with a comparable multi-stream recycling platform and similar end markets to EMR.

Emerging players

• Renewable Metals: Renewable Metals is an Australian battery recycling startup in which EMR is a strategic investor and partner, hosting a demonstration plant at EMR's Birmingham site for alkali-based lithium-ion battery recycling, making it a closely tied emerging player.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/emrscrapmetal
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/emr

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles18 records

Subsidiaries4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors1 record

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A1 record

Investments1 record

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about European Metal Recycling