What Riwald Recycling does

Riwald Recycling is a Netherlands-based, B2B high-tech metal recycling company that purchases ferrous and non-ferrous scrap — including beam iron, turnings, HMS, copper, aluminium, zinc, lead, brass, and bronze — from industrial companies, OEMs, demolition firms, utilities, governments, and traders, and processes it into more than 150 graded raw material fractions sold globally to smelters, finishers, and OEMs. Annual throughput is several hundred thousand tonnes, with a 95-100% recycling rate, across two canal-side processing hubs: a 7-hectare / 60,000 m2 complex in Almelo on the Twente Canal and an international hub in Beverwijk on the North Sea Canal with a 275-meter deep-water quay.

The underlying technology is a proprietary multi-stage separation stack built around a high-tech granulator and complemented by infrared (NIR) and X-ray sensor-based sorting, eddy current separators with eccentric pool systems, a proprietary wet separation table, Steinert color sorting, a Guidetti WIRE PRO cable granulator, in-house Spectrolyse copper analysis, electric Sennebogen cranes, and the PYROsmart fire detection system. An EFRO-OOST R&D project with RIWO Engineering and Saxion University is currently developing autonomous detection and robotic picking for residual non-ferrous streams. Beyond metal trading, Riwald provides WEEELABEX-certified e-waste/WEEE processing, on-site disassembly of complex assets (aircraft, trains, vessels, military vehicles, bridges), container collection services, and certified product destruction with documentation.

Riwald generates revenue from the spread between scrap purchase and processed-material sale prices, supplemented by processing and disassembly fees, and is the only Dutch company holding WEEELABEX CENELEC Type 1, 2, and 3 certifications for both large white goods and small domestic/ICT equipment. It also holds CO2-Prestatieladder Level 5 (the first Dutch metal recycler to do so), ISO 14001, VCA, NIWO VIHB, ABCS OF DEMIL, MRF quality mark, and End-of-Waste certificates under EU Regulations 333/2011 and 715/2013. Founded in 1989 by brothers Richard and Ewald Huzink, the company is now a wholly-owned subsidiary of ArcelorMittal — the world's second-largest steel producer — and was consolidated into a single legal entity, Riwald Recycling Netherlands B.V., in November 2024, with 'Riwald' positioned as the European-wide brand for ArcelorMittal's recycling operations.

Name

Riwald Recycling

Legal name

Riwald Recycling Netherlands B.V.

Website

https://riwald.nl

Company type

Private

Founded year

1989

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Riwald Recycling is a Netherlands-based, ArcelorMittal-owned B2B metal recycler that processes several hundred thousand tonnes of ferrous and non-ferrous scrap annually into 150+ graded raw materials for global smelters, finishers, and OEMs, with WEEELABEX-certified e-waste and complex-asset disassembly as adjacent service lines.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Metal Recycling Services

NAICS

Materials Recovery Facilities (56292), Recyclable Material Merchant Wholesalers (42393), Nonferrous Metal (except Aluminum) Production and Processing (3314), Hazardous Waste Treatment and Disposal (562211)

SIC

Wholesale-Metals & Minerals (No Petroleum) (5050)

akta.pro primary industry

Metals Recovery & Sorting Facilities (Ferrous/Non-Ferrous) (EUAIADAG)

akta.pro secondary industries

E-Waste & Electronics Metal Recovery (ITAD, Circuit Boards, Precious Metal Recovery) (IMAKAMAG), Radiator, Cable & Wire Recycling (Copper/Aluminum Wire Chopping, Insulated Cable) (IMAKAMAJ)

Keywords

• Metal recycling services
• Ferrous scrap processing
• Non-ferrous metals recovery
• E-waste WEEE recycling
• Circular metal raw materials

