Cable recycling makes it possible to recover valuable materials such as copper and aluminium and reintroduce them into the production cycle. Thanks to advances in automated sorting technologies, recycling plants can now obtain higher-purity metal fractions and improve the overall efficiency of the process.
At Eldan Sorting, we provide high-performance optical sorting solutions for cable recycling and copper recovery, designed to separate metals and plastics from complex material streams.
Cable recycling is the process of recovering the metals and plastics contained in electrical and electronic cables through sorting, shredding and separation processes.
The goal of cable wire recycling is to recover valuable materials -primarily copper, aluminium and reusable plastics- preventing scrap cable from ending up in landfill.
Throughout the process, optical sorting technologies enable more accurate separation of metal and plastic fractions, reducing valuable material losses and improving the quality of the recovered output.
The quality of recovered metal fractions has a direct impact on both the economic value of the material and the overall efficiency of the recycling process. The lower the level of impurities or mixed metals, the higher the commercial value of the recovered copper or aluminium and the lower the costs associated with downstream processing or refining.
For this reason, improving the quality of the recovered fractions can increase their market value, reduce the need for reprocessing and maximise the recovery of valuable metals from the material stream. As a result, advanced optical sorting technologies are playing an increasingly important role in modern cable recycling plants.
In the initial collection and sorting stage, cables are grouped by type, such as copper, aluminium or mixed cables. Non-processable components, including plugs and connectors, are then removed. This preliminary sorting helps improve the quality of the material processed in the subsequent stages.
The cables are then shredded and granulated to reduce them into smaller particles and release the metal from the plastic insulation. Depending on the material being processed and the required purity level, air separation, density separation, magnetic separation or electrostatic separation technologies may then be applied.
After these stages, optical sorting systems process the cable granulate to separate copper that remains mixed with other metals following conventional separation. This makes it possible to produce higher-purity metal fractions while reducing losses of valuable material.
Finally, the recovered metal can be returned to the market as a secondary raw material for the manufacture of new cables, electrical components and other metal products.
The materials most commonly recovered when recycling cables and wires include copper, one of the most valuable metals found in waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE); aluminium, which is present in power cables and certain types of structured cabling; and insulation plastics, primarily PVC, polyethylene (PE) and polypropylene (PP), which are used to coat and protect the conductor.
Copper is generally the component with the highest economic value and can account for up to 80% of the total value of a cable. According to July 2026 data, the price of pure copper stood at €10.17/kg, based on its closing price on the London Metal Exchange (LME), rather than the value of recovered copper. During the same month, aluminium reached €3,077.33 per tonne. Although aluminium is less valuable than copper, its recovery can still be economically viable when processed at scale.
Recycled rigid PVC, the polymer most commonly found in cables, trades at around €0.20/kg, although this figure varies depending on local scrap market conditions. Despite its significantly lower value compared with metals, recovering PVC remains important to prevent landfill disposal and improve circularity across the sector.
Other recoverable materials include rubber and elastomers, commonly found in industrial or heavy-duty cables; steel, used in reinforced or armoured cables; and, to a lesser extent, precious metals such as silver and gold, which may be present in certain connectors and associated electronic components.
Cable recycling plants rely on optical sorting technologies to improve copper purity, reduce material losses and increase the overall efficiency of the recycling process. These solutions combine advanced sensors, Near-Infrared (NIR) technology to identify material composition, high-resolution RGB cameras capable of distinguishing metals by colour, and multispectral cameras that analyse different wavelengths of the spectrum for more comprehensive material identification. Together with machine vision and Artificial Intelligence (AI), these technologies automatically identify and sort the different material fractions contained in cable granulate.
For these applications, a cable sorting machine helps optimise the separation of metal and plastic fractions, improving the quality of the recovered output while maximising the recovery of valuable metals and reusable plastics.
As demand for high-quality secondary raw materials continues to grow, recycling plants require technologies capable of meeting increasingly demanding requirements in terms of precision, throughput and flexibility. In this context, selecting the right sorting system becomes a key factor in improving material recovery and overall process performance. Although other advanced technologies, such as XRT (X-ray Transmission) and XRF (X-ray Fluorescence), can also be used in cable recycling to identify and separate metals based on density and chemical composition, they typically involve a significantly higher investment cost.
Choosing the right sorting equipment has a direct influence on material quality, processing capacity and the overall efficiency of the recycling line. Since every facility handles different cable types, particle sizes and production volumes, selecting the most suitable technology is essential to optimise plant performance.
In addition to improving the recovery of copper and other non-ferrous metals, a properly configured sorting system can help reduce valuable material losses, minimise reprocessing requirements and manage variations in the incoming material stream more effectively.
When selecting cable recycling equipment, four main factors should be considered: particle size, processing capacity, the required purity level and integration with the existing recycling line.
Particle size is a critical factor, as the material must be prepared according to the cable type and the sorting technology used downstream. Processing capacity should also be matched to the expected input volume and the variability of the material stream.
The selected technology should be capable of delivering high recovery rates and purity levels, particularly when processing copper.
Finally, the equipment should integrate seamlessly with the complete recycling process, from shredding and granulation through to material separation and quality control.
The choice between SPS small purpose sorter and MPS multi purpose sorter depends primarily on particle size, production capacity and the characteristics of the material stream. Both systems incorporate advanced optical sorting technologies but are designed to meet different requirements within cable recycling.
The SPS system is specifically designed for sorting fine granulates ranging from 3 to 20 mm, where highly accurate separation is essential to improve the recovery of copper and other non-ferrous metals.
Available with 600 mm and 1,200 mm belt widths, SPS features RGB and inductive sensors as standard, with optional NIR technology for specific applications. This configuration makes it particularly suitable for the precise sorting of cable granulates and non-ferrous metals, producing metal fractions with a low level of impurities.
The MPS system is designed for recycling lines processing larger volumes of material or more heterogeneous material streams.
Available with belt widths ranging from 1,000 to 3,000 mm, it comes equipped with RGB and inductive sensors as standard and offers optional NIR technology. In addition, it incorporates exclusive features such as Deep Learning Artificial Intelligence to expand material recognition capabilities and an MWIR sensor for specialised applications, including the sorting of specific black polymers.
These capabilities make the MPS system particularly suitable for high-capacity applications involving complex material streams that require a flexible sorting configuration.
In cable recycling, even small copper losses can have a significant impact on plant revenue. Conventional separation methods often leave copper mixed with other metals, reducing the value of the recovered material and increasing reprocessing costs.
Eldan Sorting offers SPS and MPS optical sorting systems specifically designed for cable granulates, WEEE and non-ferrous metals. These solutions help improve copper purity, reduce material losses and increase the value of recovered fractions, enabling recycling plants to maximise the efficiency of their cable recycling operations.
If you’re looking to improve copper recovery, enhance the quality of your recovered metal fractions and optimise the performance of your cable recycling plant, Eldan Sorting can help you find the right solution for your application.
Our specialists will assess your recycling process and recommend the SPS or MPS configuration that best matches your operational requirements.
Contact our team or request a test using your own material to find out which solution is the best fit for your plant.
