Recycling and recovery of metal-bearing residual materials into metal concentrates for non-ferrous metal smelters worldwide
WRC World Resources Company GmbH
Wurzen (04808) · Leipzig · New Taipei City/Kaohsiung · Istanbul · Seriate (BG) · Basel · Asnières-sur-Seine · Barcelona · Bidford on Avon · São Paulo · San Luis Potosí · Pottsville, PA · Tolleson, AZNew on Amplifa
About WRC
WRC World Resources Company GmbH specializes in the recycling and recovery of metal-bearing residual materials. At its production site in Wurzen near Leipzig, the company processes metal-bearing sludges, residual materials and liquids from industrial processes into marketable metal concentrates, which are supplied worldwide to non-ferrous metal smelters and producers. The facilities were expanded in three stages in 1999, 2002 and 2008, enabling an annual capacity of 45,000 tonnes; since 2016 a CPA plant for processing metal-bearing liquids has been available, and since 2024 a crushing plant for hard-brittle materials. An in-house laboratory with ICP-OES, XRF, UV/VIS spectroscopy and ion chromatography ensures material analysis and quality assurance. Founded in Leipzig in 1996, the company is part of the US-based WRC Group, employs more than 200 people worldwide and serves more than 700 customers from its European headquarters in Wurzen. An international network of offices in Europe, Asia, North and South America complements transport logistics including notification procedures as well as consulting on recycling and environmental regulations.
- Site
- Wurzen
- Processes
- Recovery of metal-bearing residual materials into metal concentrates, CPA plant for processing metal-bearing liquids, Crushing of hard-brittle materials, Material analysis and laboratory testing (ICP-OES, XRF, UV-VIS, ion chromatography), Transport organization and cross-border logistics incl. notification procedures, Recycling service (recovery of metal-bearing residual materials into metal concentrates), Material analysis / in-house laboratory (ICP-OES, XRF, ion chromatography, UV/VIS), Transport service incl. notification procedures and sureties
- Materials
- metal-bearing residual materials, metal-bearing sludges, metal-bearing liquids, critical raw materials, metal concentrates (non-ferrous metals), Metal-bearing residual materials, Metal-bearing sludges, Metal-bearing liquids
- Certificates
- ISO 9001:2015, ISO 14001:2015, ISO 45001:2018, ISO 50001:2018, Certified waste management company (§ 56 German Circular Economy Act), Climate-neutral company (2026), EcoVadis, Certified waste management company (TÜV NORD)
- Founded
- 1996
- Employees
- 200+
- Industries
- Recycling / waste and circular economy, Non-ferrous metal smelters and metal producers, Industry sectors with metal-bearing residual materials
- 01
Material acceptance and incoming inspection
- 02
Laboratory analysis (ICP-OES, XRF, UV/VIS, ion chromatography)
- 03
Transport organization incl. notification procedures
- 04
Processing and recovery in Wurzen
- 05
Quality control of the concentrates
- 06
Production and distribution of metal concentrates
- 07
Delivery to non-ferrous metal smelters worldwide
Materials & Processes
Metal-bearing residual materials
Industrial residual materials from various industry sectors, recovered into metal concentrates.
Metal-bearing sludges
Sludges from industrial processes, a core recovery focus of the WRC Group worldwide.
Metal-bearing liquids
Processed since 2016 in the CPA plant at the Wurzen site.
Critical raw materials
Return of critical materials into the raw material cycle.
Metal concentrates (non-ferrous metals)
Product delivered as a raw material or additive to non-ferrous metal smelters.
Services & Products
Inside the production
Industries
Processes & technical limits
| Processes | Tolerance | Max. part | Weight | Lot size | Materials |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Recovery of metal-bearing residual materials into metal concentratesRecycling/Recovery | – | – | – | 45,000 t/a annual capacity | metal-bearing residual materials, metal-bearing sludges, critical raw materials |
| CPA plant for processing metal-bearing liquidsRecycling/Recovery | – | – | – | – | metal-bearing liquids |
| Crushing of hard-brittle materialsRecycling/Recovery | – | – | – | – | hard-brittle materials |
| Material analysis and laboratory testing (ICP-OES, XRF, UV-VIS, ion chromatography)Testing | – | – | – | – | metal-bearing residual materials |
| Transport organization and cross-border logistics incl. notification proceduresLogistics | – | – | – | – | metal-bearing residual materials |
7 Anlagen & Maschinen
| Machine | Manufacturer / model | Quantity | Working area | Year built | Site |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Production plant for recovery of metal-bearing residual materials | – | 3 | – | 1999/2002/ | Wurzen |
| CPA plant (processing of metal-bearing liquids) | – | 1 | – | 2016 | Wurzen |
| Crushing plant for hard-brittle materials | – | 1 | – | 2024 | Wurzen |
| Rainwater utilization system | – | 1 | – | 2009 | Wurzen |
| Photovoltaic system | – | 1 | – | 2009 | Wurzen |
| Wastewater treatment plant | – | – | – | – | Wurzen |
| Laboratory equipment ICP-OES, XRF, UV-VIS, ion chromatography | – | – | – | – | Wurzen |
Additional services
Quality & Certifications
An in-house laboratory with ICP-OES, XRF, UV/VIS spectroscopy and ion chromatography ensures incoming inspection, product quality and regular interlaboratory tests. The integrated management system is certified worldwide by SGS according to ISO 9001, 14001, 45001 and 50001.
| Evidence | Wurzen |
|---|---|
| ISO 9001:2015 | |
| ISO 14001:2015 | |
| ISO 45001:2018 | |
| ISO 50001:2018 | |
| Certified waste management company (TÜV NORD) | |
| EcoVadis |
Company History
- 1996
Founding of WRC GmbH in Leipzig
- 1999
Start of production in Wurzen, first plant stage with 15,000 t/a
- 2000
Opening of marketing office Paris (France, Belgium)
- 2001
Initial certification as a certified waste management company as well as according to ISO 9001 and ISO 14001
- 2002
Second production line, capacity 30,000 t/a
- 2003
New offices in England and Italy, expansion of the company premises
- 2008
Third production plant in Wurzen, capacity 45,000 t/a
- 2009
Rainwater utilization system and photovoltaic system commissioned
- 2011
Opening of marketing office Barcelona
- 2013
Market development in Turkey via the Istanbul office
- 2016
Commissioning of a CPA plant for processing metal-bearing liquids
- 2021
Achievement of CO2 neutrality
- 2024
New crushing plant for hard-brittle materials