Headquarters

HQ city

Almelo

HQ country

Netherlands

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Metal Purchasing and Processing: Riwald Recycling purchases all types of ferrous metals (beam iron, turnings/chips, grit, HMS, cutting iron, incineration scrap) and non-ferrous metals (copper, bronze, brass, aluminium, zinc, lead, and other metals) from suppliers. The company processes these materials using its high-tech granulator and separation technologies into pure raw material fractions, which are then sold to smelters, finishers, and OEMs in the manufacturing industry. Revenue is generated through the margin between purchase price paid to suppliers and sale price to metal producers, supplemented by processing fees for complex projects such as disassembly, e-waste recycling, and product destruction.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

Riwald Recycling purchases and processes ferrous metals (beam iron, turnings, HMS, cutting iron, incineration scrap) and non-ferrous metals (copper, bronze, brass, aluminium, zinc, lead, and others) from industrial suppliers, OEMs, demolition companies, utilities, waste treatment companies, traders, and governments. The company uses a proprietary high-tech granulator and multi-stage separation technologies (NIR, X-ray, eddy currents, wet separation table, color sorting) to transform complex end-of-life products into more than 150 types of pure raw materials at 95-100% recycling rates, which are sold to smelters, finishers, and OEMs in global manufacturing. Additional services include e-waste/WEEE processing, cable recycling, on-site disassembly of complex assets (aircraft, trains, vessels, bridges), and certified product destruction.

Product overview

Riwald Recycling operates as a high-tech metal recycling company offering a comprehensive suite of services to transform complex waste materials into pure, reusable raw materials. The company processes ferrous metals (steel, cast iron, stainless steel) and non-ferrous metals (aluminium, copper, lead, zinc, bronze, brass) through advanced separation technologies including granulators, eddy currents, drum sieves, wet separation tables, infrared (NIR), X-ray, metal sensors, and color sorting. The product portfolio centers on delivering processed metal raw materials to manufacturers, supported by container services, disassembly of complex projects (aircraft, trains, vessels), and certified product destruction. With two locations in Almelo and Beverwijk, Netherlands, the company produces over 150 types of sustainable raw materials with 95-100% recycling efficiency, positioning itself as a 'circular hub' in the metal recycling supply chain.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Ferrous Metals (Ferrous Scrap) Iron-based metal scrap products including beam iron (long, short, galva), iron turnings/chips, grit, HMS (Heavy Melting Steel) types 1 and 1/2, cutting iron, and incineration scrap. Materials are processed to 95-100% recycling efficiency for reuse in manufacturing. Sold to smelters, finishers, and OEMs in the global manufacturing industry.
• Non-Ferrous Metals Non-ferrous metal products including copper, bronze (copper-tin alloy), brass (copper-zinc alloy), aluminium, zinc, lead, chromium, tin, and titanium. These materials are separated through high-tech processes including eddy currents, color sorting, and spectrolyse analysis. Sold to manufacturers as secondary raw materials.
• E-Waste / WEEE Processing Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) recycling including Large White Goods (LHA), Small Household Appliances and ICT Equipment (SHA), cables, motors, and electric motors. Processing includes depollution, mechanical processing, and advanced specialized machine processing under WEEELABEX CENELEC certification. Only company in the Netherlands holding Type 1, 2, and 3 certificates for both LHA and SHA.
• Cable Recycling Industrial cable recycling using the Guidetti WIRE PRO cable granulating machine and separator for separation of copper and aluminium from industrial cables, achieving 100% material reuse. For industrial customers and infrastructure operators.
• Container Service Container placement for collection of metal-containing waste streams including scrap metal, production waste, and machinery. Containers range from 1 to 40 m3 with anti-theft locks; professional placement and emptying services available. For industrial companies and OEMs with ongoing metal waste streams.
• Disassembly Services Professional dismantling of installations, constructions, infrastructure, vessels, vehicles, aircraft, locomotives, bridges, and locks using high-tech equipment and own transport fleet. For asset owners, transportation companies, and infrastructure operators with complex end-of-life assets.
• Product Destruction

Quantifiable outcome

• 95-100% recycling rate achieved for all processed materials
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers15 records

Segments7 records

Ideal customer profiles6 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature10 records

Partnerships

19 partnerships are on record, tiered core, flagship and minor.

