Hensel Recycling, Mastermelt Ltd. announce collaboration

Hensel Recycling GmbH, headquartered in Aschaffenburg, Germany, and Mastermelt Ltd., headquartered in London, have announced a strategic collaboration designed to advance recycling and processing of platinum group metals- (PGM-) based fuel cell and electrolyzer materials in Europe.

Both companies are experts in PGM, with Hensel specializing in recycling end-of-life materials, and Mastermelt a leader in refining complex PGM materials.

With more than 230 employees in nine countries, Hensel offers its customers a complete range of services for recycling materials containing precious metals, such as automotive and industrial catalytic converters, oxygen sensors, e-scrap and critical raw materials from the hydrogen economy.

With seven global locations, Mastermelt provides solutions for recovering precious metals from various industries, including pharmaceutical, fine chemical, hydrogen, medical, aerospace and jewelry. Mastermelt's advanced technologies and expertise ensure efficient and environmentally responsible extraction processes, maximizing the value recovered from waste for their customers.

According to Hensel, its expertise in collection, dismantling and mechanical processing of end-of-life fuel cells combined with Mastermelt’s proficiency in processing and refining of the MEAs and manufacturing scrap provide a robust framework for this partnership. The collaboration focuses on leveraging both companies’ strengths to improve the availability and efficiency of recycling metals and other critical raw materials from the manufacturing chain and end-of-life units.

Initially, the collaboration will focus on Europe and the fast-growing hydrogen sector.

“This collaboration with Hensel Recycling is a significant step forward in our mission to enhance the sustainability and efficiency of precious metal recycling,” says Jamie Conway-Baker, chief commercial officer of Mastermelt Ltd. “By integrating our core capabilities, we aim to deliver a wider range of services to our customers and to support the circular economy. We are thrilled to formalize this partnership with a long-term well-respected partner in Hensel Recycling.”

“We have a long-term relationship with Mastermelt, and it’s a natural progression to put our strength finally together,” adds Oliver Krestin, managing director of Hensel Recycling. “Both companies will bring sustainable recycling and refining solutions for critical raw materials to the hydrogen world.”