Augean’s copper recovery plant specialises in processing copper-bearing materials generated from the printed circuit board (PCB) industry, transforming waste into fresh, regenerated products. This in-house capability reduces reliance on imports, supporting local resource sustainability.

Our process recovers approximately 99% of the input copper and at least 95% of ammonia, producing high-quality copper and ammonia products that are reintroduced into the supply chain—an environmentally and socially responsible approach. Recycling one tonne of copper consumes about 20% of the energy required for virgin extraction, making it highly sustainable and aligned with SDG and ESG objectives.

Beyond PCB-related waste, our expertise extends to processing other copper compounds, such as copper oxide and basic copper carbonate. We undertake investigational programs to develop processes from laboratory scale through to pilot and full-scale operations, supported by our in-house chemical plant design expertise and regulatory compliance capabilities.

Our innovative copper etchant recovery process is particularly notable. Used in electronics manufacturing, etchant solutions saturated with copper salts are processed to recover the copper, significantly reducing the need for importing new resources. The recovered copper is then remanufactured into regenerated products, supporting a circular economy.