• RIWO EngineeringcoreTechnology or Integration · 1 January 2023RIWO Engineering is a technology partner in the EFRO-OOST R&D project developing a high-tech detection system and picking robot to autonomously separate non-ferrous metals and waste types. RIWO engineers work alongside Riwald and Saxion researchers on the three-year project.
• Hogeschool SaxioncoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023Saxion University of Applied Sciences is the academic research partner in the EFRO-OOST project, contributing researchers and students to develop detection technologies, algorithms, and robotics for autonomous sorting of non-ferrous and waste materials.
• TValleycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023TValley, the innovation cluster in the Netherlands, facilitated the connection between Riwald Recycling and RIWO and Saxion for the EFRO-OOST project. TValley brings together researchers, students, engineers, and domain specialists to collaborate on smart sensors, algorithms, and robotics for circular economy applications.
• MKR TechnologyflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2012Riwald Dakar Team partnered with Czech company MKR Technology to develop the Renault C460 Hybrid Edition — a unique hybrid off-road rally truck weighing 8.5 tonnes including 700 kg of hybrid technology. MKR designed and built the truck chassis and drivetrain as part of a joint effort to achieve a top-five finish in the Dakar Rally while demonstrating sustainable hybrid technology in motorsport.
• Renault TruckscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRenault Trucks is the vehicle platform partner for the Riwald Dakar Team hybrid rally truck project. The Renault C460 Hybrid Edition uses Renault truck chassis adapted with hybrid technology for extreme off-road motorsport, showcasing sustainable technology.
• ZF FriedrichshafencoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerZF Friedrichshafen is a technology partner supplying components for the Riwald Dakar Team hybrid rally truck, supporting the project's goal of demonstrating innovative sustainable technology in motorsport.
• HendricksonminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHendrickson supplies suspension and related components for the Riwald Dakar Team rally truck, contributing to the vehicle's performance in extreme conditions.
• AxleTechminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAxleTech supplies axle and drivetrain components for the Riwald Dakar Team rally truck project.
• EurolminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEurol is a lubricant and operating fluids partner for the Riwald Dakar Team, providing specialized products for the hybrid rally truck's demanding operational requirements.
• ArcelorMittalflagshipOthersArcelorMittal — the world's second-largest steel producer — is the parent company of Riwald Recycling. In November 2024, multiple Riwald group companies (Riwald B.V., Riwald Non Ferro (Hijma), Riwald Corporate Branding B.V., Riwald Recycling Beverwijk B.V., and Riwald Recycling Exploitatie B.V.) merged under Riwald Recycling Netherlands B.V. as part of ArcelorMittal's strategy to use 'Riwald' as the global brand name for recycling operations in Europe.
• Nefit BoschcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNefit Bosch works with Riwald Recycling as a certified WEEELABEX partner for the recycling of approximately 400,000 discarded central heating boilers per year in the Netherlands. Riwald's WEEELABEX certification and expertise in recycling complex products into valuable ferrous metals ensures high-quality, transparent processing meeting regulatory requirements.
• AELS (Aircraft End-of-Life Solutions)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAELS specializes in dismantling end-of-life aircraft from around the world, reusing and recycling parts. Riwald Recycling processes the remaining materials — particularly the special aluminium alloys from aircraft fuselages — into high-quality metal fractions. This collaboration enables fully circular recycling of commercial aircraft, with Riwald using proprietary techniques to process aircraft-grade aluminium alloys.
• KlimaatpleincoreGTM or Marketing PartnerRiwald Recycling is a partner and participant in the Climate Action Alliance of the Klimaatplein platform, which is visited by 20,000 organizations monthly seeking sustainable business solutions. The Alliance consists of 70 SMEs jointly working on a 40% CO2 reduction within 5 years. This partnership provides marketing visibility and collaborative sustainability initiatives.
• Saxion Enschede (additional collaboration)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSaxion University of Applied Sciences collaborates with Riwald on circular economy R&D, innovation projects, and talent development. Multiple collaborations including internships, graduation projects, and joint research initiatives in engineering, circular economy, and supply chain.
• Port of TwenteminorGTM or Marketing PartnerRiwald Recycling is a member of Port of Twente, working with the logistics association and its members to strengthen sustainable logistics in the Twente region, improve infrastructure, and support the Twente economy.
• VDL Container SystemsminorOthersVDL Container Systems supplied the Tridemstel and VDL 30T hook system installed on Riwald's new Volvo FH truck, enabling efficient container handling as part of the sustainable transport fleet.
• Nijwa Groep BV (Nijhof-Wassink)minorOthersNijwa Groep BV (including Nijhof-Wassink) delivered Volvo FH trucks to Riwald Recycling and provides ongoing service support for the sustainable truck fleet.
• Motrac NLminorOthersMotrac NL supplied Linde electric forklift trucks (E35 and E50 series) for internal transport operations, supporting Riwald's electrification and CO2 reduction objectives.
• AveleijnminorOthersAveleijn, a care organization, collaborates with Riwald Recycling on e-waste collection initiatives. Aveleijn's garden team is involved in collecting electronic devices for recycling, with proceeds benefiting the care organization and clients participating in the collection process.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• EMR Group (European Metal Recycling): One of the world's largest metal recyclers, headquartered in the UK with extensive European operations. Directly comparable as a B2B ferrous and non-ferrous scrap processor selling into smelters and OEMs, with similar end-of-life complex asset capabilities and global shipment infrastructure.
• Stena Recycling: Swedish-headquartered recycler with strong presence in Northern Europe and growing Benelux operations. Comparable as a multi-material recycler (metals, electronics, hazardous waste) serving industrial B2B customers with circular-economy value proposition similar to Riwald's.
• ELG Haniel: German-headquartered specialist in stainless steel, nickel alloys, and superalloy scrap, part of the Haniel Group. Directly comparable as a high-purity specialty non-ferrous processor serving European smelters and OEMs with value-added sorting and processing capabilities.

