India’s largest non-ferrous scrap recycler leverages STEINERT equipment to process 600,000 tonnes annually

CMR Green, India's largest non-ferrous scrap recycler, strengthens its role as a premium supplier by combining large-scale recycling with advanced sorting technology and a clear sustainability mission. The company's ambition is driven by three central goals: to maximise metal recovery, reduce emissions, and guarantee consistent quality for recyclers worldwide.

For non-ferrous recyclers, CMR Green serves as an example of how reliable sorting performance can be achieved even under demanding Indian conditions, such as high temperatures, dust, heterogeneous material streams, and fluctuating quality.

Overseeing new facilities and technology rollouts across India, Gupta ensures the company remains a pioneer in efficient, high-quality recycling. Today, CMR Green operates twelve plants in six Indian states, processing around 600,000 tonnes of scrap annually to produce primarily aluminium and zinc alloys — key materials for India's automotive, construction, and consumer goods sectors driving the nation's circular economy.

The company's latest success is built on advanced sensor-based sorting systems from STEINERT, which deliver precise material separation and high recovery rates. Vice President of Projects, Ved Prakash Gupta, puts it precisely: "Innovation is the core of CMR Green Technology."

Technology partnership with STEINERT

In a competitive market where sorting quality defines profitability, CMR Green's collaboration with STEINERT has been crucial. "With STEINERT's induction sorters, X-ray sorters and eddy current separators, we are able to produce consistent quality products in Indian conditions — and that has added real value to our revenues," Gupta explains. The partnership has not only improved product purity but also enhanced the company's operational stability and sustainability metrics.

To give an example of the process flow: first, eddy current separators recover non-ferrous metals efficiently, X-ray transmission (XRT) technology separates aluminium by density and induction sorting system enriches stainless steel or copper cables. This combination ensures purity and high recovery rates while reducing manual work and energy use.

Project Manager Pradeep Kumar, responsible for equipment and optimisation, highlights similar benefits from an operational point of view: "The value created by STEINERT lies in providing advanced technologies that reduce manual sorting, minimise human error, and increase productivity." He emphasises that automation and precision also improve workplace safety and stability — an important factor in large-scale Indian recycling operations.

Sustainability at the core for a fast-growing market

India's recycling market is expanding rapidly. CMR Green continuously upgrades its technologies to meet its demand. "We see end-of-life vehicles (ELV), construction waste, and consumer electronics as key drivers for India's recycling industry," Gupta notes.

And he also points out another highly important topic: Sustainability, which is more than a target, it's built into CMR Green's business model. By recycling aluminium and stainless steel into high-quality secondary alloys, the company saves up to 95 percent CO2 compared to primary production.

As Gupta explains, "The better we sort, the more sustainable our business becomes. By recycling secondary metals, we're not only supporting India's industrial growth but also reducing its environmental footprint."

Innovation with purpose

Through this ongoing partnership, CMR Green and STEINERT demonstrate how technological excellence and environmental responsibility can go hand in hand. The collaboration shows that investing in advanced sorting systems is not merely a matter of efficiency, it's an investment in the future of sustainable manufacturing.

As Director Raghav Agarwal summarises: "STEINERT's technology gives us confidence in the path forward for India's circular economy. Precision, stability, and efficiency — these are the qualities that help us grow sustainably."

A partnership proven in the testing centre

Before investing in the latest sorting technologies, CMR Green's project leaders visited the STEINERT Test Centre in Germany, to run material trials and assess system performance under real conditions. "Our team visited the STEINERT Test Centre, and they were impressed by the facility," Kumar recalls. "After the trials, we decided to buy the XRT machines." The decision was backed by Director Raghav Agarwal, who personally participated in the tests: "The scale and efficiency of STEINERT's test centre are really impressive," he says. "Their engineers went beyond expectations to help us understand the technology and its possibilities."