Ambipar opens the largest urban mining plant in Latin America

São Paulo, November 28, 2024 – Ambipar, a global leader in environmental solutions, inaugurated the largest urban mining plant in Latin America, focused on reverse manufacturing of electronics and white goods, on Wednesday (27). Located in São José dos Campos (SP), the new unit increased its capacity from 30,000 tons to 80,000 tons of e-waste per year. In total, the unit has already received R$ 100 million in investments.

The Ambipar unit previously processed small and medium-sized electronics, and with the expansion and new technologies implemented, it now dismantles medium and large-sized equipment, such as stoves, washing machines, and microwaves, as well as products from the brown, blue, and green goods categories.

In this process, seven types of raw materials are separated, including plastic, iron, aluminum, copper, brass, circuit boards, and stainless steel, which are reintroduced into the market to manufacture new products (circular economy).

For devices that store confidential data, such as computers and cell phones, the entire reverse manufacturing process ensures customer security, with shredding of devices into sizes ranging from 1 to 8 millimeters for small electronics and 10 to 35 millimeters for other devices. This ensures that the data is eliminated. The entire dismantling process is filmed and audited by the customers and Ambipar.

“Our goal is to contribute to reducing greenhouse gas emissions in the atmosphere and soil contamination. The recovery and proper treatment of this type of waste helps preserve natural resources and prevents the extraction of new raw materials needed for industry,” explains Marcelo Oliveira, Head of Ambipar Environment’s urban mining unit.

The expansion of the plant is in line with the challenges of the circular economy in Brazil. The National Solid Waste Policy (PNRS) establishes a goal for manufacturers and importers to collect 17% of discarded products from final consumers by 2025, based on the volume of products sold in 2018.

Brazil generated 2.4 million tons of electronic waste in 2022, according to data from the United Nations (UN) Global E-Waste Monitor.

About Ambipar

Ambipar is a Brazilian multinational and global leader in environmental solutions. It invests in and operates projects focused on decarbonization, circular economy, energy transition, and environmental regeneration. Present in over 40 countries, with more than 20,000 employees, the company has shares listed on B3 (AMBP3) and the New York Stock Exchange (AMBI). To learn more, click here.

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