Smarter Scrap and Leaner Mills

Q1. Could you start by giving us a brief overview of your professional background, particularly focusing on your expertise in the industry?

I earned an MBA from Carnegie Mellon in 1991. Since then, I’ve worked in Transportation, Management Consulting, Flat-Rolled Steel, Steel Pipe, and Copper, before stepping out on my own as an independent consultant. I’ve worked on the mill floor, in strategic planning, supply chain, and purchasing. In Copper, I was responsible for procuring raw materials, which totaled 50,000 tpy of scrap metal.

Q2. How is demand for traceable, high-quality scrap metals evolving in the U.S., and what role do standards like ASTM and digital tracking play in pricing and quality assurance?

In Copper and Carbon Steel, traceability is very limited. Inspection, testing, and analytical chemistry take precedence. Practices may vary for other industries and metals.

ASTM standards come into play for laboratory testing of sampled scrap metal. There is an ASTM guideline, but no standard for using handheld XRFs for Copper and Copper alloy scrap.

There is also an ASTM guideline, but not a standard, for sampling granular copper wire scrap.

Some high-quality copper wire granulators have an in-house lab and provide certified chemistries for a premium price.…