Here we speak with company CEO Milica Uraz about the importance of recycling, investments in innovation aimed at preserving the environment and the planet, the opening of the first scrap metal refining plant in Serbia, the efficient use of resources and company plans.
Founded in 2008, Steel Impex today represents the leader of Serbia’s waste recycling market. What is it that you are capable of or can do better than others? Is there something that set you apart and enabled your rise to the top?
― Steel Impex became a leader of Serbia’s waste recycling market thanks to our passionate dedication to innovation and sustainable operations. We have always tried to be a step ahead, introducing advanced technologies and processes that enable us to achieve high standards of quality and environmental protection. Our ability to adapt swiftly to changes on the market and evolve continuously to meet the needs of our clients are what set us apart. Our expertise, teamwork and dedication to providing a top user experience are the key factors that have propelled us to the top and made us the leader of the waste recycling industry in Serbia.
Approximately 60 million tons of waste are dumped in Serbian landfills annually. This is both an ecological disaster and a huge economic loss?
― Disposing of massive amounts of waste in landfills does indeed represent an ecological disaster and creates significant economic losses. Recycling is an important part of the solution to this problem because it enables the reuse of resources, reduces pollution and the ecological footprint, saves energy and reduces the need to build new landfill sites.
Every piece of recycled waste really counts, both environmentally and economically. Recycling materials like metal, paper, plastic and rubber contributes to reducing the amount of waste dumped in landfills. Apart from that, recycling can generate revenue through the sale of recycled materials and the creation of new jobs in the recycling industry. Our company has a key role to play in this fight, as we contribute to reducing of waste and preserving the environment. The continuous promoting of recycling and raising awareness of its importance can help promote a more sustainable way of managing waste in Serbia.
You’ve announced the opening of the first scrap metal refining plant in Serbia, in Krnješevci. How does this recycling centre differ from others on our territory?
― It differs from other recycling centres in the region in several key ways:
1. Specialisation for the refining of metals: our facility specialises in the refining of mixed non-ferrous metals, which represents a precise and sophisticated process and which enables us to provide high-quality metal recycling and processing services, which can be a rarity in the region.
2. Added value and resource efficiency: metal refining enables greater precision and efficiency in the separation and processing of metals. This leads to greater added value, as the refined metal can be reused in different industries without a loss of quality.
3. Reduced ecological footprint: refining metals minimises losses and unnecessary pollution. This can be particularly important in countries like Serbia, where we are confronted by ecological challenges.
4. Technological advancements: with this work, we demonstrate our dedication to investing in advanced technologies and processes. This can help Steel Impex position itself as a leader in the recycling industry of the region.
In short, opening a metal refining plant in Krnješevci positions Steel Impex as an innovative leader in the recycling industry, with the capability to provide high-quality services and contribute to a more sustainable way of managing waste in Serbia and beyond.
What will the new plant be able to process?
― We plan to process mixed non-ferrous metals in Krnješevci, including electronic and electrical waste. Our goal is to separate pure copper, aluminium and stainless steel from these mixtures.
Every investment in innovation in the area of recycling has a deeper significance and has a positive impact on our environment and the future of the planet
This is an important step in the preserving of resources and the reducing of the environmental impact, because it enables the reuse of high-quality metals and prevents the unnecessary dumping of these materials in landfills or their export to operators abroad.
None of what you do would be possible without modern technology and your expert team. Is every investment in innovation in the area of recycling an investment in a healthy environment and the future of the planet?
― Every investment in innovation in the area of recycling has a deeper significance and has a positive impact on our environment and the future of the planet. Through the development and application of modern technology, as well as the engagement of expert teams, we are able to process waste more efficiently and sustainably. These investments not only contribute to reducing pollution of the air, water and soil, but rather also reduce the need for the exploitation of natural resources, which is crucial to preserving natural ecosystems.
Innovations in recycling also reduce pressure on landfill sites and prevent them from becoming overwhelmed, thus preserving the quality of the environment and preventing negative impacts on local communities. They also contribute to reducing emissions of greenhouse gases, thereby playing an important role in the struggle against climate change.
Moreover, investment in innovation in the field of recycling supports sustainable economic practices in which resources are used efficiently and enduringly. That creates foundations for a sustainable future, thus securing better quality of life for current and future generations. This all renders investment in innovations in recycling key to the preserving of the environment and the creating of a sustainable future for our planet.
Nothing without advanced technology
The processing of mixed non-ferrous metals and electronics waste demands advanced technology and expertise in order to precisely separate the desired metals. Our team of experts and innovative technology will help us achieve this goal. Once we extract pure copper, aluminium and stainless steel, these materials will be able to be used in various industries, from the electrical engineering industry to the construction industry and other sectors, contributing to a sustainable circular economic model and reducing the need for the extraction of new raw materials.
