Wieland confirms recycling commitments

In a May post to its website, the board chairman of Ulm, Germany-based Wieland Group says its plans involve “minimizing the need for virgin metals [and to] continuously invest in recycling technology.” The firm owns several metals production firms in the United States, including those of the former Olin Brass, Chase Brass and A.J. Oster.

Wieland Group Chairman of the executive board Dr. Erwin Mayr is quoted in the May website post as saying, “We have been a pioneer for the past 200 years and play a leading role in our industry—particularly in quality and outstanding service. Today, we forge a new path in sustainability and climate protection. We are motivated by our desire to take an active role in solving the climate crisis, and by our commitment and engagement with the future of the company and our employees.”

Mayr continues, “Wieland is committed to ‘net zero’ by 2045 at the latest. Copper can be recycled indefinitely, and we have already achieved secondary rates—i.e., the use of scrap—of over 90 percent for selected products. The environment benefits from such a high secondary ratio, by minimizing the need for virgin metals. Therefore, we continuously invest in recycling technology.”

Wieland Group completed its purchase of the former Global Brass and Copper Holdings Inc. and its Olin Brass, Chase Brass and A.J. Oster divisions in 2019. Red metal scrap-consuming facilities operated by the company in the U.S. include those in East Alton, Illinois, and in Montpelier, Ohio.