Broad incumbents

• Sims Metal Management: Global publicly-traded metal recycler (ASX: SGM) operating across North America, UK, and Australia. Comparable as a large-scale ferrous/non-ferrous processor serving industrial and OEM customers, though broader geographic and product footprint than Riwald's Netherlands-centric specialty operation.
• Aurubis: European market leader in copper recycling and primary copper production. Functions as both a key offtake customer for high-purity secondary copper (Riwald is a supplier) and as a broader reference point for European non-ferrous metal recovery economics.
• Boliden: Swedish metals company with significant electronics recycling operations at Rönnskär smelter. Comparable as an integrated recycler-smelter with advanced WEEE/electronics metal recovery, providing a benchmark for value-added processing economics similar to Riwald's high-tech approach.
• Veolia Recycling Netherlands: Subsidiary of global waste management major Veolia, with metal recycling operations in the Netherlands. Functions as a broad incumbent offering overlapping services in scrap collection and processing, though metals are part of a wider waste services portfolio rather than the company's primary focus.

Regional players

• Renewi: Dutch-listed (LSE: RWI) waste and recycling company with significant Netherlands and Benelux operations including metals recovery. Regional direct competitor in the Dutch scrap market with overlapping supplier and customer relationships, though broader portfolio spans non-metal waste streams.
• Van Werven Groep: Dutch metal recycler with six sites across the Netherlands and operations in Sweden and Belgium. Direct regional competitor in Dutch ferrous and non-ferrous scrap collection and processing, with comparable supplier and customer segments in industrial scrap.

Emerging players

• DDM Group: Dutch specialist in IT asset disposition and e-waste recycling. Comparable as a Dutch WEEE processor serving enterprise customers, though with a smaller-scale, IT-focused focus versus Riwald's full three-type WEEELABEX CENELEC certification breadth.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCGKB3CdL6UIlYDZva13PtUg/featured
• Facebookfacebook.com/RiwaldRecycling
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/riwaldrecycling
• Instagraminstagram.com/riwaldrecycling

Compliance10 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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

M&A

Investments

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

Frequently asked questions about Riwald Recycling