Ferrous Metal Processing

The reason why we say that these metals contain a ‘certain percentage’ of iron is because various ferrous materials contain different amounts of iron. For example, mild steel contains between 0.1 and 0.3% of carbon, with the remaining percentage being iron.

Carbon steel has a carbon content of between 0.6 and 1.4%, and an iron content of between 98.6 and 99.4%. Stainless steel contains iron, nickel and chromium. Cast iron has a carbon content of between 2 and 6%, and an iron content of between 94 and 98%, and wrought iron is composed of almost 100% iron.

Here at Morecambe Metals, our ferrous metal processing capabilities allow us process up to 2000 tonnes of ferrous metals for recycling per week. We process and produce various grades of heavy melting scrap, such as HMS 80/20 and plate and structural scrap steel – this involves industrial or commercial scrap steel such as steel plates, beams, columns, scrap machinery, and metal stampings.

We also produce fragmented or shredded scrap from the shredding of loose light iron material. Various other ferrous metal grades we recycle include cast iron, heavy carbon steel turnings, steel strip and wire, new production steel sheets, loose light steel cuttings and much more.

ferrous metal recycling

recycling aluminium is important

Why We Recycle Ferrous Metals

Steel is a common ferrous metal and is found in a range of products and applications across the world. The steel-making industry depends on the recycling of scrap ferrous metals in order to meet demand while keeping costs low and environmental impact even lower.

  • Close to 40% of all the steel spanning the globe comes from recycled ferrous metals as the process for recycling the steel is much cheaper and uses up much less energy than mining and refining new steel.
  • Recycling steel takes up around 75% less energy than mining and refining new steel deposits, which is enough energy to power approximately 18 million average households.
  • Steel, unlike other non-ferrous metals, retains its physical properties during the recycling process, so it can be effectively used again without needing to be strengthened.

Which Ferrous Metal Products Can Be Recycled?

There are a great number of items constructed from ferrous metals that can be recycled, some that you may not have known about, and vary greatly in size. Cans, vehicles, tools and even household appliances such as washing machines can be recycled as ferrous metals. Cast iron baths, cast iron pipes and old water tanks are also on the list. There are also a variety of items used in the construction industry made of ferrous metals, and the industry uses and then recycles a large quantity of these materials, such as beams, machinery and columns.

The 5 key facts to take away:

  1. Approximately 40% of steel production in the world is made from recycled scrap.
  2. Recycling steel takes up 75% less energy than creating new steel from the raw materials that are mined.
  3. The steel frames of cars contain a minimum of 25% recycled steel, with your average household appliance being constructed using at least 75%.
  4. 55kg of limestone, 1100kg of iron ore and 630kg of coal are saved for every 1 tonne of steel recycled.
  5. Approximately 500,000,000 tonnes of steel is produced each year using recycled scrap materials.

Morecambe Metals


Morecambe Metals arranging ferrous metal processing


Contact Us for More Information

If you need to recycle your ferrous metals, whatever the grade, then Morecambe Metals can help. We offer a comprehensive ferrous metal recycling service that can include the provision of containers, skips and bins and collection for all ferrous scrap metal.

If you would like more information about recycling ferrous metals or the service that our approved treatment facility provides, then please don’t hesitate to contact us. You can give us a call on 01524 69191 and a member of our expert team or scrap metal buyers will be more than happy to help you.