What Ekstera does

Ekstera, d.o.o. is a privately held Slovenian circular-economy operator headquartered in Prevalje that delivers an integrated bundle of metal-machining services (cutting, turning, milling, grinding and sandblasting), regulated waste management (collection, brokerage, transport and processing under four Environmental Agency registrations), transport with a fleet of tippers and container vehicles (Volvo, MAN, Ford), and steel/non-ferrous metals trading. Its core customers are regional industrial enterprises — notably steel producer SIJ Ravne Systems, Croning Livarna (foundry), Tro d.o.o., Noži Ravne and Oromat — operating in construction machinery, automotive and recycling.

The company's technical differentiator is the conversion of in-house production waste into secondary raw materials. Proprietary processes include Ni-alloy briquetting of grinding swarf (Briketi Ni 60), vacuum distillation of highly alloyed grinding sludge, 3D-printing material from production residue, dedicated cutting machinery for super-alloys, and 5.0 Al melt-deoxidation granules from recycled aluminium. Matterra, a biodegradable PLA/hops mug developed jointly with O.P.S. Breznik and the Faculty of Polymer Technology, extends the model into consumer goods.

Commercially, Ekstera runs a sales-led, quote-based B2B model with no e-commerce presence, pricing determined per project. Growth is underwritten by ~€3.25M of cumulative NextGenerationEU and ERDF grants (2020–2024) supporting capacity modernisation, R&D, and an AI/IoT drinking-water monitoring system. The firm holds ISO 9001/14001/45001 certifications, a Bisnode Platinum AAA credit rating, and multiple national GZS and regional Koroška GZS innovation awards. With a headcount of 5, revenue is undisclosed, and dependence on a handful of large industrial clients is the dominant risk.

Name

Ekstera

Legal name

Ekstera, d.o.o.

Website

https://ekstera.si

Company type

Private

Founded year

2009

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Ekstera is a Slovenian circular-economy company that converts industrial metal waste into secondary raw materials, while providing metal-machining, waste-management, transport, and steel-trading services to regional steel, foundry and manufacturing enterprises.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Industrial Waste Management and Metal Machining Services

NAICS

Machine Shops (332710), All Other Industrial Machinery Manufacturing (333248)

SIC

Primary Smelting & Refining Of Nonferrous Metals (3330), Construction, Mining & Materials Handling Machinery & Equip (3530)

akta.pro primary industry

Metals Recycling & Processing (Ferrous/Non-Ferrous) (BPALADAF)

akta.pro secondary industries

Non-Ferrous Scrap Processing & Recycling (Aluminum, Copper, Brass, Lead, Zinc) (EUAIAJAB), Non-Ferrous Scrap Processing & Brokerage (Aluminum, Copper, Brass/Bronze, Lead, Zinc, Nickel) (IMAKAMAB), Scrap Metal Collection, Logistics & Aggregation (Yards, Roll-off, Container Programs) (IMAKAMAK), Industrial Scrap Management & On-site Services (Plant Scrap, Roll-off, Managed Programs) (EUAIAJAI)

Keywords

• Metal machining services
• Circular economy solutions
• Industrial waste management
• Steel and metals supply
• Transport services

Headquarters

HQ city

Prevalje

HQ country

Slovenia

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Metal Production/Machining Services: Cutting, turning, milling, grinding, and sandblasting services for metal and non-metal parts in smaller or larger batches for construction machinery, automotive, and recycling industries.
2. Waste Trading and Recycling: Purchase, sale, and processing of various waste types. Specialized in establishing circular economy models connecting companies so waste from one becomes raw material for another.
3. Transport Services: Transportation services for waste and other materials using tippers and special containers (Abroll, self-loading, press containers).
4. Steel and Non-ferrous Metals Commerce: Supply of various types of steel and non-ferrous metals in various shapes and sizes through established supplier network.
5. Matterra Consumer Products: Sale of Matterra bio-based mugs and related sustainable consumer products.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Ekstera provides industrial services including metal machining (cutting, turning, milling, grinding, sandblasting), waste management and circular economy solutions, transportation of waste and materials, and supply of steel and non-ferrous metals. The company also sells proprietary recycled products such as Ni-alloy briquettes (Briketi Ni 60) for foundries and steel mills, and a biodegradable mug brand called Matterra.

Product overview

Ekstera is a circular economy-focused company offering a portfolio of industrial services and products. Core services include metal machining (cutting, turning, milling, grinding, sandblasting), waste management and ecology services, transport, commerce (steel and non-ferrous metals supply), and construction. The company has developed two notable product lines: Matterra, a biodegradable mug made from agricultural waste-based PLA marketed under a dedicated brand, and Briketi Ni 60, nickel alloy briquettes produced from recycled production waste for use in steel mills and foundries. All operations are oriented toward circular economy principles where waste from one process becomes raw material for another.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Matterra: A sustainable mug brand developed jointly by Ekstera, O.P.S. Breznik, and Faculty of Polymer Technology. Made from 100% biodegradable materials and renewable resources. The mug is designed from bio-based thermoplastic composite allowing multiple uses, dishwasher safe, and can be industrially composted after its useful life.

