Raffineria Metalli Cusiana S.p.a. (Cusiana), a major Italian secondary aluminium refiner supplying multinational automotive, construction and furniture companies across Europe, has established a strategic partnership with TOMRA Recycling to redefine aluminium recycling with advanced multi-sensor sorting technology. Together, they have pioneered a multi-stage sorting line, enabling Cusiana to move beyond traditional ingot production and create branded, near carbon-free aluminium ingots and specific high-purity alloys, maximising profit while also delivering significant environmental benefits.
Historically, Cusiana’s business model was based solely on the melting and production of aluminium ingots, but the company has strategically transformed its business model over the last few years. Without advanced pre-sorting of the scrap, melting could not meet the strict elemental specifications, such as maximum limits on silicon or iron, now strictly required by aerospace and automotive customers. This strategic shift allows Cusiana to capture significantly higher value from its input materials, reducing dependency on commodity markets and strengthening long-term competitiveness.
Today, the scrap recovery side of the business accounts for 50 percent of total revenue, making it a key growth area. With a capacity of 100.000 tons per annum plant in Verbania, Italy, 24 hours a day, five days a week, Cusiana’s goal is to increase profitability by producing material of a quality previously unattainable from scrap. Cusiana’s process is powered entirely by renewable energy sources, dramatically reducing energy consumption and allowing it to produce near carbon-free aluminium. This enables the production of its branded ‘Recall’ ingots, providing a competitive advantage to high-profile customers who require both high-quality materials and a low-carbon footprint.