Solutions for electric motor recycling
Electric motors contain high-value materials, particularly copper, steel and aluminium. Efficient recycling requires processing technologies capable of breaking down their compact structure and liberating these materials for effective downstream separation and recovery.
At ZB, we design and deliver industrial recycling solutions tailored to the type of motor, required throughput and recovery targets of each operation.
What are electric motors and how are they processed?
Electric motors from industrial equipment, machinery, household appliances and other applications have a compact construction containing steel, copper, aluminium and other metallic components.
To maximise the recovery of these valuable materials, the motors must be effectively reduced in size to liberate their different components before downstream separation and sorting.
Every application has different requirements. At ZB, we assess the incoming material, required throughput and recovery targets to determine the most effective process configuration.
Plants tailored to your material, throughput and recovery targets
Every plant is designed around the characteristics of the material and the operational requirements of the customer. To define the right solution, we consider:
- Type and size of electric motors
- Required throughput
- Copper and other metal content
- Pre-shredding and shredding requirements
- Existing separation systems
- Recovery targets and required final product quality
Based on this analysis, we define a process configuration designed to improve material liberation and increase the efficiency of downstream recovery processes.
Higher recovery of copper and other valuable metals
Effective material preparation helps liberate the copper, steel and aluminium contained within each motor, improving the efficiency of downstream separation.
By integrating pre-shredding, hammermill shredding and sorting technologies, cleaner fractions can be produced, increasing material recovery and maximising the value of the recovered metals.
View all ZB Group’s scrap metal recycling solutions.