Products and services

• Production Services (Cutting, Turning, Milling, Grinding, Sandblasting) Metal machining services including cutting, turning, and milling in smaller or larger batches, with capabilities for highly demanding products in small series. Production also includes centerless grinding for bar material fi 50-100mm up to 2000mm length and sandblasting (pressurized machine blasting and manual dry ice blasting).
• Ecology and Waste Management Services Waste management services including waste collection, transport, trade, and processing. The company specializes in establishing circular economy models, sustainable waste management, and connecting companies so that one company's waste becomes another's raw material.
• Transport Services Transportation services for waste and other materials using tippers and special container vehicles, including Abrol containers, self-loading containers, and press containers (4-9 m3 capacity). Fleet includes Volvo FE 280, MAN 19.364 FAC kiper, Volvo JS02C, MAN TGS 18.320, and Ford Transit vehicles.
• Commerce (Steel and Non-Ferrous Metals) Supply of various types of steel and non-ferrous metals in various shapes and sizes through a wide network of reliable suppliers, with technical advisory support.
• Construction Services Comprehensive building engineering from concept to implementation for industrial, commercial, and residential construction, including adaptations and maintenance work on existing facilities.
• Matterra Biodegradable Mug A sustainable mug made from polylactic acid (PLA) derived from fermented sugar in agricultural residues, combined with local hops. The bio-based thermoplastic composite mug is reusable, dishwasher-safe, and can be industrially composted after up to 10 recycling cycles.
• Briketi Ni 60 (Ni Alloy Briquettes) Nickel alloy briquettes produced from recycled grinding sludge generated during production. The briquetting process transforms waste Ni-alloy swarf into usable secondary raw materials for steel mills and foundries, supporting circular economy principles.

Quantifiable outcome

• 100% fulfillment of customer wishes targeted
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature7 records

Partnerships

16 partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Tro d.o.o.minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLong-term partnership in construction and adaptation work. Listed as successful cooperation partner in construction services.
• SIJ Ravne Systems d.o.o.coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerStrategic partnership for joint innovation projects. Collaborated on Krožna forma viva project and other innovations. Major steel industry partner.
• Croning Livarna d.o.o.minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLong-term partnership in foundry services and machine building collaborations.
• NIEROS Metal d.o.o.coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerJoint development partner for Krožna forma viva innovation awarded national recognition. Collaboration in metal processing and form viva creation.
• Noži Ravne d.o.o.minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLong-term cooperation in construction services.
• Oromat d.o.o.minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLong-term cooperation in construction services.
• O.P.S. Breznik d.o.o.coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-development partner for Matterra biodegradable mug product, combining Ekstera's circular economy expertise with O.P.S. Breznik's capabilities.
• Fakulteta za tehnologijo polimerov (Faculty of Polymer Technology)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic partner in Matterra development, providing polymer technology expertise for biodegradable product design.
• Additio d.o.o.minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in ReMaREFRACT EU Horizon 2020 project for reuse of magnesium-based by-products and slags for refractory materials.
• TRO - Cutting ToolsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerInnovation partner in regional innovation awards.
• NORIŠKI OGENJminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerInnovation partner in 2022 regional innovation awards.
• Tilen Šumah s.p.minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerInnovation partner in multiple innovation awards including NiAl60 briquet development.
• NPPower d.o.o.minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerInnovation partner in 2022 regional innovation awards.
• Rotary klubminorOthersPartner in Krožna forma viva social project, supporting silent auction for charity.
• CUDV (Center za usposabljanje, delo in varstvo)minorOthersSocial partner in Krožna forma viva project, involving vulnerable groups in creation process from industrial components.
• IHPS - Inštitut za hmeljarstvo in pivovarstvo SlovenijeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in Krožna forma viva project, providing expertise on hop plants and agricultural sustainability.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• ELG Metals: Global trader and processor of stainless steel and high-temperature alloy scrap, with operations supplying mills and foundries. Comparable to Ekstera's Ni-alloy grinding-swarf briquetting and foundry-feedstock activities.
• TSR Recycling: European metal scrap recycler and trader operating collection yards, sorting, and processing. Comparable to Ekstera's ferrous/non-ferrous scrap aggregation and brokerage activities, especially serving steel mills and foundries with secondary feedstock.
• Cronimet Holding: Global trader and processor of non-ferrous scrap metals (super-alloys, nickel, cobalt). Directly comparable to Ekstera's Ni-alloy briquette business, which transforms high-grade industrial swarf into foundry/steel-mill secondary feedstock.

Broad incumbents

• Befesa: European leader in recycling steel dust and salt slags into valuable secondary raw materials. Comparable to Ekstera's briquetting and grinding-sludge-to-feedstock processes, though Befesa operates at much larger industrial scale.
• Scholz Recycling: European scrap-metal collector, processor, and trader serving steelworks and foundries. Comparable to Ekstera's combined collection, transport, brokerage, and metals commerce offering, with similar circular-economy orientation.
• Aurubis: European leader in non-ferrous metals smelting and recycling (copper, nickel, zinc). Comparable to Ekstera's secondary-feedstock production from industrial waste, particularly Ni-alloy recovery and foundry applications.
• Outokumpu: Global stainless-steel producer using high recycled-content feedstock. Comparable as a downstream consumer of nickel-bearing secondary raw materials — the same end-market Ekstera's NiAl60 briquettes target.
• Stena Recycling: One of Europe's largest recyclers of metals, electronics, and hazardous waste. Comparable to Ekstera as a broad-based scrap-metal and circular-economy services provider across multiple European geographies, though at vastly larger scale.
• SIJ Ravne Systems: Major Slovenian steel producer and a Core strategic partner/customer of Ekstera. Comparable in metals processing but operates as an upstream steel mill rather than recycler; useful reference for end-market demand.

Regional players

• NIEROS Metal: Slovenian manufacturer of metal processing equipment and joint innovation partner with Ekstera (Krožena forma viva). Comparable as a regional metalworking peer and collaboration partner in circular-economy product development.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/ekstera

Compliance5 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 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 Ekstera