• Press Release

PUBLIC NOTICE: ReMA Proposed Specification Changes for Nonferrous Scrap Metal

(Washington, DC) – The Institute of Scrap Recycling Industries (ISRI) Board of Directors will consider the following nonferrous scrap metal specification modifications and additions during its Spring Meeting to be held on April 24, 2017 in New Orleans:

Barley No. 1 COPPER WIRE

Shall consist of No. 1 bare, uncoated, unalloyed copper wire, commonly known as Bare Bright copper wire. Wire gauge subject to agreement between buyer and seller. Green copper wire and hydraulically compacted material to be subject to agreement between buyer and seller.

Berry No. 1 COPPER WIRE

Shall consist of clean, untinned, uncoated, unalloyed copper wire and cable, free of brittle burnt wire. Wire gauge subject to agreement between buyer and seller. Free of copper tubing. Hydraulically briquetted copper subject to agreement.

Birch No. 2 COPPER WIRE

Shall consist of miscellaneous, unalloyed copper wire having a nominal 96% copper content (minimum 4%) as determined by electrolytic assay. Should be free of the following: Excessively leaded, tinned, soldered copper wire; brass and bronze wire; excessive oil content, iron, and non-metallics; copper wire from burning; insulation; hair wire; brittle burnt wire; and should be reasonably free of ash. Hydraulically briquetted copper subject to agreement.

Candy No. 1 HEAVY COPPER SOLIDS AND TUBING

Shall consist of clean, unalloyed, uncoated copper clippings, punchings, bus bars, commutator segments, and clean copper tubing. Hydraulically briquetted copper subject to agreement.

Berry/Candy Candy/Berry

A combination of copper wire and heavy copper as defined in Berry and Candy. See above.

Cliff No. 2 COPPER SOLIDS AND TUBING

Shall consist of miscellaneous, unalloyed copper scrap having a nominal 96% copper content (minimum 94%) as determined by electrolytic assay. Should be free of the following: Excessively leaded, tinned, soldered copper scrap; brasses and bronzes; excessive oil content, iron and non-metallics; copper tubing with other than copper connections or with sediment; copper wire from burning;  insulation; hair wire; brittle burnt wire; and should be reasonably free of ash. Hydraulically briquetted copper subject to agreement.

Birch/Cliff

A combination of No. 2 copper wire and copper as defined in Birch and Cliff. See above.

Elmo MIXED ELECTRIC MOTORS

Shall consist of whole electric motors and/or dismantled electric motor parts that are primarily copper-wound. May contain some aluminum-wound material, subject to agreement between buyer and seller. No excessive steel attachments such as gear reducers, iron bases, and pumps, or loose free iron allowed. Specification not to include sealed units or cast iron compressors.

Small Elmo ELECTRIC MOTORS

Shall be sized to approximately basketball size or smaller and shall consist of whole electric motors and/or dismantled electric motor parts that are primarily copper-wound. May contain some aluminum-wound material, subject to agreement between buyer and seller. No excessive steel attachments such as gear reducers, iron bases, and pumps, or loose free iron allowed. Specification not to include sealed units or cast iron compressors.

Shelmo SHREDDED ELECTRIC MOTORS (also called “shredder pickings” or “meatballs”)

Shall consist of mixed copper-bearing material from ferrous shredding, comprised of motors without cases. May contain up to 10 percent aluminum-wound material and may contain insulated copper harness wire, subject to agreement between buyer and seller. Trace percentages of other contaminants and fines may be present. No free iron or sealed units.

Sheema SHREDDED ELECTRIC MOTORS (also called “shredder pickings” or “meatballs”)

Shall consist of mixed copper and aluminum bearing material from ferrous shredding, comprised of motors without cases. May contain insulated copper harness wire, subject to agreement between buyer and seller. Trace percentages of other contaminants and fines may be present. No free iron or sealed units.

Zeyda SHREDDED INSULATED COPPER WIRE

Shall consist predominantly of recovered ICW (Insulated Copper Wire) that has been derived by either mechanical or physical separation. This material is likely to have other metals, in small percentages (should be less than 5%) that were not successfully separated. The percentage of each metal within the overall product shall be subject to agreement between buyer and seller.  Shall have passed one or more magnets to reduce or eliminate free iron and/or large iron attachments. Shall be free of radioactive material, dross, or ash. Material to be bought/sold under this guideline shall be identified as “Zeyda” with two numbers to follow, indicating the estimated percentage recoverable copper wire and the second indicating the maximum amount of other metals or contaminants expected. (e.g., “Zeyda 45/3” means the material contains approximately 45% copper and up to 3% other material). May also be screened to permit description by specific size ranges.

ISRI’s Nonferrous Division approved each of the specification changes in January 2017. The changes are intended to more accurately reflect the commodities that are currently being traded in the nonferrous scrap metal marketplace. At the Board of Directors meeting, the Board may choose to adopt, amend, or reject the recommendations of the Division or table them pending further review. More information about the rules governing the procedures from the addition, amendment, or withdrawal of ISRI’s scrap specifications can be found in the Scrap Specifications Circular.

To submit comments, recommendations, or questions please contact Joe Pickard. There will be an open comment period for 30 days following the vote by the Board.

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The Institute of Scrap Recycling Industries, Inc. (ISRI) is the Voice of the Recycling Industry. ReMA represents approximately 1,300 companies in 21 chapters in the U.S. and 34 countries worldwide that process, broker and consume scrap commodities, including metals, paper, plastics, glass, rubber, electronics, and textiles. With headquarters in Washington, DC, ReMA provides education, advocacy, safety and compliance training, and promotes public awareness of the vital role recycling plays in the U.S. economy, global trade, the environment, and sustainable development. Generating more than $105 billion annually in U.S. economic activity, the scrap recycling industry provides nearly half a million Americans with good jobs. 

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