On September 12, Heraeus Precious Metals Global Business Unit, the world's largest precious metal service provider, officially opened the world's most advanced precious metal plant in Nanjing, Jiangsu. This integrated base, called Heraeus Precious Metals Technology (China) Co., Ltd., integrates precious metal recycling and precious metal chemical production and other businesses, with a total investment of about 120 million US dollars (including expansion projects). This strategic investment will further consolidate Heraeus' position as a leading precious metals trader, processor and recycler, and assist the rapid growth of China's related industries.
Heraeus opens world's most advanced precious metal plant in Nanjing
After nearly two years of construction, Heraeus's world's most advanced precious metal plant in Nanjing, China has officially started production. The new plant in Jiangbei New Materials Science and Technology Park covers an area of 84,000 square meters and will significantly increase Heraeus' precious metals, especially platinum group metals (PGM) refining and recovery capabilities, and precious metal chemicals production capacity. Among them, the recovery capacity of raw materials containing precious metals will be increased to 3,000 tons, and the production capacity of precious metal chemicals will be tripled. It is expected that by 2020, the new plant will have more than 200 experts and technicians.
China is the world's largest consumer of platinum group metals. Platinum group metals are widely used as emission catalysts and process catalysts in mainstream industries such as automotive, electronics, glass, chemical, petrochemical and pharmaceutical industries. Improving air quality and developing energy storage technologies such as renewable energy and fuel cells are inseparable from high-quality precious metal products and catalysts. However, China's platinum group metal resources are severely scarce and can only be imported or recycled.
Recycling is the most economical and environmentally friendly way to provide precious metals and ensure the supply of precious metals. The energy consumption can be as low as 1% to 1.5% of mining, and the carbon footprint is only 3.3 ‰ to 5 ‰ of mining.
As the world's most advanced precious metal plant, Heraeus' Nanjing plant will provide refining precious metals, precious metal products and recycling services.
Heraeus management and government representatives plant new osmanthus for new plant in Nanjing
"We are committed to working with companies across the precious metals value chain in China to contribute to the development of China's new materials industry through more sustainable and innovative solutions." Ling Ruide, Chairman of the Heraeus Group Management Committee (Jan Rinnert) said.
China is one of the most important markets for Heraeus, with one-third of the company's turnover in Greater China. The company has been developing in this area for more than 40 years. At present, Heraeus has more than 2,600 employees and 20 companies in Greater China.
The Nanjing plant has fully considered the requirements of sustainability and environmental supervision in terms of design. Heraeus uses the most advanced technology and strict internal standards to ensure that it exceeds the requirements of China's current environmental regulations. For example, the exhaust gas is purified by an efficient purification system before being discharged, and the wastewater will also be treated by a special Heraeus patented process and disposed of according to local standards.
In addition, the new plant was fully designed with future expansion needs in mind at the beginning of the design. A new wing for precious metal pigments is currently under construction and is scheduled to be completed next year.
At the groundbreaking ceremony, Heraeus also signed a school-enterprise cooperation agreement with Nanjing University of Technology.