Aurubis commissions steam accumulator system at Europe’s largest multimetal recycling site in Lünen  

Aurubis AG has reached another milestone for more climate-friendly metal production with the successful commissioning of a new steam accumulator system at the Lünen site.

The multimetal recycler invested approximately € 10 million in the system, which significantly boosts energy efficiency but also saves about 5,000 tons of CO₂ annually.

The system consists of four high-pressure steam accumulators and enables excess steam generated in copper production from our furnaces’ waste heat to be stored for later use as needed. The stored steam is used as process steam in production; furthermore, it supplies the plant’s heating infrastructure, including in the administrative building. This eliminates the need to generate additional steam with natural gas.

Aurubis will considerably reduce the use of natural gas-powered fire-tube boilers as a result. The Lünen site will save a total of about 2 million cubic meters¹⁾ of natural gas annually — equivalent to the annual consumption of around 1,000 single-family homes.

The investment was completed within the budget and time frame, and will pay off from an economic perspective as well: The new system will contribute over € 1 million to the Aurubis Group’s operating result (EBITDA) each year.

“With the completion of the steam accumulator system, we are sending a strong signal for sustainable industrial production — in the region and beyond,” Aurubis Lünen Plant Manager Verena von Weiss said. “The project demonstrates that climate protection and industrial innovation can go hand in hand. It is a central element of our CO₂ strategy on site.”

COO Multimetal Recycling Inge Hofkens emphasized: “The new steam accumulator system impressively shows how we at Aurubis align energy efficiency, profitability and climate protection — especially in light of rising energy costs. At the same time, we are enhancing our competitiveness and making a concrete contribution to the energy transition.” 

The system supports Aurubis’ Group-wide climate targets of reducing Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions by 50 % by 2030.  

Note on funding: The project was funded by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy (BMWE) through the Federal Office for Economic Affairs and Export Control (BAFA).