Recyclability

The high costs of raw materials, energy and environmental
protection impose an absolute reduction of raw materials that
cannot be recycled or can be poorly recycled. In this sense, brass
constitutes an excellent example:
- Waste processing: it deals exceptionally with the scraps from
the hot forging which are entirely recycled with a value that, unlike
other metals, is not much lower than that one of a semi finished
product. The proof of this statement is a processing contract,
which is common in this area, and means that the scraps remained
after working processes are transformed into a semi finished item
by the producer at processing costs only.
Consequently, the price
which is apparently higher of that one of a semi finished product,
after certain calculations appears to be more economical as
compared with other metals or raw materials, recycling of which is
more difficult and therefore more expensive.
- Energy: the high thermal conductivity of brass, the use of
electrical induction ovens with very high performance lead to
moderate energy costs, which, for example, are less than half of
those required to produce one kilogram of steel.
- Environmental compatibility: the casting technologies produce a
low environmental impact which can be totally controlled, and also
in this case, the by-products can be conveniently entirely recycled.